I've been snooping around at various small portable "toaster" stick welders for a while. I think I've narrowed my choice down to this last "finalist" in my mind, but I'd like to get a few other opinions here about this machine. Even if you haven't used this small transformer model, what's your opinion on it and the company (Forney) in general?
My purpose for this machine is for limited and occasional "throw-down" of some 1/16" electrodes and maybe some 5/64's. Hauling a Lincoln AC-225 or even my Miller 211 and flux core wire around for a quickie touch up weld is waaaaay to much for my back these days.
I'm looking at this Forney model 95FI-A....
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60 second video on the machine:
http://youtu.be/j7j8l23Br-I
Here's my pros on why I narrowed it down to this particular unit:
-It's 90 DC amp output on a 120v, 20A circuit. I figure for 1/16" 6011's, I can run the box on even a 15A circuit with around 50 +/- amps output. The box only weighs 29lbs and that's nothing. The extra 10A output beats the HF 80A inverter.
-Main Voltage: 120V Max OCV: 37V Duty Cycle: 20% @ 60 Amps Output Range: 30 Amps - 90 Amps*
-It's transformer based and to me, I like transformers. Less to go wrong and I believe they can take more abuse, unlike circuit boards and such of an inverter. (Just my opinion on that, I could be wrong).
-I know I could get a HF 80A inverter, but that one is only 80 amps and made in China. A ThermalArc (TA) inverter is extremely nice too, but they are about $110 more than this Forney transformer. I don't mind a small transformer welder for the occasional small bead I need to put down while away from home. Plus, this Forney comes with a warranty that is better than HF's "new" warranty policy (which is crap now!).
-I like many products from Forney. With my experience, they've always been a company that makes extremely simple yet reliable, no bull$h!t stuff, minus all the bells & whistles. Forney also makes this exact welder, but they paint it gloss red and place a "Craftsman" decal on it. Sears sells it for about $100 more than other places that sell the Forney label model.
-Found it just under $150.00 with free shipping and no tax. That's a HUGE "pro" for me.
So, my cons......
-Its about 17 pounds heavier than an inverter.
-It doesn't look as "cool" as an inverter.
-It's not an inverter. (I knows "Make up your mind SuperArc!) :dizzy:
Other than that, I can't think of anything else "negatively" with this machine. I'm asking any other WW members here if y'all have any opinions on this welder and if you think its a good buy for the extremely LIMITED use I'll be giving it.
I value everyone's opinion here. Thanks.
My purpose for this machine is for limited and occasional "throw-down" of some 1/16" electrodes and maybe some 5/64's. Hauling a Lincoln AC-225 or even my Miller 211 and flux core wire around for a quickie touch up weld is waaaaay to much for my back these days.
I'm looking at this Forney model 95FI-A....
60 second video on the machine:
http://youtu.be/j7j8l23Br-I
Here's my pros on why I narrowed it down to this particular unit:
-It's 90 DC amp output on a 120v, 20A circuit. I figure for 1/16" 6011's, I can run the box on even a 15A circuit with around 50 +/- amps output. The box only weighs 29lbs and that's nothing. The extra 10A output beats the HF 80A inverter.
-Main Voltage: 120V Max OCV: 37V Duty Cycle: 20% @ 60 Amps Output Range: 30 Amps - 90 Amps*
-It's transformer based and to me, I like transformers. Less to go wrong and I believe they can take more abuse, unlike circuit boards and such of an inverter. (Just my opinion on that, I could be wrong).
-I know I could get a HF 80A inverter, but that one is only 80 amps and made in China. A ThermalArc (TA) inverter is extremely nice too, but they are about $110 more than this Forney transformer. I don't mind a small transformer welder for the occasional small bead I need to put down while away from home. Plus, this Forney comes with a warranty that is better than HF's "new" warranty policy (which is crap now!).
-I like many products from Forney. With my experience, they've always been a company that makes extremely simple yet reliable, no bull$h!t stuff, minus all the bells & whistles. Forney also makes this exact welder, but they paint it gloss red and place a "Craftsman" decal on it. Sears sells it for about $100 more than other places that sell the Forney label model.
-Found it just under $150.00 with free shipping and no tax. That's a HUGE "pro" for me.
So, my cons......
-Its about 17 pounds heavier than an inverter.
-It doesn't look as "cool" as an inverter.
-It's not an inverter. (I knows "Make up your mind SuperArc!) :dizzy:
Other than that, I can't think of anything else "negatively" with this machine. I'm asking any other WW members here if y'all have any opinions on this welder and if you think its a good buy for the extremely LIMITED use I'll be giving it.
I value everyone's opinion here. Thanks.
