Welder Opinions

[MDoe8]

Sounds like you already bought it, hope it works out for you! The high/low has a very finite range of thickness that it welds properly, that's all.

As for wire, I love my nr211

[sergechronos]

The nr211 is what I'm leaning towards. While I could cancel my order, the price is tough to beat (as is the amperage.) even compare to other welders that just have high low, with that sale price it's pretty hard to pass on. Anything that has multiple power settings seems to started about the $300 price. which is pretty pricey to try to find out whether or not it's something I'll be good at.

Again, I do have my fingers crossed about it. But I am totally okay with the fact that it might be a complete piece of crap for that price. if I have any skill with it though, I will probably upgrade to a higher quality machine that can do both mig and flux.

[MDoe8]

Might want to look into getting something like My AHP alphamig instead. Costs around $300 and then you'll pick up some nr211 same as you would now. Run it for a while and see if you like welding. If not, you'll see it for near what you paid for it just the same as what you're thinking about doing now. To boot, you'll have MIG capabilities, a better machine, and a MUCH MUCH MUCH better weld. I've owned a high/low cheap machine before and the difference between the AHP and that is night and day. I couldn't get consistency to save my life on the cheapo one. As soon as I switched, I found myself to be significantly imrpoved and absolutely love it. You'll be frustrated by your purchase i think.

[Bloodlust182]

Harbor freight/ off brand / no name flux core welders are pretty shoddy. Ive been "borrowing" my neighbors eastwood MIG 135 welder for about a year and a half now. I use the Lincoln flux wire and I surprise myself with the welds it can produce. The main problem for me is getting the spool speed and power levels tuned perfectly. Some of the steel on our cars just vaporizes when you try to weld it (even with the correct settings). I used it with the shield gas when I welded in my 2G buckets and it worked perfectly. I offered to buy the thing off my neighbor, but he just said keep it until he needs it.... I think he just doesn't like it cluttering up his garage .

[familyMAN]

I agree with the adjustable vs hi/low. My hi/lo is awful. It's either too much or not enough. I haven't tried the good wire though that you guys have talked about.

For auto darkening helmets, it may not play nice with TIG. I've switched to an inexpensive fixed shade and love it. The auto was flashing sometimes depending on material and lighting conditions.

[sergechronos]

Is the Eastwood135 a 110v? Thought it was 220v

[anyonebutme]

I agree with the adjustable vs hi/low. My hi/lo is awful. It's either too much or not enough. I haven't tried the good wire though that you guys have talked about.

For auto darkening helmets, it may not play nice with TIG. I've switched to an inexpensive fixed shade and love it. The auto was flashing sometimes depending on material and lighting conditions.

The trick with autodarkening helmets is multi-sensors. You gotta have 4 sensors because your hands tend to block 1-3 of them. Once I switched from a 2 sensor to a 4 sensor, I've never had an issue sense.

[MDoe8]

The trick with autodarkening helmets is multi-sensors. You gotta have 4 sensors because your hands tend to block 1-3 of them. Once I switched from a 2 sensor to a 4 sensor, I've never had an issue sense.

I never knew this but it completely makes sense!

[MDoe8]

eastwood 135 is a 110v. It's very similar if not identical to the AHP. Both 110 (120) transformer machines that are huge bang for the buck.