Welder - What's your thoughts on this cheap combo?

[crabjoe]

1st let me say I've never welded a thing in my life, unless you want to call a few spot welds in 7th grade metal shop welding... And that was probably 35 years ago.

2nd, I do have some friends that weld on a fairly regular bases because of their job as mechanics... One even fabricates stuff for his work.

With that said, I think I want a welder. I've always wanted to learn how to weld, and now my old Camry needs a new exhaust... So I'm figuring it's the perfect time to get a cheap welder.

I wanted some kind of combo welder, and that lead me to HF's Titanium Ultimate 200. It did flux, mig, stick and DC tig. Then I wanted a plasma cutter and I want to do all this on the cheap, but something that's half decent for home usage.

With some limited research, I came to the conclusion, to get a Mig welder and a combo plasma cutter.. The Titanium Mig 170 (can do aluminum with a spool gun) and the Amico CTS-160, a combo plasma, stick, and DC tig unit. They're both 120/240v units and supposedly the CTS-160 also has high frequency start for Tig.

What's your thought on this setup? Does it seem like a 1/2 decent home setup that would allow me to do pretty much anything except for AC Tig for aluminum?

BTW, my 2 friends that weld keep telling me to look for a used Miller or the likes and forget about plasma and what not. But I don't want to go searching for something decent used that might come along and I like new.. So please don't tell me to look at used established brands.

Remember, my setup will be used very infrequently... I have a feeling, unless I pick up welding as a hobby, I probably might only use the equipment for 1 project a year, if that. Still the reason I want to buy is, since I need a new exhaust, why not spend the money on tools versus paying someone else? Plus, I've always wanted to learn to weld.

Thanks!

 

[lis2323]

Take your car in to get the exhaust fixed.

Buy a welder but don’t expect to use it to fix your exhaust as a first project.

 

[bob15]

I think it is a waste of money. You have survived for 35 years without one, why get it to do maybe one project in a year when you have friends that are welders?

Pay to have the exhaust fixed. An exhaust isn't the project for learning how to weld.

Take a welding class at your local community college and see if you like it before buying a welder and it's associated equipment (helmet, filler material, gas, etc)

 

[u2slow]

I will be the black sheep. Ever since I learned to weld, I've done my own exhaust repairs. Its light gauge, so you don't a powerful machine. You also learn good prep because exhaust is always rusty.

I would skip the multi-process... get a basic wire feed (flux core) that lets you add gas later. If you like welding and upgrade to a larger/fancier machine later, a small wire feed is still handy for small jobs.

 

[jonesg]

I have an ac/dc tig, stick, plasma cutter, combo rig, chinese.
I wish I had kept my old 120v lincoln mig.
Maybe grab some junkyard mufflers to play with, you'll be blowing holes in that thin stuff.

 

[sberry]

210 class feeder and a gas bottle. I agree that an exhaust is a tuff starter job but a guy can do stuff impossible without one.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Im sure that combo would be fine for light personal use, but expect to put in 10-20 hours of practice before you can make a satisfactory repair on exhaust. Exhaust ***** to weld when its rusty and thin. You can replace the entire exhaust or just sections for less than the price of a welder and no welding is needed it will all bolt and clamp together. Im not saying dont buy a welder, but this is not the kind of first time project you want

 

[The Cobbler]

yeah. I wouldn't want to tackle exhaust work as a learning to weld project .
get the welder, but practice on clean metal, on a bench , where you can get comfortable and work flat .

 

[MarkG]

I agree totally with Bob15. Have your friend do your exhaust and save your money and frustration. You definitely don't sound to me (from your own description) like someone who has the drive/desire to put in the hours needed to actually learn to weld correctly, especially on thin-wall rusty material like exhaust tubing. I can't think of a worse material to learn on.

On one hand, you say you've 'always wanted to learn to weld', but then you say you will use it 'very infrequently', like once a YEAR----which is it?? To learn how to weld CORRECTLY will require VERY frequent use, even hours daily when learning, in order to learn to do it right.

If you don't have that drive or desire to put in hours of practice, just put the money into a new exhaust and be done with it. Then it will be done right, you won't be frustrated and be stuck trying to sell your seldom-used welder right away.

Nothing personal, but from your description, that's what it sounds like to me. But, by all means, if you have all the extra cash burning a hole in your pocket, suit yourself.

 

[gearhead1]

You said not ‘used from an established brand’. If it’s something you really want to do, I’d consider a new welder from an established brand.

You can get a Hobart 140 MIG for $551.50 as compared to the HF Titanium 170 for $520. Yes it is 30 less amps, but for an extra $31.50 you get a trusted brand. To me, it’d be well worth it.

https://store.cyberweld.com/hobhan135wit1.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...onal-welder-with-120240-volt-input-64805.html

I’d hold off on the plasma/combo unit. Plasma is good, but there are other many cheaper ways to cut metal. Get a portaband. As others said, exhaust pipe is on the thin side and may be difficult project to start with. You’ll learn the thinner the material, the less gap you can bridge. I’d start with the Hobart 140 and some 1/8” steel to practice on and go from there.

 

[crabjoe]

On one hand, you say you've 'always wanted to learn to weld', but then you say you will use it 'very infrequently', like once a YEAR----which is it??

It's both.. Just because someone doesn't do something on a regular bases doesn't mean they don't want to learn how to do it.

For example... I always wanted to learn how to make restaurant quality pizza. Last year, that was the thing I learned. Not only can I make one hella good NY style pizza.... I'm talking dough and sauce made at home, but even learned how to make mozzarella cheese. For NY style, I use store bought, but because I learned how to make fresh mozzarella, I now make a mean neapolitan pie too. I had to buy a stinkin pizza oven (Gets to over 900f and can cook a pie in 60 -90 seconds) for that. And as I expect will happen with welding, once I got it figured out, I rarely make pizzas at home from scratch. But I now know how.

Another example.. I wanted to learn how to install HVAC.. Got an EPA card, bought all the tools, even a Refrigerant Recovery Machine... took out my AC unit and installed a heat pump. I doubt I'll be doing anything similar even a few times a decade. But I learned it. With my friends and family knowing I can do it, they now call me when their heat or AC flakes out..

And with wanting to learn to weld ... This I've been wanting to learn for about 20 years because I use to break a lot of stuff 4 wheeling ... And although I don't every go wheeling these days, I still have that urge to learn welding... Needing a new exhaust seems like a perfect excuse to now learn.

Heck, I just ordered an ATV for my son.. I have a feeling it's going to need some welding down the road..

Seems like I should get a welder. And being no one seems to say the Titanium is a bad welder, it looks like I'll be picking one up this weekend..

Maybe ... depending on how this exhaust goes, I might build a grapple for my tractor. Always wanted a grapple.

Thanks all!

 

[sberry]

Is the HF 240v? The amps are really misleading, a 170 is 2x the machine a 140 is. It will run a larger wire. 023 is fine in a 140 for exhaust and sheet but 030 gives a machine a lot more punch for heavier work.
I am a Hobart super fan but between the 2 bigger is a lot better, 2x in this case. Neither is really a grapple builder but these are machines I would want even if I had others. I have about 10 machines, use one in the hf class for about 90% of it.

 

[BlackLS2]

I have had an HF Unlimited 200 for a year. Mostly use it on 220v, but it rocks 110v when necessary. Lots and lots of stick and flux. Zero complaints with it. It really likes Lincoln 211 .030 flux wire.

Exhaust pipe is tough, but not impossible. I say go for it. Be safe, hit YouTube, practice, and mind your fuel lines and gas tank.

BTW...Cyberweld has great prices on Jackson AD helmets...

 

[sberry]

The return can be really good on these machines if you are a fix it guy and the price has really tanked with the machine getting better. Its really not worth them building so many uber cheap junk machines when one that's pretty good is only slightly more costly now. Secret is they use a lot of parts across a lot of models especially in semi brand semi generic that gets the rebrand.
The market for the 5$ India adjustable went away with the advent of a real good China can retail for 11 or less. Proto is well north of 40, WF in the 20+ range at best. Welders have got more like this with the last wave of tech and mfg improvements. Paint it blue and couldn't tell the difference.

 

[jd_1138]

Im sure that combo would be fine for light personal use, but expect to put in 10-20 hours of practice before you can make a satisfactory repair on exhaust. Exhaust ***** to weld when its rusty and thin. You can replace the entire exhaust or just sections for less than the price of a welder and no welding is needed it will all bolt and clamp together. Im not saying dont buy a welder, but this is not the kind of first time project you want

Yep, I think I'd build a basic mini bike frame or something for my first project. The metal will be clean and easy to weld, plus it will be out in the open and relatively easy to weld. Plus there will be satisfaction with having built something from scratch that you (or someone smaller) can ride.

I think if you like welding and get the right equipment, you will probably use it more than once a year.

 

[sberry]

The alum is good if you got work or need it for downtime at all hours. But tig is so rare in the general world I can easily do without it, I personally use a little stick but I can as I am a career welder and its so handy portable. My neighbor is a Journeyman/master. Havnt seen him for a welding job but once in last 15 years since he got a 175, guy can run anything, have anything they make, does what he does with the little feeder.
If I was limited to 2 it would be a 180-210 feeder and a DVI inverter stick. It will run a 1/8 lo hy. The little feeder is not for where production and materials time is money but for general maintenance work fix its.

 

[sberry]

I got a 150 and another neighbor picked it up, I said, here is a better hood, he said, I don't care about that, just want to see how much power it had.

 

[chinaclipper]

Hi folks. I just got the titanium 170 HF welder to give me a bit more flexibility. I was running the Hobart Handler 140. It seemed like a pretty good welder for what I needed, but it didn't have much flexibility. The Titanium has separate wire speeds and volts. The Hobart 140 seemed to be tied together; ie, the speed went up according to the volts no matter what. I like the induction too, whatever that is
Question: I do notice that the Titanium Welder seems to start slow, then "picks up" as I weld. A little annoying if your doing just small "taps" on the trigger. Is this just my welder, or do all Titanium 170's do this?

 

[mike93lx]

Completely forget the ideal of running a spool gun on a 170a machine. Not going to end well.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Hi folks. I just got the titanium 170 HF welder to give me a bit more flexibility. I was running the Hobart Handler 140. It seemed like a pretty good welder for what I needed, but it didn't have much flexibility. The Titanium has separate wire speeds and volts. The Hobart 140 seemed to be tied together; ie, the speed went up according to the volts no matter what. I like the induction too, whatever that is
Question: I do notice that the Titanium Welder seems to start slow, then "picks up" as I weld. A little annoying if your doing just small "taps" on the trigger. Is this just my welder, or do all Titanium 170's do this?

I recall on the Miller machine I learned on, start and stop behavior was all configurable. So I'd say it's definitely intentional behavior, whether your particular welder let's you control it or not is something you'll have to check your owners manual for.

 

[liliysdad]

If I only needed a welder once a year...I'd still own a welder. Once you get one, you will find all kinds of things to use it for... and exhaust is a perfect example.

My advice would be to scour Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and the pawn shops for a deal on a good, used Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart machine. A 220v mig machine is handier than a pocket onna shirt.

 

[mike93lx]

1 year late!

brand new user, promoting an outside website. Spam. don't respond, just report

 

[Retroman]

Been wanting a Miller 211 for a while but a good friend has a fab shop for structural steel so been going to him but he is across town and hate having guys that he is paying to work on my stuff.
Just don't know if I have enough of a need to justify the expense.