Harbor Freight Vulcan Migmax 215 and Pro Tig 200 2 Review after 2 years of use
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ค. 2024
- The Harbor Freight Mig Max 215 and ProTig 200 are two welders that have been under heavy debate since first announced. We took the plunge and bought the Vulcan MigMax 215 2 years ago and the Vulcan ProTig 200 1 year ago. Today we do some welding and give you our feedback on them after years of use and abuse.
Daniel Does a walkaround of the shop showing you the tools we use and where we get them and then finally fixed the tube bender!
The winner of the 3000 Subscriber giveaway is.... in the video so make sure you watch it!
Links for tools in VOLG
Flap Discs - amzn.to/2Zk3CRV
Cut Off wheels .38 Each - tinyurl.com/wjbnwr6
Grinding Stone - amzn.to/2ZhsIRe
Mig Wire - amzn.to/2Qg0GkW
Tig Tungsten - amzn.to/2EJwYj5
Tig Cup - amzn.to/2ZfzRBE
#vulcan #migmax #protig - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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Almost 3,100 subs. So pumped to see the guys get the channel gaining traction and fixing to take off. Glad to be here in the beginning.
Loved the video, always like to see what others use in their shop. I used to buy from HF many years ago (before I moved to the UK 15 years ago) and am really surprised how much there quality has improved. Onwards and upwards with the channel and your business, of course
Love this vid! I truly enjoyed seeing the tools you use in your shop. It would be nice to have a shop the size of yours. Sadly come spring I will be evicting the only project car left inside my garage in order to make room for more shop tools. I have been using the Vulcan Omni Pro 220 for the past year. Prior to getting it i was using a Lincoln 110 flux core welder. My welds improved more with the welder upgrade than the past 15 years I have used that old Lincoln. Keep up the great work!
I have had this welder for about a year now, its been awesome. I have welded everything from complete exhausts to car frames. This was my first personal welder (I used to use a $2k miller at school). This thing welds awesome. when i was first looking for a welder i didnt think that the multi voltage feature would be a big deal (110v and 220v). But man was i wrong, I have used 110v 90% of the time! Still welds great! Would definitely recommend this machine! Great video man!
Just met you guys at the rallycross race on sunday. Was trying to lay down stringer beads for my migmax 215 to show a friend that wants to buy a welder and they were coming out junk... Hopped on here to see what people were doing with settings and your videos popped up. Pretty awesome to see that this hobby welder can be put to hard use in a shop environment. You have an interesting mishmosh of tools and actually we line up on alot of them so that was cool to see. I've been really happy with my kobalt 24v tools, the migmax, and my AHP alphatig, which came out before the vulcans were available. There's alot you can buy from HF that works just fine, or you don't feel too bad about it if burns up in a few years, so its cool to see your shop putting out serious builds using the stuff. Anyway, very cool to see these things can take the abuse of high use daily. I think my answer to the crummy stringer beads is I need to hook up to 220v finally.
Great video! Have watched so many review videos for the migmax 215 and really just want to know how people feel about it. You get right to the point and give good details and reasons as to why. Thank you. I think I'm sold.
Great tour! Love the channel! Merry Christmas!!!
I've had this welder for a week now. My stimulus welder. I've used tons of welders and though this isn't my favorite,
I'm very very impressed with it. Arc is crisp. Duty cycle is about average. I've done vertical and overhead with this with great results.
Thank You for the tip on the bender.And review!
Thanks for the review. I’ve been curious about there welders. 👍🏻
Thanks for tour Dan!
Great video , thanks for sharing!
Paul
Thanks for the review. Might be considering buying one.
I have the protig 200 for almost two years, it works great! Used it for cast aluminum, mild steel and crime alloy, with excellent results! I’m very happy with it but like you said I’m upset they discontinued it. I haves used the Lincoln square wave and it Weld’s pretty much the same. Would be nice if it the brought it back. Post flow is long though.
I have had the Protig 200 for a couple of years. Use big blue with high freq at work that doesn't have pulse. Pulse makes thin work soo much easier. Every time I weld food grade stainless sheet or exhaust people can't believe it was from HF machine. I even repaired a ripped and punctured guide canoe!
Ready appreciate your review and option on this machine. Im really considering ths unit, especially after your review...thanks
thanks for posting. At last a real unbiased review after long time use instead of Typical out of the box videos given by the manufacturer. I really enjoyed the video. Your welds are fine. If you move the gun sideways a lot it is usually related to lack of heat. With proper heat input your gun motion should be minimal and your bead slightly convex. Weaving is not done on mig. weaving is a bad habit it increases heat input and makes unnecessary wide welds (except on vertical). (on your 1/4 weld test) I noticed you have knurled drive rolls in your machine, you should have u groove this drive roll is for tubular wire. the links are very useful i am subscribing. Cheers
Thanks for the video 🤙🏻
Bought an Omni few years ago, worked great untill it got a case of chewing dog.... Been so happy with the Vulcan line I've(also have the small Tig lunchbox) that I'm considering the Vulcan Mig.
Thank you for your long term use review.
They reintroduced the protig 205 and it's amazing! I love mine.
We own the new one as well. It is a great welder. Has updated pulse control and gas flow control.
Awesome vid as all ways n love the shop walk thru n the tools y'all use n all. Keep up the great work n hope u n ur Fam hav a very Marry Christmas n New yrs.. I'll b W aitn on the next vid as I always do
Ty,keep up the great work,
BTW... really enjoy your channel and what you are doing with your fab work !
I have 220 Vulcan and love it
Thanks for the video guys also FYI I have this machine if you want to step it up I purchased the new Lincoln magnum Pro175L mig gun. Plug and play for this machine and it is an unbelievable improvement.
Does the 175 magnum come in a longer Length. I find that 10' is not long enough for me.
@@waiteswaite I believe it’s 10 ft only but there are other options out there after market.
Great review thanks!
Welds sound very smooth while your'e migging.
Thanks nice video, great info on the welders
You bet
Thanks for the video
yep!
Great video!
Great video 👍
I love the Vulcan. I see some complaints of the gun not shooting wire out when you pull the trigger and mine did that once & thought oh no now what? Figured out I forgot to turn a switch on. The machine sounded like it was powered up and all as well which was weird. Flipped the switch and worked perfectly. Wondering if this is what happened to some of the others & thought the machine failed? That was my initial thought as well. But nope, was my fault.
i like the fact the on off switch is in front..?? something to consider when u have to turn off the welder quickly.. my next welder when i have some extra money..
No guard, handle, and a dead man switch on that grinder! PERFECT 👌. A wire wheel with everyone watching and a long shirt tail. 😆 Like your videos brother, great job. That is a nice shop.
I'm still not clear. Was this your opinion? I just bought this welder so your rave review (strictly your opinion) made me feel pretty good with the purchase. I had a Hobart 135 in the past and I really didn't like it very well and gave it away. Informative video, thanks.
This is Cool Thanks for sharing
for sure we're not experts but we've been using stuff for years and people are questioning the machines and they want to know if they're a good option. This is just our opinion from two guys building stuff. :) Thank you for stopping by the channel
Hey,
first off, thanks for taking the time to do this video. Very informative and I am in the market for one of these welders. The pain point for me… the cost of this is really pretty close to the Miller 211. Here is how i come to that conclusion:
Harbor Freight Welder :
MIGMax 215 = approx. 800.00
2 year warranty = 140.00
Replacement cost for the mig Gun = 200.00 ( everyone that has reviewed has said the guns on these are crap and have to be replaced, 200.00 is cost of a good gun. Not replacing crap with crap, but a comparable gun from a reputable Welding supply house)
Total is approx. 1300.00 with tax included
Miller Matic:
Miller 211 = 1220.00
3 year warranty = Free
NO need to replace gun = Free
support to get replacement parts for up to 20 years for this model = Free ( something that Miller does for all their products)
Resale value for Miller @ 60% after 3 years vs. Vulcan @ 10% after 3 years
Total is approx. 1305.40 out the door
It seems like its worth it to pay the extra 5.40 for the miller all things considered and the name and reputation of the Miller is a lot better than that of the Harbor Freight Vulcan. Now, the Vulcan would be more tempting if they brought back the 1 year free warranty and gave you the option to purchase an additional 2 year at conclusion of the 1 year free warranty, but they discontinued that last year.
HBF replacement plan is a PIA, what a pain to be taking my entire wilder in every time the Gas solenoid , or gun , or switch breaks.
I do have to say… i like the look and feel of the Vulcan much better than the Miller, but I'm not rich… cant afford to buy a new mig welder every 3 years ( planned obsolescence of the Vulcan)
This is just my research and observations over the past 3 weeks.
Miller warranty is not existent so you're paying out of pocket so if something happens tossing the welder in my truck running it down the harbor freight is a lot cheaper than having the source parts that I got to wait forever to get.
I've been using the same gun on the harbor freight now for a very long time I don't understand the need to replace it I actually like the gun very much. It's all personal preference.
Miller does not just give you replacement parts for 20 years that is not true at all. If something goes wrong you're going to be paying out of pocket and parts are very very expensive. I've owned Miller's and it's been a very unpleasant experience when you need to change stuff.
@@carbonshocks Sorry if my point was confusing, will respond in line with your comments, to try to make better sense of what I was trying to point out and please understand, this is only in the interest of trying to understand the best and most economic investment for me and your viewers on a big ticket item like this. I'm really leaning towards the HBF / Vulcan, but still stuck on Value / trade -offs….
“Miller warranty is not existent so you're paying out of pocket” it is my understanding that Miller has a 3 year warranty. Harbor freight has a 90 day. You have to pay for the extended warranty. The ESP from Harbor Freight and it is only for two additional years, not 3 years like the Miller welder. The Harbor Freight ESP for this Welder in this video is about $140.00. So the Miller Welder is covered for 3 years ( included in price of welder).
“harbor freight is a lot cheaper than having the source parts that I got to wait forever to get.” You do make a really good point !
“Miller does not just give you replacement parts for 20 years that is not true at all.” This was not what I meant ( not the idea i was trying to convey), I was speaking to the point that Miller will support their product for 20 years. So, if / when your Miller warranty is up, and a part breaks, you can purchase ( out of your pocket) parts for your Miller welder for 20 years. Not the case with Harbor freight products. Historically Harbor Freight does not support their products after about 3~5 years. So the option you might have is to return your welder after the 2 year ESP expires and get a new one. However, I have had a bad experience with this when it has come to other items such as power saws , masonry saws from Harbor fright and attempting to execute the ESP. Also, I think with HBF , you have to have a defective product , or issue with it in order to return if for a new one… if its not broke .. I would have a hard time / dishonest lying about it .. the big guy Upstairs frowns on that :)
You guys are awesome, only thing that could use some work is your lighting. I wont be able to make the live feed so I thought I throw that out.
We have improved a lot and it's great now.
Just curious how it does with flux core? I don't usually have a place to weld out of the wind
I've never seen a ground clamp that didn't get completely fragged. That's a nice fix though.
Can the 215 do both 120 and 220 power? Trying to buy one machine for my home shop. Also is it strictly mig? I’ve already got a Chicago electric flux core welder and a Lincoln tombstone stick welder but I am looking for a mug welder and I think I want a 220? Or can this do both? Trying to educate myself before purchase, thank you for your video great information.
Question.....Can you suggest a good welding helmet.....I can't find the link to the one in your video? thank you..
Seems like just about every machine I've used professionally with an auto set, is usually a bit hot. Just use the AWS tolerances for voltage and wire feed speed and fine tune from there.
Will it fully penetrate 1/4"? I have some 4 link brackets and air bag brackets I need to weld on my rear axle and a diy jeep xj bumper that I'm making a real hitch for out of 2" x 1/4 wall tubing
Quarter yeah absolutely. It's 215 amp machine you can weld up the half inch with that amperage
Just recently, HB brought it back as the protig 205. I don't know what changes they have made or if it compares to the 200.
If they brought it back they might have nerfed it
I think they pulled that tig machine to relase their tig205 machine, i haven't seen any reviews on it yet but a couple on yours
I bought the Pro Tig 200 it was my first tig and I had high hopes for it. I only kept it for a few weeks and returned it. I got super frustrated about all the false starts. It wouldn’t start more often than it would. Do you ever have problems with the high frequency start? Also it seemed to go through so much argon because of the long post flow and no way to change it. I felt like eventually I would make up the difference in price of a more reliable one just in wasted argon.
The post flow is looking my no doubt there. Never had a false start though.
what tube bender is that?
So the extremely loud buzzing while welding with the pro tig 200 is normal? Yours sounds the same as mine. A buddy of mine who does a lot of tig welding was thrown off by it
That's just what AC tig welding on aluminum sounds like. The guys at my work run 5,000$ Lincolns that sound the same
Protig 205 is its replacement. Ordered mine today. I kicked myself for not getting the 200, so I jumped on the new 205.
Oh wow that must have just come out! Its looks way different. Is is AC/DC ?
Yes sir, it’s AC/DC. If you do a search for it on the HF website you’ll see it.
Have you received yours yet, just ordered mine yesterday
zack dixon, have not, still waiting. Hopefully they have them ready to ship!
Subscribed!
Come on HBF ..... Bring back that 1 year free warranty for the Vulcan line.. don't be so greedy!
What? It doesn't have it?
@@carbonshocks Yes they no longer have that option with the Vulcan line, or the other lines for that matter.. that is why its so hard for me to make the Vulcan choice... Its even listed on the box " 1 year no risk" but the manager and that Corp center told me this is no longer the case... only 90 day.
@@stevetruth4605 Thanks for the info. You just made up my mind.
looks like MigMax specs out a little stronger than the Lincoln Power Mig 180 ran on 220v with input current of 20 amps, 120V: 30-140 A 230V: 30-180 A
Whereas the MigMax 215 does @ 120v: 30 - 140amps, 220v: 30 -220 A
Is there an aluminim spool gun available for this?
Yes
What settings i need if i want flatter welds in my mold steel im using .035 wire 100% argon and 220v , thanks from firestone Colorado,also very good skills boody
Just get a machine and weld I don't give advice
What settimgs u use⁹
First of all you need to use the right gas. 75/25
Why buy the 215 if the 200 does it all? I'm trying to buy a new welding setup
Where’s the tube polisher grinder attachment !?!?
Yeah thats a good one! I knew we missed some stuff!
So I'm 71 have never really welded,but I'm retired and would like to teach myself. I have used a welder,but not well. Do they make a machine that AC-DC stick,and mig welds?
Gary Burchett everlast and Eastwood make a machine that does it all. There a few companies that make multi process machine. The two mentioned are semi affordable. I’m not sure if Vulcan makes one or not. There are other companies that make them also. They are closer to the $3000 range and over though. I have an everlast tig/stick/plasma machine. I love it. It was about $1700.
Yea they do make one that might, flux core mig, stick, and DC tig
They make one called a omnipro 220 that's a multi process machine.
HF replaced it with the ProTig 205 - which is an upgrade.
Big Miller user. Looking to step outside the box.
I have the Vulcan tig 200, how do I get it so the gas doesn’t stay on after I’m done laying a bead?
You want the gas to stay on it's called post flow
You'll want it to stay on for a few seconds after finishing
Where can I find the tube bender?
Pro tools look up on google
Play around with the frequency on the ac tig, it shouldn’t be sounding like that, it should sound higher pitch at a constant rate and not be having a pitch change
Ive got the titanium 200 unlimited. 🤷🏼♂️ i weld the fuck out of it. Never had any issues. It welds perfectly fine. Also they have two vulcan tig welders now. The 165 and 205
Looking for anyone's input on how this holds up to TIG welding chassis' or the OmniPro 220. I'm going to weld a tubed front end on my fox(so it needs to be very good quality and a solid weld). Anyone's opinion is greatly appreciated in advance.
Well if you look at the rest of our channel you can see everything we do and it does just fine
You could TIG with the same quality as MIG but not efficient. What ever process you use just know you’re getting adequate penetration.
Hey man, I also own the migmax 215 and LOVE it. I have made a ton of money with that thing. The only thing I've noticed is that it seems to use a TON of gas. I've looked for leaks on the exterior/hoses/reg ect. To no avail. Have you noticed yours using more gas than other welders?
I ultimately have not noticed it on the MIG Max however on the pro Tig yes it does have a very long post flow which is not a bad thing but it's a little bit too long in my opinion and I think you waste a bit of gas
@@carbonshocks right on guys! Thanks for the reply! I can burn through a 150cf bottle in a day or 2 worth of welding no problem so that's why I was curious. May have to pull the case off and see what I can figure out
Might have your gas flow to high... That's really fast.
I only run about 22 psi on my flow
@@hiflier921 psi? Or cfm? Psi will be too much gas
Concerning the MIGMax 215, if you put the thickness knob at 3/8 for 3/8" metal or 10, and then look at the setting info on the lid, you will find that the recommenced setting for 0.45 flux core wire is J/8.5. I brought this discrepancy to the attention of Harbor Freight Technical Support but they had to escalate it to a corporate engineer, I understand. Also, another example of a discrepancy, for instance, is the recommended setting for 0.035 solid wire and C100. On the lid for 240 volts for 1/8" it says D4 but if you set the left knob at 1/8" on the front panel to 1/8" the corresponding point is midway between 6 and 7. Are the synergic settings and the manual settings supposed to be so much different?
I understand you are supposed to refer to the chart on the lid for the manual settings and for the synergic settings, you go by the orange highlighted thicknesses that are around the thickness knob.
Can anyone explain the discrepancies I have found? Thanks.
I’ve been welding for 30 years. Don’t think to deep about the settings. They are only a reference. For example if you have a long extension cord the machine will run colder than if you used a shorter one. Learning to set the machine for yourself will teach you to be more skillful. Confidence is key.
Very good points... One person''s settings are another nightmare
What about the extremely short warranty for the MigMax 215? Harbor freight doesn't provide many replacement parts and no printed circuit boards or liner. Any comments?
Might want to really research other co.panies fine print warranties. For the cost of parts you can just go buy a new machine. We have 3 in house zero issue this far and going on like what... 4 years now? Weld constantly and do just fine. I don't buy a part for it's warranty lol. I buy what fits the bill and let me tell you... These rigs are legit and have made us hundreds of thousands
@@carbonshocks So if a switch or front panel control fails out of warranty, I'm supposed to spend maybe $850 to buy a whole new welder? This is nonsense.
@@runningwater5936 lol 😂 have you price Miller stuff?? It's pretty much that. Or... Just buy the warranty for like 80 a year.. any issue and they just replace it. I could care less what people think we're just sharing our experience. Complain all you want and go buy something else that makes you happy 😎🤙
@@carbonshocks It doesn't sound like you are considering the reality if you are unlucky and a part fails that cannot be replaced after the warranty ends.
I thought I would tell you the wheel you are using on the feeder is not the correct one for that wire it is for Flux core you are supposed to use the smooth for plain wire and the u shaped for aluminum wire
Whatever you say lol 😉
THere is fixing to be the pro tig 205 back at harbor freight by vulcan.
Actually just heard about that yesterday. It's AC/DC
Good news. HF now sells the successor of the ProTig 200 which is now called the ProTig 205. It has a freaking screen on it now. lol
It's called the defuser
What gas are u using and what settings
This dude sorta sounds like John bolushi if you close your eyes
$575 ? Does it still cost that much?
No little more. Inflation!
@@carbonshocks will this welder do 3/8 or 1/2?
Hey Dingus!! You gonna make a video about how great harbor freight welders are compared to miller, lincoln and hobart atleast dont mislead the people that it runs a "point 35 wire"
Lol you can run whatever wire you want. .30 .35 lol. Pleae explain where something was misleading. We explained our years of experience with them and they work great.
You have never run a wire that is close to a third of a inch in diameter. You can't even buy wire in the sizes you just referenced again meat head
I'm sorry .035 lol wow your life must suck if this is acting like a complete fool is what you need to do to have fun. Glad my life is not that crappy.
"Inserts my life is better than yours post"
🤣
Internet warriors are idiots who can't make it in the real world. Lol
@@lylegrenoble2055 so do you feel better that you saved the world from a typo hahaha.
@@lylegrenoble2055 and finally It makes sense why your a moron. Who names their kid lyle.... Go back to west virginia and collect your unemployment checks. Lol 😂
We need a video where you give... constructive criticism to Preston on his welding.
What? Nah
@@carbonshocks you know that would make for some comedy.
Ray c I’m down!!! 100% think that’s a great idea!! I’ll show y’all I don’t suck as much as you think
@@GARAGEIdiotS you don't suck..
@@GARAGEIdiotS I never said you suck. I just think it would be a great interaction where comedy insues.
Your Vulcan 200 does way better than my Everlast 250EX. It definitely has a defect; can't weld more than 1" bead without the tungsten blobbing up. Its been back to their shop twice ( big $$$$ ). Still junk.
So, I guess this is the welder you _predominantly_ use.
Yeah for what we do we've enjoyed using these welders over the last couple years with zero issues
14:01 the mandibula might need a few spot welds, little loose
Be careful with aluminum fumes brother. Dont breathenthose fumes. Wear a respirator have good ventilation and fans.. (alzheimers)
they work almost as hard as the slaves that build them. hahaha they do good work tho.
Sound like you're going 115mph..
Did i win? 🤣
Watch and find out :)
Trust me i am love the content
Nope not me this time congratulations! Peter
Reference to 16:47....your welds suck! (Me in real life: shit, wish I could weld like that)
Just trying to educate you on your equipment so you know how to use it correctly
If your going to provide education you might want to first have an understanding of the subject. There is no welded that would use aluminum in the machine. The only way to use aluminum is with a spool gun. The metal is to fragile and won't go through. You can only use a spool gun.
So the claim that the said wheel is for aluminum is false for many reasons.
Don't worry about trying to correct the world. Just chill and enjoy content. ;)
He said $575 with coupon for the Mig Max 215, That was when Trump was in office. This goes for just under $800 with a coupon now, which is rare, while normally it's $929.
I picked mine up for $375 used by a guy that bought it when Trump was in office.
I think harbor freight is going to put everyone else out of business, do to there GREED. Every one else is making there stuff cheaper & cheaper & harbor freight is taking some pride in the equipment. Go harbor freight
Smells like lung cancer…