Returned HF 80 Amp Inverter, Bought 125EZ

[Hotfoot]

Well, the title says it all...The little HF 80 amp inverted was a cutie, ran 1/16" rod with a nice arc...but just didn't have enough "Oomph" for those odd and ends projects I'll haul it around to do. I never did try a TA 85 Dragster, but I could tell there was a huge divide between an 80 amp stick, and where I wanted to go.

My first MIG was a miller 90 Amp Sidekick, and it was a nice machine, and welded well...so I figured I'd pick up another MIG. 'sure wish it was the size and weight of that little six pack sized inverter, but no such luck...I ordered a Hobart 125EZ today from Tractor Supply...based largely on the favorable comments its received from some other members....and the hope that buying another Hobart product would help insulate me from those mysterious message nappings!:p

125EZ $299.00
20% Online Discount Code "TRACTOR" -$30.00 =$269.00
Special Shipping Promo $4.99

I had to pay almost $23.00 Sales Tax, which I would have saved if I found a comparable price with a seller that had no stores in Texas, but I didn't come up with any.

[Zrexxer]

If you're anywhere near as happy with that 125EZ as I am with mine, you'll consider it money well spent.

[Wyoming]

Foot,
Now you need to get to work building a slide out collapsible table/cart for that welder so the old back doesn't take a beating. Worked with a good friend out in Santa Fe, NM when she was going through cancer treatments...needed to keep her self-employed medical insurance. She had a mobile MRI unit for pet diagnostics that needed to be transported in her car from one vet to the next. At around a 100 lbs and arthritic from an auto accident when she was 18 she needed the easiest/most portable means to move that MRI...and it was bigger than your welder. Worked like a hospital gurney and never had to lift the unit from car to wherever. Looked like a collapsible die lift table.

[usmcpop]

Yes, do work out a cart/ramp gadget and save your back. At 115 lbs and nearly cripple from moving that Dialarc the other day, you don't want back trouble. (I didn't know there was that much pain stored up inside there. I've been letting it out all week and there's still some left. :mad:)

[ace4059]

Congratulations... its a boy
sorry hotfoot, but buying the HH125ez did not spare you from the comments. :p

I know you'll like it. I love mine. You may remember that after I first bought it I hated it, and it would weld worth crap. I finally figured the problem was the 100 ft 16 ga extension cord it was plugged into. After I started using a 10 ga cord the problems went away. just make sure you have a good heavy cord. It welded ok with 035 But it has a better arc with 030, and the feed is a little smoother.

[Hotfoot]

I had already started on a small hand cart made from one of those suitcase collapsible little chrome things you see folks hauling around airports. I am going to make some slip-on larger wheels (maybe small bicycle ones), so it will roll over unpaved ground....but I REALLY like the Slide-In Idea. I'll have to see if I can do it either into the back doors (seat already removed, replaced with plywood) or trunk of my Honda Accord.
I had thought in an earlier brainstorm about getting another trunk lid, and cutting holes in it to vertically mount gas cylinders for an oxy/gas rig. I would have put rubber sealing gaskets around the cylinders..Odd, but not very out of character for me :rolleyes:

[MAC702]

...I had to pay almost $23.00 Sales Tax, which I would have saved if I found a comparable price with a seller that had no stores in Texas, but I didn't come up with any.

Well, that was stupid. You could have just sent it to NV as we have no Tractor Supply stores. I have lots of room to receive and store it until you picked it up. Next time, put a little more thought into your purchases, okay?

[Wyoming]

Foot,
You may have to fabricate a platform for the welder that will allow it to ride high enough to slide over your Honda's rear threshold. Make it out of small enough square tubing and you shouldn't create yet another "heavy" problem. Either that or we start working on a trunk mounted jib crane design soon...

[usmcpop]

I have a few 8 ft. lengths of 12" wide C-channel that's about 1/4" thick that would make dandy ramps. Need some? :p

Can you find some aluminum extrusions that would do for a ramp for a hand truck-like affair?