533
people found this helpful, as of 2023
ranked #32,448 most helpful
out of 571,544,897 reviews
★★★★★
Amazing Welds, A Little Powerhouse
I was skeptical about buying this welder because it is so competitively priced. I've been looking at welders for a couple of months for some little projects. I kept going back and forth between Miller and Lincoln but could not understand how they justify the prices. But I needed something immediately, Next day thanks to Amazon the welder and rod is on my porch. First I fixed my trailer, burning a couple of pounds of 6013 rod at the max current welding 1/4" channel to 3/8" pipe. The strike is easy, it flowed so nice I was actually proud of the welds. Then I went and spent 5 hours welding the structure to a 50' x 13' addition to my barn. I had already tacked everything together with my Hobart Mig. But the welds are just crap. The high tensile wire with flux does nothing but stick metal together. I started with 6011 rod on 16ga. square tubing, trusses, and purlins. I adjusted the amps from 55, 75, 100, 130. The arc was quick but the rod just wouldn't flow like the 6013. In was so hot it would burn through the steal. When I ran at too low an amp, the rod would stick. After a couple of pounds, I decided to go get the 6013. I adjusted the amps to 90 and this thing flowed like butter. The welds were strong, the rod flowed evenly, starting the arc was fantastically easy and I'm telling you this little jewel is a welding beast. The best part is the thing weighs nothing and runs on 110 volts. I cut my teeth on the 220 Volt Lincoln which requires a fortune in lead wire to reach. The problem with Lincoln is the welder is now over $300 and I'm not sure how they justify this price for 40 year old technology. The leads with the machine are longer than my mig making it no problem to reach 8'. I eventually attached it to my ladder and just ran up and down the structure. My welds were horizontal, vertical, and upside down on all galvanized metal. Any bad welds were attributed to the person welding and not the welder. Best tool purchase I have made in years. I'm just absolutely amazed at how well this welder worked.
July 2019 · Tools and Home Improvement · verified purchase