A little rust repair job I did a few years ago… :D

dhutton01

dhutton01

Backyard Hack
tomsteve said:
im gonna go with one of these
www.harborfreight.com

170 Amp-DC, 240v, MIG/Flux Cored Welder

Amazing deals on this 170 Amp-Dc, 240V Mig/Flux Cored Welder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
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My very first welder was a HarborFreight 125amp flux core mig welder. Paid $100 dollars for it. It served it's purpose getting my feet wet burning metal together. It still works so I keep it around if an outside, in the wind project comes up.
 
I just ordered an Esab Rogue 190 Pro Mig welder. Lot of features for the $$. Want it for light end stuff including sheet metal.
I had good luck and was impressed with a Esab Rogue 200 Pro Tig/stick that I bought about 6 months ago so hope the Mig performs as well.
I had a HTP Pro Pulse 220, Didn't like it, sold it.
 
Chris_Hamilton said:
What about it did you not like? I've used a couple of pulse MIG's and really liked them. Was thinking about getting the HTP Pro Pulse, would love to hear your thoughts about it.
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What machines did you try? Only pulse Mig's in that range I am aware of are Miller 255 and HTP has the 220 and a larger powered one.
I ordered the PP220 because I primaily wanted to try the Mig synergic / pulse features. It is so-so stick welder and I never intended to Tig weld with it because I have two dedicated AC/DC Tig machines and one DC unit. Also had a Millermatic 250 Mig which I since sold.
I can buy almost three Rogue 190's for what I paid for that HTP 220. Not saying the HTP was a bad machine but I think the pulse is over rated, and unnecessary for the light end of general steel fab work. Probably useful on heavy stuff , out of position but the HTP 220 really doesn't have the power for that.
I hated the program and the user interface, dial to .120" thickness, for example, and 4,5,6? different programs show up. And no doubt all sorts of +- volts, speed, etc. I don't have time for all that nonsense. To me synergic should be a lot easier. I had the HTP side by side with a Miller 211 for a while at a friends race car shop and I ended up choosing the Miller for ease of use and performance every time. I have other thoughts regarding the Miller 211 but I am only comparing performance here.
There is nothing wrong with short circuit Mig on metal thickness 1/4"and under if you know how to use it correctly.

I was glad to see the HTP machine go out the door, it earned me zero dollars.
Personal opinion here, I have over 50 years experience welding all sorts of metal with all sorts of welding processes.
You may have a different experience but I think for auto work the HTP is a waste of money and time. Again, only IMO.
 
metalman said:
What machines did you try? Only pulse Mig's in that range I am aware of are Miller 255 and HTP has the 220 and a larger powered one.
I ordered the PP220 because I primaily wanted to try the Mig synergic / pulse features. It is so-so stick welder and I never intended to Tig weld with it because I have two dedicated AC/DC Tig machines and one DC unit. Also had a Millermatic 250 Mig which I since sold.
I can buy almost three Rogue 190's for what I paid for that HTP 220. Not saying the HTP was a bad machine but I think the pulse is over rated, and unnecessary for the light end of general steel fab work. Probably useful on heavy stuff , out of position but the HTP 220 really doesn't have the power for that.
I hated the program and the user interface, dial to .120" thickness, for example, and 4,5,6? different programs show up. And no doubt all sorts of +- volts, speed, etc. I don't have time for all that nonsense. To me synergic should be a lot easier. I had the HTP side by side with a Miller 211 for a while at a friends race car shop and I ended up choosing the Miller for ease of use and performance every time. I have other thoughts regarding the Miller 211 but I am only comparing performance here.
There is nothing wrong with short circuit Mig on metal thickness 1/4"and under if you know how to use it correctly.

I was glad to see the HTP machine go out the door, it earned me zero dollars.
Personal opinion here, I have over 50 years experience welding all sorts of metal with all sorts of welding processes.
You may have a different experience but I think for auto work the HTP is a waste of money and time. Again, only IMO.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your thoughts Ernie. Machines I've used were both high dollar ones at the last I-CAR class I took. A Pro-Spot pulse MIG and another one whose name escapes me. They were really nice for HSLA steel, but seeing I'm not doing collision anymore and don't have any plans to do so in the future I probably don't need one. Thanks for helping me decide. :)
 
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