If you are in the market for a cheap welder, you might be surprised to learn that Harbor Freight sells some pretty decent ones. They have a lot of different welding machines, but they are mostly made by Chicago Electric, a brand that is exclusively sold at Harbor Freight. They also have an alternative online shop called YesWelder, which sells some of the same products that Harbor Freight does but at a much lower price.
The chicago electric 170 amp welder review is a great choice for beginners since it’s easy to set up and use. It runs on 120 volts, uses flux-core welding wire and can weld up to 18-gauge steel. It has a 20-percent duty cycle and comes with a wire feed speed control. It also has a thermal overload protection to prevent overheating and a resettable circuit breaker. Its size makes it convenient to carry around.
You can find this welder at Harbor Freight, where it usually sells for $140, though it does go on sale often. You will have to buy shielding gas and safety wire separately, however, which is a common thing with most welders. Its arc is very smooth and provides excellent penetration, which means you can weld up to tubes that are 3/16” or 1/4” thick. It also has a spool setting that weighs 10 pounds, so you can easily choose the right thickness for your project. You can adjust the output speed and gas inhalation with up to four options, so you can get the best results for your needs.
