I found a Chicago Electric MIG-100 90 AMP Flux Wire Welder for $119. I
have limited experience with wire feed welders and no experience with
any other types. I was hoping to make an iron rod fence and some other
decorative items. Any suggestions as to if this unit will do and if it
is any good?
Thanks
Dave

On 27 Jul 2005 11:49:02 -0700, "pearl" wrote:

I found a Chicago Electric MIG-100 90 AMP Flux Wire Welder for $119. I
have limited experience with wire feed welders and no experience with
any other types. I was hoping to make an iron rod fence and some other
decorative items. Any suggestions as to if this unit will do and if it
is any good?
Thanks
Dave

This one I assume?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44567

I started out with one of those. For what you are doing, they will
work just fine. Just dont try to weld a spare tire carrier on your
trailer with it.....blush.

They are a handy little machine. Some folks have had them fail early.
Mine was abused badly and kept on ticking as I learned on my own. Wire
feed should be set about #6 when using .030 flux core wire. There is
no provision for gas shielding btw..so you will have to wire brush the
spooge off of each weld as you can only use flux core welding wire.

Pick up a package of contact tips when you buy the welder. They are
cheap and you WILL bugger up a few of them as you learn.

Also...look around for a good used Lincoln Weldpak 100, 125, 135 etc
etc. New ones start at around $225 or so and go up from there. They
are better machines. Shrug. Same with the small Hobarts

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lincoln-Electric-Welder-135-amp-MIG-and-Flux-Cored-Wir_W0QQitemZ4396189474QQcategoryZ46413QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lincoln-Electric-Electric-MIG-Pak-15_W0QQitemZ4395317671QQcategoryZ46413QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hobart-135-Flux-...cmdZ ViewItem


Just my opinion..but DONT buy one of the $119 Mig welders on Ebay, and
for two reasons. Shipping will raise the price up considerably, enough
to nearly pay for a new or good used Lincoln/Hobart etc and if it
fails..warranty resolution may be really really problematic

Go to Horrible Freight, buy the mig I linked to, spend the money on
the extended warranty. Its not much, and if it fails in the next two
years, they will simply hand you a new one. (ask if you can keep the
gun and hose G)

You may be tickled with it, or in a year you may be evolved enough in
your skills and welding that you may wish to go to a better machine,
something with gas shielding for example.

btw...if you go to Harbor Freight...pick up one of these when you get
your welder.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...y=67 055&rd=1

They are about $10 and are handy to have.


One of my clients has started selling some welding items you or others
may be interested in.

http://www.allamericanproducts.com/toolng/weldclmp.htm

The corner magnets are freaking marvelous with their off/on switch and
are twice as powerful as the cheapies. And though I couldnt find it on
their website, they have a magnetic level that uses the same off/on
corner magnet that is the tits for doing welding to level, such as you
are wanting to do. Works horizontal/vert/45' I think its about $27.
The corner mags are about $20 each, which is pricy..but are heads and
hands better than the cheapies.

Gunner

Liberals - Cosmopolitan critics, men who are the friends
of every country save their own. Benjamin Disraeli

Gunner,

Thanks for the very informative reply to my question post. Yes I found
it at Harbor Freight, (fairly close to my house) and it was the one you
pointed out. I would not have to pay shipping which keeps the cost
down. I'll look around for the others you mentioned as well, plus
get the holder.

Is the H. F. welder just to light weight to weld on to your trailer, or
was it aluminum? J Speaking of which, will a machine like this weld on
aluminum? (Shows you how little I know).

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.

Dave