Welder My HF Tig 165-Amp Gifted To Myself Today. - Motorized ...

Hey, everybody just gifted myself a new HF stands for ( Throw Away Tools ), it's the Harbor Freight HF 165-Amp Arc / Tig welder. HF model # 98233.

Gonna modify this welder with the pedal upgrade see my post / thread here,
Adding a foot pedal to a 98233 (165A) tig - WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts
Harbor freight tig foot pedal add-on - WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts

This cheapo welder retails for $499.00 I paid $349.00 on sale till ?
240 Volt Inverter Arc/TIG Welder with Digital Readout - Tig & Arc Welders - Welding

Finally I can Arc / Tig weld with this machine.

My first personal welder I started out with the HF 90 Amp Mig Flux Cored gasless welder which retails for about $149.00 sale price around $89.99
90 Amp Flux Wire Welder - Mig & Flux Welders - Welding

My second welder was the HF 151 Mig which is a gas welder retails for about $299.00 sale price $179.00
120 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Welder with Wheels - Mig & Flux Welders - Welding

My third welder I gifted myself with today is the 240 Volt Inverter Arc/TIG Welder with Digital Readout HF-Model # 98233 this welder can be upgraded with a pedal see my post here at welding web screen name Krzndn see link above.

Some details about this welder.

Designed for both TIG and ARC/MMA welding applications, this welding machine welds Mild steel, low alloy steel, and stainless steel (not suitable for aluminum) (MMA: 18 gauge (3/8" thick), TIG: 22 gauge (3/16" thick). Manual metal arc (MMA) welding’s simplicity and ease of operation make it the most popular welding method to weld iron and steel (including stainless steel). LCD readout.

Description of Chicago Electric Welding Systems 98233

Handles both TIG and arc/MMA welding applications. TIG welding gives you more control than other, faster, methods to create stronger, higher-quality welds.

* Electrical requirements: 240 volts, MMA: 37 amps, TIG: 11 amps, single phase, 60 Hz
* Welding current range: 10 to 165 amps
* Duty cycle: 30% at 165 amps, 100% at 140 amps
* Electrode capacity: MMA: 3/32" to 3/16", TIG: 1/16" to 1/8"
* Includes 13 ft. TIG welding cable with Binzel® torch, 9.5 ft. stick welding cable with multi-angle holder, 9.5 ft. ground cable with clamp

Gas fittings, hose and regulator are sold separately.
Input: 240 volts, MMA: 37 amps, TIG: 11 amps, single phase, 60 Hz
Rated output current: 10 to 165 amps
Rated output voltage: MMA: 28 volts @ 165 amps, TIG: 11 volts @ 165 amps
Max open circuit voltage: 69 volts
Duty cycle: 30% at 165 amps, 100% at 140 amps
Electrode capacity: MMA: 3/32" to 3/16", TIG: 1/16" to 1/8"
Weldable materials: Mild steel, low alloy steel, and stainless steel (not suitable for aluminum)
Material thickness: MMA: 18 gauge (3/8" thick), TIG: 22 gauge (3/16" thick)
Includes: 1/8" collet body, 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 1/8" collets, size 4, 5, 6, 7 gas nozzles, long and short back caps
Shipping Weight: 46.05 lbs.

For the money this welder can't be beat and it comes with German made Tig Torch probably worth as much as the welder if sold separately.IMO

Other notes you'll have to purchase the 20 Cubic Ft. Argon Gas Cylinder
Only:$89.99 argon gas cylinder sold separately.
20 Cubic Ft. Argon Gas Cylinder - Welding Accessories - Welding

The gas fittings, hose and regulator can be purchased for about $50 to $80 US dollars. Regulator Gauge Only: $39.99 Sale price @ HF Tool Co. $29.99
Regulator Gauge

Specifications Detailed.

Name 240 Volt Inverter ARC/TIG Welder with Digital Readout
SKU 98233
Brand Chicago Electric Welding Systems
Color Blue
Output Amps 10-165 DC
Duty Cycle 35% at 165 amps, 60% at 126 amps. 100% at 98 amps
Wire Capacity 3/32" rod
Item Type Inverter Welder
Voltage 230
Amperage 20
Phase Single 1

For me this welder will handle most if not all my welding needs for some time to come.

Anyone thinking about buying a welder I'd suggest you do a lil research and if you decide to buy from Harbor Freight my favorite throw away tool store, maybe you could start with the 90 amp flux cored mig welder again about $100 and then later if you are so inclined move up to a HF 151 or HF 171 both these welders are setup gas ready, which allows you to have less smoke than the 90 amp welder and you'll actually be able to see your welds better using the 151 or 171 with gas.

For even more help finding the right welder for your needs checkout WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts - Powered by vBulletin some of you may have the resources / money to afford a higher quality welder and you'll find many people over there who are much like our forum members willing to share their knowledge & experience so check it out if you want.

Peace Crazy Horse.