Two welders now just bought a 187, some advice please..

[TucsonAZ]

Okay, I had a Weld-Pak 100, bought it years ago and just figured I may use it some day.. I didn't really do much with it for some time.. Then I caught a bug and anything that needs doing around here I try to figure a way to weld.. Since I can only do flux core with that and it's a 110v I decided to upgrade.. So after MUCH looking into what would be right for me I bought a HH187 from Northern (still waiting for it to come).. Anyway, here's the guestion..

Should I sell the little red box or is there a setup that would be nice to have that for? I do weld a lot outside so I guess it's good for that kinda stuff.. I'm just wondering what wire you would put in each machine so I have the most options.. I've learned so far with maybe 20 pounds of wire on the little flux core so I bet I'll be shocked with what the HH does for me.. Anyway, any other tips or comments / advice would be well taken..

Thanks a lot!

[moe1942]

It doesn't eat and it doesn't take up much space so keep it. They are good for sheetmetal repair. Besides you wouldn't get much for it.

[Sundown]

Hard to say as each persons needs/wants are different. I have a Millermatic 210 that I keep .030 wire in, a Millermatic 140 Auto Set that will most likely get a steady diet of .024 in it, but I still find lots of uses for my Hobart 125EZ that I keep .030 fluxcore in. Of course if I had 30 welders here I would probably line them up in the back of the shop and use a different one for each day of the month .

[Pat]

TucsonAZ,

I also have an older Weld-Pak 100 that I do still use on occasion. At one point I was going to get rid of it, but changed my mind and kept it because it is 110V. Being 110V makes it very portable in the event you need to do some minor (or not so minor) welding away from your shop. You can almost always find 110V, but sometimes even if where you have to go does have 220V, there is a lot of adapting you have to do for a 5 minute or less weld. I always take along a couple #12 extension cords. I have the gas kit for the 100 but have never hooked it up, so the 100 is always loaded with flu core. If I need more than the 100 will handle I just take the truck with the Trailblazer and other equipment.

I really like the 110V unit, but it has had one problem I can't overcome. Sometimes no matter how loose I leave the plastic wing nut that holds the 2 pound roll on the spindle, it will tighten up after running about 15-20 feet of wire, then stop feeding the wire. I open the side and the wing nut is so tight the roll can't move. Ever have an issue like this?

Anyways, if you don't need to sell it I would hang onto it for those times a buddy without 220 needs you to help out with something that is impractical or impossible to bring to you.

[visorblue]

Okay, I had a Weld-Pak 100, bought it years ago and just figured I may use it some day.. I didn't really do much with it for some time.. Then I caught a bug and anything that needs doing around here I try to figure a way to weld..

Like the old saying, "Give a boy a hammer and everything he sees will need pounding."

The Weld Pak 100 is a good little machine. You could box it up and send it to me in Phoenix.

Or, keep it as a back up and use it when you want to weld at a friend's or someplace 220v isn't readily available. Selling it to pay for the gas tank for your new 187 is a good option, too.