Test Driving the Vulcan MigMax 215 Welder

New tool in the garage! I've been running a Lincoln Weldpak 100 for a couple decades and finally decided to upgrade to a MIG that runs 240 volts. In this video I unbox a new Vulcan MigMax 215 from Harbor Freight and get a first impression, plus show my skills using solid wire without gas. LOL
Not going to lie, I didn't really expect this sort of quality from Harbor Freight.

[@Maxwelshouse1]

My titanium 200 burned up after one year. Glad I purchased the warranty. I upgraded to this mig Max. I liked the titanium but I love my Max 215. They both Welded great but the Is big Max 215 feels much more solid.

[@zacht9887]

Great video, thank you! The ending just about killed me. "There ya go.......there ya go......there you have it" 🤣🤣🤣

[@cliffpage7677]

The 220V plugs are not stove plugs. A stove plug has three straight blades. This is the standard 220 Welder plug used today; You can get a 220 Welder adapter to various other 220 V. female boxes. I bought one on ebay for around $25. All my 220 V. boxes use the old standard stove plug. I would not advise cutting the plug. Buy an adapger.

[@hmmm367]

You probably found out already, but it’s an adapter to fit the regulator to a 100% co2 tank for shielding gas. More economical than 75/25 for sure.

[@peltiereric6497]

That adapter you didn’t know the purpose of is for shielding gas if you decide to cheap out and use straight CO2 cylinders instead of Argon CO2 Blend cylinders because you need that adapter to use the straight CO2 cylinders but here in the US almost nobody uses that because while it does work it’s not a great shielding gas option but overseas where options are not easily available CO2 cylinders can still be found almost anywhere

[@DoctorTorque]

About time, slacker.

[@JuventinoOrtega-r8y]

Porque cuando paras de soldar sigue tirando gas

[@DIRTDUMMY1]

Your drive roller with the .045... option looks to be knurled for flux cored wire. The other offers .025... as it looks to be a "V" or "U" shaped drive wheel for solid MIG wire. Sound like a pretty decent guess?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

yes, seems like it. I've run solid .023 and .030 quite a bit now and it's been fine with both.

[@JuventinoOrtega-r8y]

Porque cuando paras de soldar sigue tirando gas 22:34

[@chrisjones5972]

postflow

[@brockwagner939]

All the reviews I've watched call this a decent welder for the money. But it now comes with a confidence inspiring 90 day warranty! I guess you just keep buying new machines when they crap out after a couple years of infrequent use. Guess we have entered the world of disposable welders 🤦‍♂️

[@TheProchargedmopar]

👍💪

[@MrPsh-xs7ul]

Is this welder anything comparable to a millermatic 211?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

I went into it thinking there was no way it would be, but so far I think it's surprisingly comparable. I really like it, and I really didn't expect to.

[@MrPsh-xs7ul]

@@YoshimoshiGarage I just went and looked at one at my local harbor freight. It seems well built. I’d never need anything welded over 3/8. I need it mainly for roll cages in my trucks nothing much thicker than that. U think it would be good for that? Also I see where it adjusts on the left knob for different thicknesses. Is the right knob for wire speed? It looks comparable to a millermatic 211. I had the 211 and absolutely loved it

[@duridersa]

Wait so will machine take .032 wire?

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

I can't think of any reason it wouldn't

[@vart7767]

buy a miller spend the money

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Many (most) hobbyists can't justify spending 3 times a much for a Miller when they weld maybe one weekend a month. That extra $2k+ could be used for a lot of other things, even if it's just to advance other projects in the garage.

[@davids3915]

Most parts are unavailable, even the mig gun is unavailable.

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

As replacement parts generally, or just they're hard to find? There's a 180 amp Vulcan gun on their web site that looks like it's in stock, but I've not had to replace anything but consumables so far.

[@davidroberts3489]

@@YoshimoshiGarage the gun is available online only thru harbor freight and liners ,plus all the consumables are available at stores

[@keithme4575]

Buyer beware my 215 lasted 1year 95 days, yes 5 days out of warranty. There are no service manuals or parts available for this unit you are on your own they told me to take it to a welding repair shop, good luck with that as they will have nothing to go by to troubleshoot it.. I am out about 1000.00 on a welder I used less than a dozen times!!!

[@YoshimoshiGarage]

Ouch, that sucks!

[@vadimssipolnieks2103]

Thicker wire will work better

[@JuventinoOrtega-r8y]

Porque cuando paras de soldar sigue tirando gas

[@JuventinoOrtega-r8y]

Porque cuando paras de soldar sigue tirando gas