Experience with mig welders?

[Dave588]

I wanted some feedback on mig welders regarding warranties. I was told that harbor freight has a service plan on something like a vulcan migmax that allows you to exchange the welder if its got issues.
I was wondering if anyone had used their warranty or service plan on their welder. Not just harbor freight but other manufacturers such as Lincoln or miller.
My concern is that buying a welder for hobby type uses, the equipment might sit in garage for entire warranty period between uses.

[modok]

I use transformer type Migs,
Older Hobarts & Millers
I have never needed any repairs.
If they do need work, they are easy to work on anyway.

there were two times I THOUGHT it was broke.
One time I got a rock stuck in the gas solenoid valve, removed rock, reassembled.
The other time, The switch was in-between positions. didn't realize until after I took it apart tho.
20 years, three machines, that's the only problems

Warranties are stupid. If it broke I don't want another one.

At work I use a Lincoln, 5 or 6 years old, it's been problem free as well.

My brother got an eastwood. I don't like it because it's a gas hog and sometimes shocks the operator, but it welds fine, like a 140T, probably because they copied that.

My neighbor got a vulcan, it's also a gas hog, but works fine so far.
So light weight, there must be nothing inside the box.

[Q-Dog]

Do yourself a favor and buy a name brand. Miller, Hobart, Victor, ESAB. Some day the warranty will run out. Bonus if the gun is Tweco or Miller compatible, as those parts are in practically all welding supply stores.

The museum where I volunteer bought a Vulcan machine. It probably sat in the box, unopened, for 9 months before we used it. It welds ... OK. After a couple of months we had an issue with the tip adapter and the neck of the gun and could not get replacement parts ... had to replace the entire gun and lead all the way to the machine. Of course we had to wait a few weeks for that to come in. And it was out of warranty too.

I recently refurbished an old Century unit with new trigger switch, new liner and new rollers. Welds like new. Machine is no longer made. Parts are still available. This was for my Dad.

I bought a Hobart Handler 140, barely used, for myself. The guy wanted to learn how to weld, then left the machine to sit in his shed. Perfect machine for automotive body work and light around the house use. Parts in the gun handle are replaceable. After several years it still works like new. Loaned it to the museum while the Vulcan was out of commission. Zero issues.

The Hobart is available at lots of big box stores like Northern Tool, Tractor Supply, some home centers.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[jspbtown]

I bought a Campbell Hausefeld from KMart over 20 years ago and I have used it to repair things and build VW dunebuggies. Its a flux core welder and it certainly has it challenges but it has performed flawlessly (for what it is) and has never had an issue.

[Chinaclipper]

[orwell84]

I bought this welder in 1997 from a real welding shop. Still going strong. The one time I thought is was broken, I took it all apart.

Turns out this had nothing to do with the welder not working. The tap switch was between positions but I was lucky to have found this. Repaired a chewed piece of wire insulation then done.

I have lots of crap tools. My Harbor Freight body hammers are perfect for when you want to hit a hammer with another hammer. But I tend to get good stuff for things I use a lot. Having a friendly neighborhood welding shop to get parts, gas, supplies and advice is worth it too.

[Chickensoup]

out of all of the "big 3" styles of welders. my favorite? TIG!
_________________
-'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

[raygreenwood]

[Dave588]

[modok]

great for sheetmetal.

[infiniteLoop]

All welders are pretty much vastly different. What type of gun do you want? Stepped or variable voltage control?

If repairability is your main concern, I recommend looking at a HTP welder. If efficiency is a concern ,look into a inverter welder.All transformer welders have a board in them for wire speed which can fail as well.