I didn't sift through all the reviews to find that one comment, but I can tell you that in any DC power supply with a rectifier-based output (and, really, all a MIG welder is is a big DC power supply), there will always be ripple on the output. And when measured with a multimeter, this ripple will show up as an AC waveform.

Like, if you look at a PWM-controlled circuit under the hood, like the idle valve. PWM DC isn't the same thing as true AC, but a multimeter can't tell the difference.

This is one reason why oscilloscopes are so nice; you can use them to visualize the magnitude of the ripple relative to the DC carrier, to determine whether or not it's going to be a big deal.

 

I'm probably going to pick one of these up in the next couple months. Any issues with yours? I've heard the arbor plates kinda suck, but I hopefully won't use it for anything crazy. Just wheel bearings and the like.

 

No issues so far, but I have never used a better one so I have nothing to compare it to. It had worked fine so far for removing all the control arm bushings. Trying to figure out a way to press out rear bearings next. Then I need someone to help me hold my diff so I can press out those bushings.

 

The 20 is the one to get. Some reports of the cast arbor plates exploding, swag parts makes plate steel ones.

 

Well I just picked up this charmer on Craigslist for $50:



Add in my $27 of additions:



And another $10 of incidentals, and I'm going to get a capable little welder for really cheap.

 

No problems here, either, other than wishing I had an air over hydraulic ram for it. Used it several times for wheel hubs and bearings. Surprisingly heavy duty for what it is.

 

Not a harbor tool but definitely pretty cool.

https://www.facebook.com/5min.crafts/videos/730669303742324/

 

Picked up the 14" cutoff saw the other day.

It works. Things get cut.

$60 with coupon

 

Tell me why this is significantly better than large diameter wheels or the cool tank tread things. Does it not roll down stairs?

 

Because with large wheels you are still stuck with going over the corner of the stair with the full diameter of the wheel while with this the "diameter shrinks".

The tank threads would have to be too long not to get caught on each stair.

 

bought more of those windshield repair kits from HF

they still work okayish, but for some reason the glue doesn't dry anywhere near as effectively as the ones I got before. kinda annoying, since it's like 100F here, way hotter than the time I used the last set

 

I get it.

 

So I finally got around to my Harbor Freight 90a welder project. Pretty simple stuff - routed the power on the far side of the main transformer through a 150a 1200v bridge rectifier, to convert the AC to DC. Mounted the rectifier on the outside of the case for better cooling.



Sent the positive and negative output from the rectifier to a bank of three 63v 22000uF capacitors, wired in parallel, with a 10w 150ohm bleed resistor.



Electrode was wired to negative, ground clamp to positive. I also added a 90mm computer fan for better cooling.



Total cost for this whole operation, including the cost of the welder, was less that $90. For that money, and for my hobby needs, I suspect this is going to be a capable little machine. Now I guess I have to weld something!

 

Has anyone tried the HF safety wire pliers? Junk? Or useable?

 

They're usable, but pretty darn bad. The only thing I've used them for are TSE 2-piece rotors, and it was a pain. I'm used to using very legit pliers from aircraft spruce, so maybe it's just me. But you kind of have to assist the pliers to twist, and assist them to retract. They also don't clamp very evenly so you have to make sure you're clamping the wire in the spot that actually makes contact.

 

Useable. But if you find the ones that look different for like under $50 buy those instead. The real ones twist the wire easier.

 

Links to better ones?

 

Bought this a year or two ago. Thing has been great. Made my own stainless manifold .

 

I used my pair for a very long time before they finally stabbed me bad enough that I made sure my Tetanus shot was up to date. I bought an ~$80 pair on Amazon that are reversible and they are only slightly better. A nice pair ($100++) is on my want list. For your use, the HF pliers are totally fine.

 

Cool thanks.