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 Posted: Feb 9, 2019 06:24AM
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US
I'll be honest, I don't remember, but it wasn't much. I think when I tried to fit the Miller tips and found that the chinese threads on the HF welder were different, I might have just re-threaded the tips to match. 

 Posted: Feb 9, 2019 02:00AM
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What did you do to modify to use miller tips?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedRiley
I have one of the 120 Harbor Freight ones. The tips that come with it are crap, so I modified it slightly to use Miller tips. It works okay as long as you don't have more than a couple layers to weld through. I used it for a rear valance and it did pretty well. The 240 one would probably do a better job if you plan on using it a lot.
I've also got a spot welding tip for my MIG welder, and that works pretty good after some practice to get the heat just right depending on what you're welding on.


 Posted: Jan 13, 2019 12:26PM
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US
yup, Harbor Freight one, 220, but it is Heavy. Works good for what the $$$ i have into it.

 

 

My Email is : [email protected]   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 Posted: Jan 9, 2019 12:35PM
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I used one of the 120V Harbor Freight units to replace a couple sheet metal parts and it worked incredibly well, once I got the hang of it. I've heard people suggest the 220, but I had no issues with the 120 and it runs on normal household power. The tips aren't great on the HF units (they can become distorted over time), but are replaceable. 

SO much easier than plug welding. Plugs work fine in areas a spot welder can't reach, but it's a lot more work and grinding plug welds doesn't look factory at all. 

Not sure where you're located, but if in Southern Calfornia I'd sell my used HF unit on the cheap, as I don't need it anymore at this point in my restoration. 

 Posted: Jan 9, 2019 09:42AM
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I have the harbor freight 220V model. Works ok. You have to count the seconds on the trigger, if you go too long, it will burn a hole. Too short, it would hold. That is probably true of most spot welders. Keep the contacts filed sharp and clean and it works. Better, find someone who owns one and borrow it!

Jerry

 Posted: Jan 7, 2019 10:08AM
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CA
I have a Miller 240V handheld, my only complaint is that it weighs a ton! Seriously though, I will never go back to drilling/filling in places where the spot welder will reach. It literally takes less than 2 minutes to spot weld a sill panel to the door step.

Sean Windrum

1996 MGF VVC
1970 1275 GT Racer
66 Austin Countryman
63 997 Cooper (Under Construction)
63 MG 1100

 

 Posted: Jan 7, 2019 08:23AM
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GB
I used a Harbour Freight one extensively on Deans Countryman (while Dolly was still my project) and it worked fine.  Obviously not trade capacity and not automatic, but more than acceptable.

 Posted: Jan 7, 2019 05:12AM
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US
I have one of the 120 Harbor Freight ones. The tips that come with it are crap, so I modified it slightly to use Miller tips. It works okay as long as you don't have more than a couple layers to weld through. I used it for a rear valance and it did pretty well. The 240 one would probably do a better job if you plan on using it a lot.
I've also got a spot welding tip for my MIG welder, and that works pretty good after some practice to get the heat just right depending on what you're welding on.

 Posted: Jan 6, 2019 02:39PM
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US
I've seen a couple of used units on eBay. 240v is the preferred choice.  I'm hole punching and grinding.

 Posted: Jan 6, 2019 09:01AM
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US
Like you, I have plug welded to make spots. 

Over the years I have read several reviews of the Harbor Freight spot welders.  In general what I remember is that people say the 120V one is weak and the 240V one is OK.  I don't remember anyone listing a source for different shaped arms so you may be stuck with the simple pincers that come with the welder.  I have not seen reviews of other brands of spot welders.

Doug L.
 Posted: Jan 6, 2019 07:00AM
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Has anyone used one of the hand help spot welders? In the past I have used a mig to do spot welds but it would be nice to not have to grind all the spots to smooth out.