Harbor Freight Tig Welder Review

Are you looking for the Harbor freight tig welder but do not know which one to choose among the many options available in the market?

 If You,

then you have come to the right place because we will give you an honest  Harbor freight tig welder review. Harbor Freight is the most promising TIG welding brand and it is famous for its welding metal tools. They have more than 7000 accessories and metallic tools available in the market.

SEE ALSO – Best Tig Welder under $500

Harbor Freight Tig Welder Review 2022

 A few salient features of harbor freight tig welders are: 

  • They have inverter technology for brilliant arc start
  • They are portable and come under 40 pounds in weight
  • The easy to read digital display
  • A foot pedal and tig torch are included
  • They can be operated at dual voltages.

We know it is hard to carry out a welding procedure without an efficient welding machine. However, it is hard to choose the right welding machine out of the many options available in the market. Further, it will cost you money if you invest in the wrong machine, which won’t fulfill your desired welding purpose.

Contents

Harbor Freight Tig Welder Reviews

Chicago
Chicago Electric Inverter Arc Welder
Chicago Electric Inverter Arc Welder
  • Power Source: N/A
  • Input Voltage: 240 V
  • Weight: ‎9.78 pounds
  • Dimension: ‎10.7 x 9.1 x 8.5 inches
  • Material: steel
HFT
Titanium MiG 140 Professional Welder
Titanium MiG 140 Professional Welder
  • Power Source: 180A
  • Input Voltage: 120 Volt
  • Weight: 24 Ib
  • Dimension: N/A
  • Material: TITANIUM
Harbor Freight Tools
Vulcan Protig 165 Welder
Vulcan Protig 165 Welder
  • Power Source: DC
  • Input Voltage: 120/240 Volts
  • Weight: ‎47.4 pounds
  • Dimensions: 15 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches
  • Material: other
Vulcan
Vulcan Protig 205 Industrial Welder
Vulcan Protig 205 Industrial Welder
  • Power Source: AC OR DC
  • Input Voltage:120/240V
  • Weight:‎68.9 pounds
  • Dimensions:‎21 x 11 x 16 inches
  • Material: Other
VULCAN
240 Volt Inverter Arc /Tig Welder
240 Volt Inverter Arc /Tig Welder
  • Power Source: DC
  • Input Voltage: 120/240
  • Weight: 49 Pounds
  • Dimensions: 21 × 12 × 17 inches
  • Material: thin

Therefore, we have researched and combined the 5 best harbor freight tig welders available in the market at cheap rates. So any further ado let’s get into it.

Customer Reviews Of Harbor Freight Tig Welders

Vulcan Protig 165 Welder (Affordable Price) Used this for a railing job that worked great and paid for itself. Advise 3/32 roadwork best hill ark can’t beat it with stainless. Not sure how long it will last, but it gets the job done! – Customer Review

Vulcan Protig 205 Industrial Welder (Advance Control Mechanism) So far so good. The great beast of a machine. Compact and lightweight but powerful. Vaporizes aluminum with great ease, still learning to weld aluminum so I’m pleased that I got this powerful of a machine. – Customer Review

Chicago Inverter Arc Welder (LightWeight Welder) I run it on a 6.5 hp hf generator. At about 60 to 80 percent output – to be easier on the generator’s 15-amp output. A good little repair machine. – Customer Review

240 Volt Inverter Arc /Tig Welder (Digital ReadOut And Powerful) Fits all my needs for a startup business. I’ve put 5 trailers back to factory specs, welded over 40 exhaust binges and built 7 utility lawn carts. It’s paid for itself and is still chugging along!! – Customer Review

Titanium Mig 140 Professional Welder (Highly Versatile) Run millers at work. This works just as well. I bought this for at home on the farm. I’ve been able to repair everything big and small and it has worked flawlessly. Highly recommend it and it’s great for the price. – Customer Review

  1. Vulcan Protig 165 Welder (Affordable Price)

Top Pick
9.7/10 Our Score

For those who want to work with different types of material than Vulcan Protig 165 is best. It is versatile and helps in welding different materials like cast iron, aluminum, chrome, moly, and stainless steel.

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Further, it is equipped with an auto-sense function, which allows you to draw the arc at the right position because it detects your welding position. Plus, it is lighter in weight so you can lift it and put it in your car. It comes with dual voltage capability and wok at both 120V and 240V.

High-Quality Arc

Protig welder 165 can weld any material easily because it comes with one of the most efficient arc qualities. Further, it is powered by inverter technology which gives extra consistent arc frequency.  

Dual Voltage Capacity

It would be very unpleasant to buy the transistor separately; therefore, protig 165 welder comes with dual voltage capacity. It can operate at both 240V and 120 V.

Heat Dissipation

The more the machine works, the more heat is generated which can cost the efficiency of the machine. However, Protig 165 comes with inbuilt pulsing technology, which prevents heat dissipation and increases travel speed.

Light Weight

If you want to work by moving around your shop or in-house, you will love Vulcan Protig 165. With a total weight of only 20 pounds, it is a more convenient tig welder.

SPECS
  • DC stick and DC TIG come from a single power source.
  • Provide ultimate arc quality due to high-frequency arc
  • The ideal weight of 20 pounds.
  • Maximum efficiency and highest quality output.
PROS
  • Thermal protection
  • Easy to carry
  • Single power source
  • Best for lighter welding tasks
CONS
  • Use shielding gas
  • Not for heavy welding works

Final Verdict:

Vulcan tig welder is best for light industrial welding; it comes with a dual voltage operating system. Plus, you will get the right arc at the right place while welding different types of materials.

  1. Vulcan Protig 205 Industrial Welder (Advance Control Mechanism)

Vulcan Protig 205 Industrial Welder
Pros
  • Foot pedal for heat control
  • High-frequency arc
  • Regulator included
  • Pulse current modulation
Cons
  • Gradual stepping of amperage
  • Torch lead is small

Vulcan Protig 205 is the modern model of harbor freight; it comes with unique features. Firstly, it has 205amp TIG AC/DC output. With this much amp, it is enough to weld 5-6 inches thick steel sheets. Further, it has dual current modes 120 and 240V machines.

Plus, it is best for industrial welding purposes and gives you complete control with professional settings. Nevertheless, Vulcan 205 comes with exciting foot pedal heat control. However, some professionals don’t like it because it tampers the amperage level in steps.

Easy To Handle

With pre and post-flow control, it is easy to control the gas coverage for its use. Further, an AC balance operator can easily prevent the penetration of the AC TIG arc.

Pulse Current Signal

In case of longer welding hours, this machine has a 2T/4T trigger lock, allowing you to rest and prevent hand fatigue. Further, it has pulsing current control so it controls the heat during welding.

See also  Best TIG Welder For Anodized Aluminum - [Top 3] Reviews

Dual Volt Machine

This machine is versatile as it works at both 120V and 240V, which means you can use it in any area where there is an availability of any of the two voltages.

Solid Welding

Vulcan 205 is highly efficient, and with 205amp of reliable AC/DC welding power, it can weld any metal sheet in one pass. It also delivers 175amp power, solid enough to handle 1/8 inch electrodes.

SPECS
  • Output 10/250amp
  • A/C balance control
  • Dual voltage
  • AC/AC stick and Tig

Final Verdict:

Vulcan 205 industrial welder is the most modern model of harbor freight. It has both stick and Tig welding, and it can be operated at both 120V and 240V.

  1. Chicago Electric Inverter Arc Welder (LightWeight Welder)

Chicago Electric Inverter Arc Welder
Pros
  • Lighter in weight
  • Good for small repairs
  • Thermal overload protection
  • Consistent output
Cons
  • Not for heavy welding
  • Less power welding

It is the best welding machine for those who have just started welding or are interested in welding. It is very compact in size, plus the weight makes it portable. You can easily weld with the hot start welding feature. Further, the power that it requires is only 110V and works fine for smaller welding purposes.

Further, it has thermal power load protection, which prevents it from heating up during heavy welding hours. It is best to weld thin metal surfaces, go-carts welding tables, exhaust pipes, etc. it comes with easy carry straps.

Power Switch Light

It has a power switch light that turns on while connected, plus it has three specialized functional inverter functions for high power welding.

Lighter Weight

It is smaller in size, and easy to carry. You can carry it in your luggage. Further, it comes with a strap for easy carrying on the shoulder.

Long Cable

This machine comes with longer cables, like a 5.5 ft welding cable, and a double-angled electrode holder. Plus, it has a 5ft ground cable and clamp.

Anti-Stick Technology

Once you start welding, the hot start feature keeps you busy welding. Once you are done with welding, anti-stick technology makes it easier to separate from the working surface.

Final Verdict:

If you are looking for something more portable and easier to handle. It is great with its 110V welding capacity. Further, it has a 5.5ft welding cable and a 5ft ground cable with a clamp.

  1. 240 Volt Inverter Arc /Tig Welder (Digital ReadOut And Powerful)

240 Volt Inverter Arc Tig Welder
Harbor Freight Tig Welder Review
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • High quality
  • Use argon gas
  • Strong welding
Cons
  • Heavier in weight
  • Not for aluminum

240V Chicago inverter welder is best for high precision welding. Further, it is suitable for both TIG and arc /MMA welding applications and gives you more control over welding thin metal surfaces. Plus, it has different gears for versatile working.

It has different sizes of electrodes like a 1/16 inch stick welder and a 1/8inch stick welder. Tig welding requires shielding gas and uses 1/16inch to 3/32inch electrodes. The voltage it uses is 240V and capable of mild welding steel, alloy steel; however, it is not for aluminum.

Less Power Usage

Chicago 240V is best for welding thick and thin metal surfaces. However, its inverter design enables it for consistent welding without using much electric power.

LCD Current Display

While welding, you can monitor the current flow with an advanced LCD screen. Moreover, it has a foot pedal included for changing the amperage.

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Easy Switching

There is one switch available for changing the mode from tig welder to stick welding. However, it requires shielding gas for tig welding.

Versatile Welding

It has a non-contact high-frequency start and joins any two metal surfaces, including alloy steel, mild steel, and stainless steel. However, it won’t work with an aluminum surface.

Final Verdict:

If you are a pro at welding, then a 240V Chicago welder is best for you. It has robust tungsten electrodes, pedal controlling amperage, and constant current visibility.

  1. Titanium MiG 140 Professional Welder (Highly Versatile)

Titanium MiG 140 Professional Welder
Pros
  • Reasonable price
  • Ready to use
  • Easy setup
  • Spool gun attachment
Cons
  • Not for small projects
  • Bigger in size

This is a MiG welder that stands 16 inches tall with 11 inches width and 21 inches length. It uses 120V input and 140 Amp output. It is not so heavy, having an average weight of 42pounds. It is a MiG welder; it is supposed to require a gas for welding but not with this one. It does not require any shielding gas.

Further, you can use a spool gun with it, but you have to buy it separately. It can weld multiple thicknesses and metal surfaces like steel and stainless steel. Although for aluminum welding, you have to attach a spool gun.

Thermal Overload Protection

Vulcan MiG welder comes with thermal overload protection. It dissipates the heat and protects the efficiency of the welding machine during continuous and long hours of use.

Wire Feed Welder

This MiG welder is very easy to use due to the wire feed welder and allows you to weld without any trouble. It comes with a metal drive system for hardcore welding.

Spool Gun

Spool guns are additive functionality of MiG welders. With a spool gun, it can easily weld thick aluminum surfaces. However, you have to buy it separately.

Welding Capacity

This titanium MiG welder is quite versatile in welding. It can join steel, stainless steel with 24ga. Moreover, the wire size is 0.025inch, 0.030 inches, and 0.035 inches.

Final Verdict:

Vulcan MiG welder is best for vehicle restorations and more significant welding projects. It does not use a shielding gas. Plus, it comes with inverter technology for arc start.

Review of Harbor Freight Tig welder 2021

Wrapping Up

By this point, we rest assured that we have provided you enough information about harbor freight tig welder reviews. However, before choosing the welding machine, keep two things in mind: heavy-duty welding or just starting a hobbyist welding machine.

Moreover, if you want severe heavy-duty welding, we recommend the Vulcan MiG welder due to its versatile welding mechanism. But if you want a compact and portable welding machine, then go for the Chicago inverter arc welder.

FAQs

Does Harbor Freight Have Tig Welders?

Yes, harbor freight has tig welders. They have many tig and MiG welders, which come in an affordable price range with versatile features and functionalities.

Why Are Tig Welders Expensive?

Tig welders are more expensive than welders because they require more power, have different functions. Plus, they provide more durable and stronger welds.

Is MiG Welder Stronger Than Tig Welders?

No, Tig welders are stronger than MiG welders because they provide more sharp and clean welding. Plus, the welding arc method makes tig welders more durable and higher in quality. 

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