On 08 Jun 2004 13:19:32 GMT, (Oakchas) shouted from
the rooftop:


Question:
Harbor freight has a Chicago Electric 200 amp mig unit for sale @ $399.
It ain't a Hobart, Lincoln, or any other brand name... it's their house brand.
Seems it'll take a large spool. seems to have adjustable speed feed, though
it "presets" feed based on amps (and you can adjust from there). 20% duty
cycle at 200 amps. The tips don't appear to be replaceable (replace the entire
weld head and cable cover) but I may be wrong.

If all you're doing is sheet metal, take a look at the Made-in-Italy
Clarke MIG/"gasless" unit that Sears sells.

I bought one for some bodywork welding and it works just dandy- better
than I'd expected. I've welded 1/8" plate and 22 ga sheet with it, all
on gas. I haven't tried the gasless wire yet.

I looked at the HF machines, but the feed mechanism on the Sears unit
looks to be a bit more robust.

HTH.

-Carl
"If you don't have enemies, you don't have character"-Paul Newman