On sale, I actually went to my local HF to pick one up and they had it for $109.
Not sure how much longer the sale is going for, but I just wanted to share.
This is my first welder and I just wanted to get something cheap to tinker with. 
http://www.harborfreight.com/90-amp-flux-wire-welder-98871.html
fun toys... i've got an older italian made HF 120a 220v... doesn't get a lot of use... but it's nice to have when I need it... like today getting that beastly stuck bolt off
I have a little Lincoln. Paid for itself many times over in repairs made. Mine is a 4 power setting 110V. Make sure it doesn't turn on the power to the tip until the trigger is pulled, I've heard some have power on when the main power switch is on, then the trigger simply feeds wire. For your first project I suggest finding a little abondoned shopping cart & converting it to a welding cart. The cart is much happier here than out in that ditch on the way home.
Yeah the tip is on when the power is on, I didn't know that wasn't normal.
I guess that's what I get for buying a cheap welder. 
e_pie wrote: Yeah the tip is on when the power is on, I didn't know that wasn't normal. I guess that's what I get for buying a cheap welder.
I have a similar model. I have heard tell that you can install a switch so that the wire isn't hot till the trigger is pulled. Haven't looked into that myself though I probably ought to.
In reply to e_pie:
I had one of those that ended up on the curb last time I moved. Really wasn't much good for anything. I suggest you take it back and save up for a decent MIG. After I threw out the HF welder I bought an Eastwood 110v MIG. It is a great hobbyist welder for not a lot of money. I've used it on the sheet metal on my car restoration, as well as some pretty thick stuff that I used to fabricate a special bracket for my floor lift.
I did some welding for an acquaintance using a welder with an always hot tip. Drove me nuts. Closest I ever got to arc burn. Because of that "feature" starting a bead is a bitch. Absolutely mandatory to have an auto-dark helmet.I was used to my big Hobart, which was vastly superior in every aspect.
Yeah I bought an autodark helmet with the welder.
I got my little Lincoln flux box for $125 used. It had handled maybe half a spool of wire before the guy needed a MIG and found one at a good price. I knew it was a good deal, so I snatched it up within about 15 minutes of him posting it. I finally started using it a couple of days ago, and now i can't think of anything else I want to do but put 2 pieces of useless metal together to make one piece of something awesome.
I got one about a year ago to fix the subframe mounts on my E36. It sticks 2 pieces of metal together, its not pretty but it works. For 1/4 the price of anything else new that's not too bad.
My cheapo welder is always hot at the tip, but since I welded with a rod for 30 years first, it isn't a big deal. It's done everything from 1/4 plate to sheet metal with no problems.
One thing a cheap welder will do is make you a better welder. The machine isn't going to help you in any way. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a stick, and any MIG is as easy as pie. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a cheap MIG, and you can use an expensive one with your eyes closed.
SupraWes wrote: I got one about a year ago to fix the subframe mounts on my E36. It sticks 2 pieces of metal together, its not pretty but it works. For 1/4 the price of anything else new that's not too bad.
That is about what I was going to say. Surprising in how well the welds have held up just so long as you don't go for looks.
I put a contacter in mine so that the wire isnt hot until you pull the trigger. Best mod i can think of, makes it way easier to set up for a weld if you dont have to worry about bumping into the piece before you pull the trigger.
Vigo wrote: I put a contacter in mine so that the wire isnt hot until you pull the trigger. Best mod i can think of, makes it way easier to set up for a weld if you dont have to worry about bumping into the piece before you pull the trigger.
Product URL?
Toyman01 wrote: My cheapo welder is always hot at the tip, but since I welded with a rod for 30 years first, it isn't a big deal. It's done everything from 1/4 plate to sheet metal with no problems. One thing a cheap welder will do is make you a better welder. The machine isn't going to help you in any way. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a stick, and any MIG is as easy as pie. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a cheap MIG, and you can use an expensive one with your eyes closed.
So it's like racing a really slow, floppy car.
Keeping an eye on the thread..
I'm wanting to buy a welder in the next month or two.
Harbor Freight just sent out a pretty good sale
e_pie wrote:Toyman01 wrote: My cheapo welder is always hot at the tip, but since I welded with a rod for 30 years first, it isn't a big deal. It's done everything from 1/4 plate to sheet metal with no problems. One thing a cheap welder will do is make you a better welder. The machine isn't going to help you in any way. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a stick, and any MIG is as easy as pie. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a cheap MIG, and you can use an expensive one with your eyes closed.So it's like racing a really slow, floppy car.
TRoglodyte wrote:e_pie wrote:Toyman01 wrote: My cheapo welder is always hot at the tip, but since I welded with a rod for 30 years first, it isn't a big deal. It's done everything from 1/4 plate to sheet metal with no problems. One thing a cheap welder will do is make you a better welder. The machine isn't going to help you in any way. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a stick, and any MIG is as easy as pie. Learn to put down a pretty bead with a cheap MIG, and you can use an expensive one with your eyes closed.So it's like racing a really slow, floppy car.
FTFY! 
TIGMOTORSPORTS wrote: Keeping an eye on the thread.. I'm wanting to buy a welder in the next month or two. Harbor Freight just sent out a pretty good sale
Buy the best machine you can afford. It will do what you want it to with a little practice and learning.
I think a I see a Welder on the XMAS list for this year. I'm tired of seeing you guys build cool E36 M3. I wanna build some cool E36 M3 too 
The Eastwood MIG looks good and Tractor supply had some Hobarts just waiting to plucked from the shelves . . .
I can't decide on 110v or 220v. I have both in the garage. The 220v was a requirement when we built the house 
Thanks for the edit Toyman. e_pie- remember its all about Penetration.
Product URL?
It was just something my friend gave me. Anything rated for the volts and amps should do it. Basically a high current relay. I think the welder is about 40v.
Strike_Zero wrote: I think a I see a Welder on the XMAS list for this year. I'm tired of seeing you guys build cool E36 M3. I wanna build some cool E36 M3 too
From everything I've read you will want a 220v if you have the hookups for it.
e_pie wrote:Strike_Zero wrote: I think a I see a Welder on the XMAS list for this year. I'm tired of seeing you guys build cool E36 M3. I wanna build some cool E36 M3 tooFrom everything I've read you will want a 220v if you have the hookups for it.
Agree. A 220v welder has more flexibility and isn't terribly more expensive. I think the Eastwood one comes with a hand reel to weld aluminum, for example, something I haven't found on any 110v welder.
I love their little inverter stick welder.
I'd buy that way before buying the little FCAW machine
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