Welder shopping
 

So I have some rust on my floorboards and inner front fenders on my 1970 220D (115).

I have some other projects that require light welding, and finally need to buy one.

I'm spoiled with work in the past, having a Lincoln generator/arc welder and small 110V mig welder with argon/co2 setup.

I'm not doing much. Welding in some new floor panels and other light metal.

I'm looking at these harbor freight welders, and thinking that's my ticket. My previous 110V miller mig was a little expensive (from work). And don't think I need too much.

Harbor freight has a straight flux 90 amp for around $100 and a 170 amp with gas option for $200. There's also a 180 amp for $300. Need to check the difference between the two larger models.

I think I'll be welding inside, but not 100% sure. So not sure if I need the gas really. More concerned about amps.

What can I get away with and be happy? $100 sounds nice.

Or should I spend the big bucks and get a miller/Lincoln 110v setup?

Thanks in advance.

Here's what I was looking at. From my phone so not sure if it will load.

m.harborfreight.com/welding/mig-flux-welders.html?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

Welder shopping
 

Ok reading up. I'm leading towards the little 90 amp. The others require 240V. Kinda inconvenient.

The large 180 amp has more voltage settings.

One review was saying he added a "bridge rectifier and power factor correction capacitor" to the 90 amp model. In regard to the machine originally using AC current....


Edit: I understand the duty cycles I will get with this type of investment.

For what it's worth, I used a Harbor Freight 90 amp flux core mig when I did the bodywork (lots of rust repair) on my 1983 240D. I have no complaints, but some helpful tips:

1. Do not use the welding wire that comes with the unit. It will work, but you'll get REALLY sloppy welds with a lot of spatter to clean up.
2. Instead, go to Tractor Supply and replace the Harbor Freight wire with Hobart flux core wire. I had significantly better welds with that stuff, with a lot less cleanup.
3. Be prepared to do quite a bit of grinding. Less with the Hobart wire, but still plenty.

Thanks! That does help. I think I'm gonna jump on it. I'll ditch the wire it comes with.

The wire that comes with it will work... kinda. I just found out that the Hobart wire works MUCH better with the unit.

Will do. I think my local store carries Hobart, or I'll find it.

Ditching the Chinese crap wire and going Hobart E71xx Inner Shield is the best path. Hobart or Lincoln (made by Hobart BTW) wire is good stuff.

Be safe, stay out of the smoke plume and wear a good filter mask (one of the silver type).

I bought a wire welder a Sears,it can use gas also.Bought it used,for a $100.I had a Clark stick welder before that,both 110 volt.

That's a good point. I'll check craigslist and email links to Santa.

Your 110 V Mig with 75% Argon is well suited for sheet metal work. Dont run a bead though. Get your patch fitted and clamped in place, then bounce around the patch with a series of tacks. This will prevent warping.

Hope this helps.