The Ford Barn

zoegrant · 11-25-2017, 10:53 AM

bbb

Herman Munster · 11-25-2017, 03:54 PM

49clubcoupe · 12-09-2017, 03:09 PM

Stay away from hazard fraught I mean harbor freight. Do yourself a favor, buy your last tool first.

Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk

Dave Castle · 12-09-2017, 03:29 PM

Some of their stuff is fine, I still have a grinder I bought from them 15 years ago, use it daily. Do not think I would invest in one of their welders or compressors though.

Crankster · 12-09-2017, 05:00 PM

It's my understanding HF has upped their game in recent years in terms of quality, they already made inroads on "market share". For a lot of hobbyists it doesn't make much sense to spend bucks on specialized tools that won't be used often.

frank long island · 12-09-2017, 06:04 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

they just came out with a new line of welders that are supposed to be very good but I will stick to my miller 135 hasn't failed me yet although I would like a mig/tig setup

Ole Don · 12-11-2017, 12:02 PM

Look to Miller, or Hobart. Spend a few bucks more, and have trouble free welding for the rest of your life. Breakdowns on weekends are never good. Ask about future sales, both companies have unbeatable sales about once a year.

tinman080 · 12-11-2017, 03:18 PM

I used Miller Mig welders in the body shops for years. I've had a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 170 mig welder for 4 years. NO ISSUES, no real difference in weld quality from the Miller. If their newest line of HF welders have been improved at all they should be extremely good welders. I gave $169.00 for mine, have 4 years use building cars, no repairs whatever. I've welded 20 gauge up to 3/8'' plate. It's pretty handy.

JeffB2 · 12-11-2017, 04:36 PM

The brand of wire can make a difference too,check for ratings and opinions.

Herman Munster · 12-11-2017, 10:44 PM

Buy whichever one isn't made in China.

Bubsyouruncle · 12-14-2017, 10:23 PM

Buy "cheap" and you get what you pay for. IMHO.

46international · 12-23-2017, 09:19 AM

With some of the cheaper welders you have to watch out because they don't have a high current relay to shut off the welding current when you let go of the trigger. Letting go of the trigger just turns off the wire feed not the welding current also. This makes it a lot harder to fill holes when welding. Try to get a good brand name welder and you can't go wrong.

rotorwrench · 12-23-2017, 10:08 AM

I always get one that I can go to the local welding supply or on line and buy parts for. Wire feed stuff wears and rubber stuff deteriorates over time. Switches & solenoids also can give trouble over time. If you find one that does all that you want it to and you think the price is high, then just keep looking on line till you find a price you can afford for the same item. Many times you can get a Cadillac for just little more than a Chevy. If you like to buy the cheapest stuff available, then be prepared to throw it away and buy another when it breaks and can't get the little part that gave out. If it doesn't work well for what you want it to do, it will set there and collect dust.

11-25-2017, 10:53 AM	#1
zoegrant Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: tolland CT Posts: 773	bbb Last edited by zoegrant; 11-25-2017 at 11:02 AM.

11-25-2017, 03:54 PM	#2
Herman Munster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW WA state. Posts: 564	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig __________________ 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 292 V8 with Ford-o-Matic

12-09-2017, 03:09 PM	#3
49clubcoupe Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Grace Idaho Posts: 21	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig Stay away from hazard fraught I mean harbor freight. Do yourself a favor, buy your last tool first. Sent from my VS835 using Tapatalk

12-09-2017, 03:29 PM	#4
Dave Castle Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Carmel, Ca Posts: 269	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig Some of their stuff is fine, I still have a grinder I bought from them 15 years ago, use it daily. Do not think I would invest in one of their welders or compressors though.

12-09-2017, 05:00 PM	#5
Crankster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 563	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig It's my understanding HF has upped their game in recent years in terms of quality, they already made inroads on "market share". For a lot of hobbyists it doesn't make much sense to spend bucks on specialized tools that won't be used often.

12-09-2017, 06:04 PM	#6
frank long island Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: westbury ny Posts: 854	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) they just came out with a new line of welders that are supposed to be very good but I will stick to my miller 135 hasn't failed me yet although I would like a mig/tig setup

12-11-2017, 12:02 PM	#7
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig Look to Miller, or Hobart. Spend a few bucks more, and have trouble free welding for the rest of your life. Breakdowns on weekends are never good. Ask about future sales, both companies have unbeatable sales about once a year.

12-11-2017, 03:18 PM	#8
tinman080 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Forest, Virginia Posts: 250	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig I used Miller Mig welders in the body shops for years. I've had a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 170 mig welder for 4 years. NO ISSUES, no real difference in weld quality from the Miller. If their newest line of HF welders have been improved at all they should be extremely good welders. I gave $169.00 for mine, have 4 years use building cars, no repairs whatever. I've welded 20 gauge up to 3/8'' plate. It's pretty handy. __________________ Just Passin' Thru.....Slowly!

12-11-2017, 04:36 PM	#9
JeffB2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,417	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig The brand of wire can make a difference too,check for ratings and opinions.

12-11-2017, 10:44 PM	#10
Herman Munster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SW WA state. Posts: 564	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig Buy whichever one isn't made in China. __________________ 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan 292 V8 with Ford-o-Matic

12-14-2017, 10:23 PM	#11
Bubsyouruncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Gurnee, Illinois Posts: 270	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig Buy "cheap" and you get what you pay for. IMHO.

12-23-2017, 09:19 AM	#12
46international Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 97	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig With some of the cheaper welders you have to watch out because they don't have a high current relay to shut off the welding current when you let go of the trigger. Letting go of the trigger just turns off the wire feed not the welding current also. This makes it a lot harder to fill holes when welding. Try to get a good brand name welder and you can't go wrong.

12-23-2017, 10:08 AM	#13
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,455	Re: Harbor freight vs eastwood mig I always get one that I can go to the local welding supply or on line and buy parts for. Wire feed stuff wears and rubber stuff deteriorates over time. Switches & solenoids also can give trouble over time. If you find one that does all that you want it to and you think the price is high, then just keep looking on line till you find a price you can afford for the same item. Many times you can get a Cadillac for just little more than a Chevy. If you like to buy the cheapest stuff available, then be prepared to throw it away and buy another when it breaks and can't get the little part that gave out. If it doesn't work well for what you want it to do, it will set there and collect dust.