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I've purchased a few different cheap flux core MIG/stick welders and this model as well as the ARCCAPTAIN are the best built and most reliable ones for around $120 (sometimes more, sometimes less since they often go on sale, but the average price of these similar models are around $120). The Harbor Freight Titanium 125 also works equally as well and also sells for around $99-$149 depending on the numerous sales HF always runs, and it is much easier to warranty exchange if you ever have a problem so I'd suggest the Titanium 125 as your 1st choice if you live within 50 miles of any Harbor Freight, then this Yeswelder 135A if you don't live near a HF. Either way, buy the 3pk or 5pk of .YESWELDER E71T-11 030 flux core wire on Amazon because it costs half the price of HF spools and seems to work equally as well. Don't get the E71T-GS variant because that is more brittle and you can't make multiple passes with the GS variant otherwise you'll create porocity and brittle welds that are more prone to crack. the 11 variant can be used to make multiple passes without porocity and without becoming brittle.
Considering MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas, and this claims to be gasless MIG, I'm not anticipating high quality. Maybe it's some cheap Chinesium implementation of FCAW, flux core arc welding. It does mention a flux core. (Which would provide the gas atmosphere but require specific welding supplies.)
Considering MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas, and this claims to be gasless MIG, I'm not anticipating high quality. Maybe it's some cheap Chinesium implementation of FCAW, flux core arc welding. It does mention a flux core. (Which would provide the gas atmosphere but require specific welding supplies.)
A lot of old timers who have only used traditional MIG, or tried flux core MIG from 20yrs ago when the technology sucked, will have the same preconceived notions that you're having. I also thought the same having only used a stick welder my whole life and hearing from all the other oldtimer "pros" that flux core welders were the worst thing in the world and a complete waste of money! Well I recently bought 3 different brands of sub $100 flux core MIG welders and they all work surprisingly well with no proocity, and they also work a lot better than traditional MIG when welding outdoors in breezy conditions because the flux core is much better at shielding the weld area when it is windy whereas a traditional MIG welder gas shroud isn't as effective in those conditions. The flux core technology seems to have advanced and completely caught up, and they are a very affordable way to get into welding now. I have a Seesii $62 version of this model, I have this exact model, and I have the ARCCAPTAIN version of this model, all are 110V .030 flux core wire MIG/TIG/stick welders and they all cost under $100 each lol! They produce welds equal to my good old 220V Lincoln stick welder that costs literally 10x the price! I bought the Seesii $62 one first as a joke just to see how terrible it was, but when I tried it I realized I must have been living in the past parroting the "flux core sucks" statements without any current proof because it actually made nice consistent welds that penetrate butt joints of steel plates up to around 3/16" without having to notch it first...and from a 110V outlet!
I've purchased a few different cheap flux core MIG/stick welders and this model as well as the ARCCAPTAIN are the best built and most reliable ones for around $120 (sometimes more, sometimes less since they often go on sale, but the average price of these similar models are around $120).
Any thoughts on a cheap, next step up iversion in case I someday want to use gas (I actually have a bottle)? Something that comes with or can take a gas line?
Any thoughts on a cheap, next step up iversion in case I someday want to use gas (I actually have a bottle)? Something that comes with or can take a gas line?
ARCCAPTAIN has models around $300-$400 (such as the MIG200, a model I've been considering upgrading to) that can use gas and those have lots of independent people reviewing them on YouTube showing how well they work, as well as people making "how well it still works after 1 year" type videos. Those seem to be the most feature-packed inexpensive welders that are still reliable and actually output close to the claimed power. My Seesii $62 welder outputs roughly 1/2 the claimed power so I have to turn it up way past the recommended setting to get it to the proper amp/voltage but when I do it works well. Harbor Freight midrange models in the $400-$800 range also seem to have lots of good reviews for both functionality and reliability but they cost a bit more than ARCCAPTAIN, however HF return/exchange is WAY EASIER to just swap in store immediately rather than having to ship any other brand and wait weeks for it to get fixed and returned, sometimes footing you with the shipping cost too.
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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank HeyGuysChrisFixHere
Any thoughts on a cheap, next step up iversion in case I someday want to use gas (I actually have a bottle)? Something that comes with or can take a gas line?
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