Harbor Freight Win-or-Fail Thread
#821
Boost Pope
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
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I have been looking at the Forney 125 flux welder on Amazon as a possible alternative to the Harbor Freight unit, but one of the reviewers said he hooked his multimeter up to it and found that it was putting out AC as well, rather than DC electrode negative.
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.
#823
mkturbo.com
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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.
#833
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!
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!
#835
Senior Member
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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.
#839
Former Vendor
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Join Date: Nov 2006
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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.