Welded a joint with a Harbor Freight stinger after using a Miller for 5 years straight

The arc was all over the place and I burned through three rods before I got a clean bead, has anyone else noticed that big a difference switching between budget and pro gear on a job?

2 comments

2 Comments

sethp2624d ago

Are we really acting like burning through a few rods is the end of the world? I've used cheap sticks before and once you adjust the heat a bit they work fine for most jobs. Sounds more like a technique issue than a tool problem.

grant_ross2724d ago

Man, you're hitting on something way bigger than just welding rods. It feels like everywhere you look people want to blame the gear instead of looking in the mirror. Like at my old job, guys would complain about a machine not working right, but they never checked if they were using it correctly. It's the same with cheap tools or materials - yeah, they're not perfect, but most of the time you can make them work if you're patient and adjust your approach. People just want a magic fix instead of putting in the practice.