Weldpak 100

[Matthew Currie]

I know the wisdom is to save up your money and get a 220V welder, but I will cast a dissenting vote. For a number of jobs, a decent 115 volt Mig welder is hard to beat, and there's an argument for having one even if you also have something bigger. So what if it doesn't do the really big stuff? It is portable, and you can plug it in just about anywhere, and you can weld with it instead of waiting for a better welder. When you decide to build towers or fix farm machinery, you can always go out and buy a 220V stick welder, and then you'll have two welders!

It's true that if you have 115 you have 220, ...somewhere. But getting from that theoretical power to a safe outlet with sufficient capacity, the correct breakers, etc., can be a chore, and if portability is an issue, you can't always count on a range outlet where you need it.

 

[Legacy]

I know that Lincoln,Miller make some of the best but i've been looking around for the best price well i checked sears and they have craftsman welders for a cheaper and better price then you can find any Lincoln/Miller.
plus it's an craftsman not just some cheap azz welder for wal-mart.

 

[massxj]

i think the craftsman welders are made by centry and they only have a one year not a lifetime warranty

 

[91XJRubicXD]

I've had my Lincoln Weldpak for almost 6 years and have yet to have any issues with pentration in regards to welding for my XJ. Lol I know this is an ancient thread, but seriously all these guys saying to buy these 220v welders get real. An XJ isn't a Caterpillar dozer for christ sakes. You can weld up to .25 with no issues with some practice using 75% Argon /25% CO2 or a 50/50 mix. My father welded using every type of machine known to man for the Pike's Peak Railroad in Manitou Spgs, CO for 19 yrs. and JOY Manufacturing in Colo. Spgs. for 8 years before they closed there doors and he doesn't hesitate to use my Lincoln Weldpak 100 for anything regarding vehicles.

 

[scottmcneal]

Heads up.Look at the date.

But i want to know if the H/f is still running?

 

[xcm]

He saw the date, and people would still complain if he started a new thread...


I havent touched my weldpak 100 since getting a 220v snap-on. Not a SINGLE foot of wire.... My biggest problems with the 100 are...

1-dainty torch, it feels like a kids welder compared to the one on my 220v machine.
2-no gas regulators, nor solenoid. you can get the kit... but then your up to like $400-500.... big boy welder territory.
3-detent style power knob... cant fine tune it. sometimes all you need is +.3 on your voltage selector... cant do it on the 100hd.

To sum it up, the 100hd is a decent learnin' welder... i wouldnt hesitate to buy one, if you currently cannot weld, and want to learn... but cannot scrape $1k+ for a good welder. You can also probably re-sell it, later on, in a heartbeat.

As far as 'oh, you just double the 110v plug up'..... that shit did not work out for me, i had 2 or 3 helpfull club members come by to help wire it up... each one was sayin 'oh, it cannot be that hard!'... long story short, im currently running my 220v welder of my neighbors power (theyre family), as my entire house was run off 1 hot lead... call a professional, or at least someone who knows what theyre doing.

 

[91XJRubicXD]

I got the Weldpak 100 HD with the K610-1 conversion kit, which included the gas solenoid, gun liner, 2 extra .025 tips, gas nozzle assembly, 2 lb spool of Super Arc L-56 wire, gas regulator with dual gauges, 52" gas hose and an adaptor for CO2 tanks for $ 375.00. Yes I saw the date and yes people would whine had I started a new thread. Big machines are great when you own a barn to keep them in lol, but the average Joe doesn't have a barn nor the means of needing a 220v unit. Unless you're welding for a living it's a waste of money, as you're not going to use it very often. Just my two cents is all

 

[xcm]

the weldpack 100 has a 20% duty cycle, and a fan the size of a large computer fan.
my snap-on's got a 60% duty cycle, and a fan the size of a car radiator fan.

I dont weld all day, everyday, but when i do, i dont want to be bouncing of the duty cycle, having that ruin my welds by messing with my settings.

$375 is a great price, and at that price every shop should have one of these, unfortunately that seems like a 5 year old price. the 135's, hobart handlers, etc, can be had for a leeeeetle bit more.... just sayin...

 

[Ben824]

I am no pro welder (learning though and taking classes at the local tech school) but I do understand the OP's concern of whether or not he needs a big time welder. When I started researching welders I considered what I would be doing and what would be needed for heavy fab like building bumpers, brackets, etc. you need something that can penetrate good heat since these will be parts that rely highly on the integrity of the weld. Can the 100 weld those pieces of metal together? Sure it could, but will the weld hold? Will the weld hold over a long period of time and under heavy loads? These are things to consider with your welder. I too did not have access to 220v other than my laundry room for the dryer and running some long a$$ extension cord from the laundry room just wasn't going to work either. So I chose the highest possible welder I could find for a good price on craigslist for 110v which is my Lincoln ProMIG 140. The limit in the market for 110v seems to be 140-150 volt welders. But with gas these welders can handle welding 1/4" steel no problem. Still need to take it slow and won't be as easy to get a good weld on thick steel as the higher 220v stuff but the 135-150 volt welders can get the job done and produce a good strong weld. Also alot of the 100 advocates say they just need it for raising shock mounts, keep in mind fellas your trying to weld to the axle tube which is pretty thick stuff too and you need to be able to get good heat to penetrate and produce a good weld don't want that shock mount popping off on the trail. Get a 135, 140, or 150 volt welder if you cannot jump up into the 220v range. Just my .02 cents.

 

[91XJRubicXD]

If thicker material gives you a cold steel issue which an axle may do, you can preheat the area to be welded using a propane torch, mapp gas would be the better heating solution. Sure it's a second step but still way below the cost of a 220v. Trust me, I know a 220v is a way better machine when it comes to needing strong production welds. I'm just saying for what it is, it's a great lil unit that will give some quality high strength welds with a lil more patience and of course practice. 1/4" plate is the limit, but like I said if it's preheated, it will produce a strong weld on this thickness. Running a bumper would probably be a PITA, but brackets and what not are short enough to handle. I'd prefer a 220v myself, but I haven't the space or means is all