HF basic 220v welders - worth it?

[RatLabGuy]

I've been using a basic 120v weld-pak 100 for awhile, it's been great both for TIG and flux-core. But things come up where I just need more power.

A local guy has what looks like an earlier model of one of these listed on CL for only $100 including a cart and possibly some tips etc.
170 Amp-DC, 240 Volt, MIG/Flux Cored Welder
This is a really basic welder. I generally prefer to "go all out" on these things but for the price it seems worth a shot, and it looks like it's very similar to the unit I'm already used to.
Are these things any good at all? It's hard for me to imagine wanting to > something like 1/4" plates or long stitches.

 

[krehel24]

My father-in-law has the 110 version, it actually works pretty good! He has used the hell out of it with no issues!!

 

[catfishblues]

Not when Eastwood sells such a solid unit for a little more money. For $100, it might be worth the gamble, but that's not even half off. I'd talk him down or hold out for better. Coming from the Lincoln, I think you'll be disappointed. Drive up to Pottsville and check out the Eastwood store.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Not when Eastwood sells such a solid unit for a little more money. For $100, it might be worth the gamble, but that's not even half off. I'd talk him down or hold out for better. Coming from the Lincoln, I think you'll be disappointed. Drive up to Pottsville and check out the Eastwood store.

Well guy says another dude is coming tomorrow so I'm in line at best. And after some questioning, it appears this is an older model (CE 151), and if it's what Google suggests then the manual says it's only 120A max current. Which would be terribly low - hardly a step up from the Lincoln. Unless I can talk him down even more, to the point it's worth a gamble try, I'll pass on it.
Took a quick look at the Eastwoods. The 175 seems like a good ticket, but it seems they only sell them w/ a spool? I don't need that.

 

[RatLabGuy]

Not when Eastwood sells such a solid unit for a little more money. For $100, it might be worth the gamble, but that's not even half off. I'd talk him down or hold out for better. Coming from the Lincoln, I think you'll be disappointed. Drive up to Pottsville and check out the Eastwood store.

So FYI Mark, I did some digging around and learned that Eastwood welders are made by the same company in China as Lotus, the Lotus case is just little different? You probably knew this. But conveniently, Lotus are sold at Home Depot and other places. And really the gun and internals look an aweful lot like the Lincoln 110v parts?
If thatst he case I wish I could get just a box - don't need a spool or even a MIG gun, all the stuff in the kit.

 

[a_kelley]

Guy I used to work for had the 220 unit (2008 or so). It worked pretty well on 1/4" stuff. I personally have a 110 unit from HF (similar vintage) and no complaints other than that the wire tensioner came apart and I rigged it to apply tension from the side, and that was about a year ago. Well out of warranty now, but still lays decent beads. I'd put the 110 90a unit on par with a miller of similar size except that voltage control is only high low. 220 unit is set up the same way, but with provision for MIG. I don't weld for a living but have run probably 100 lbs of wire since I got my unit. Will a brand name unit outperform? Yes. Also my 110 is AC, pretty sure the 220 unit can be set to AC or DC. AC flux core requires wire compatible. Some wire didn't like the AC and wouldn't put down a good bead. (I forget what spec the wire was but most will say if it requires DC and what polarity. I ran forney wire and then they changed brand name to hottmax, $20/ 2lb spool at my local hardware store, makes Lincoln wire from Lowe's look like junk.. and the Lincoln rolls are only 1lb. Same for wire from TSC) oh and I upgraded the ground clamp about the second time I used mine to one from a set of jumper cables. Big improvement.

 

[catfishblues]

So FYI Mark, I did some digging around and learned that Eastwood welders are made by the same company in China as Lotus, the Lotus case is just little different? You probably knew this. But conveniently, Lotus are sold at Home Depot and other places. And really the gun and internals look an aweful lot like the Lincoln 110v parts?
If thatst he case I wish I could get just a box - don't need a spool or even a MIG gun, all the stuff in the kit.

I think they share more with Longevity welders. The gun is a standard Tweco-clone, and plenty tough. I hate the gun on the HF welders. Not enough bend in the gooseneck. And if you don't want the spool gun, I'd be interested. I'm thinking about picking up the Eastwood MIG 250, and it doesn't come with one.

 

[Mac5005]

So FYI Mark, I did some digging around and learned that Eastwood welders are made by the same company in China as Lotus, the Lotus case is just little different? You probably knew this. But conveniently, Lotus are sold at Home Depot and other places. And really the gun and internals look an aweful lot like the Lincoln 110v parts?
If thatst he case I wish I could get just a box - don't need a spool or even a MIG gun, all the stuff in the kit.

Eastwood, lotos, everlast, longevity, northern tool, etc are all the exact same machine made in China.

If you purchase 50 units or something you can get your name choose and color scheme options also.

If going this route buy the machine with the best warranty and customer service.

I've welded with an everlast tig and a longevity mig and both were very good units with no complaints.