Harbor Freight Stud Welder

[TLoz]

Has anybody had any trouble with a HF Stud Welder. I can't seem to get it to function to my liking. It took about 25 studs to get 5 to pull good. The surface was clean bare metal, I was pulling straight, trigger time ranged from a tap to about 3 seconds-didn't have any burn throughs. Is this just a matter of "you get what you pay for"? I can get a H&S for twice the price, but will it be any better? Am I missing something? Thanks in advance. Tom

[72freak]

Made in China?

[BarryB]

Which size studs are you using??? The smaller ones don't have enough grab to work with the thicker metal of older vehicles.
I have used one from Harbor Freight, no problems once I stepped up the size on the studs.

[Shane]

I've used the Harbor Freight version without issue too ...

as far as Made In China, that doesn't fly anymore ... check this out

CHINA
Snap-on (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Room 1608, East Tower China Merchants Plaza
No. 333 Chengdu North Road, Shanghai 200041, China
Ph: +86-21-5298 0638
Fax: +86-21-5298 0639
e-mail: eSales.cn@snapon.com

[72freak]

Made in China is still made in China......If Snap On is now made there than thats one more company I wont be buying things from.

Lets have some pride.......Lets send a message!

I know its hard to find products not made in China but I have managed to do it for over 2 years now with very few exceptions.

And believe it or not...Im NOT union!!!.

The below is just an office......not a manufacturing facility.....
CHINA
Snap-on (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Room 1608, East Tower China Merchants Plaza
No. 333 Chengdu North Road, Shanghai 200041, China

[vintagesteel]

Originally Posted by 72freak

Made in China is still made in China......If Snap On is now made there than thats one more company I wont be buying things from.

Lets have some pride.......Lets send a message!

I know its hard to find products not made in China but I have managed to do it for over 2 years now with very few exceptions.

And believe it or not...Im NOT union!!!.

The below is just an office......not a manufacturing facility.....
CHINA
Snap-on (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Room 1608, East Tower China Merchants Plaza
No. 333 Chengdu North Road, Shanghai 200041, China

I think you need to look at your "very few exceptions". The computer you are using, the keyboard, the monitor, the tv, parts on your car etc...
There MIGHT be a handful of things made that haven't had chinese hands on them. Besides, Snap-on is a VENDOR like MAC and MATCO. They don't make all of the things they sell. They contract it out like everybody else does.

[bad6772]

A buddy at work has the H.F one....It gets used alot ...Never heard him say anything but good things about it..And on a side note..I buy with best price and quality in mind....Where its made has influence on me......

[Shane]

Originally Posted by 72freak

The below is just an office......not a manufacturing facility.....
CHINA
Snap-on (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Room 1608, East Tower China Merchants Plaza
No. 333 Chengdu North Road, Shanghai 200041, China

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but ...

http://www.snapon.com.cn/snapon/en/index.htm

Founded in 1920, Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and supplier of　tools and equipment solutions for professional users. Our products and services can be found in more than 150 countries around the world.

Our professional products include hand tools, power tools, tool storages, cutting tools, and equipments. SNAP-ON and BAHCO tools are market leaders among aviation, automotive and industrial segments. JOHNBEAN and HOFMANN provide high-quality, affordable, expert under-car equipment including wheel aligners, wheel balancers, tire changers and vehicle lifts.

With an 86-year experience, Snap-on now focus on China. We set up a factory with well-trained engineers and workers in Kunshan, China. The world-class products produced are not only for China market, but for all the Asia Pacific Area. We also established a trading company, Snap-on Trading ( Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Our professional team can serve the customers throughout the country through a distribution network consisted of 6 Branch Offices and over 120 resellers.

Snap-on have strength in our resources and capabilities. We are continuously investing in products, training and distribution reach. We are committed to the market place and our customers. Snap-on will continuously demonstrate its strong solutioneer approach through quality, experience, innovation, and customer services.

Don't get me wrong, I'm as patriotic as the next guy, and try to buy Made in the USA when I can, but in this day and age of Global Markets and Economics, China IS the manufacturing center of the world. I don't like it anymore than the next guy, because I make my living and feed my family by selling to manufacturers here in the U.S.

[TLoz]

All,
The stud size I'm using is 1/8". Tried it again last night-still poor results. I'm going to return it Monday and get a H&S.

Thanks, Tom

[72freak]

Originally Posted by vintagesteel

I think you need to look at your "very few exceptions". The computer you are using, the keyboard, the monitor, the tv, parts on your car etc...
There MIGHT be a handful of things made that haven't had chinese hands on them. .

My post mentioned I have made an effort over the past 2 years. I have not bought a TV, computer, mouse, keyboard, monitor. There are so many things that have Chinese hands in them its hard to do but we can all do our part and try to limit the things we buy that are made in China.. I actually went to Northern of all places today and spent several hundred dollars and not 1 thing was made in China. I went to the parts store after that and spend $250 and everthing was made in Mexico or USA.
Its not, nor will ever be possible to live life without Chinese products but we do have options and I choose to make an effort to limit the "Chinese" purchases to only the things I cant get that were made any place else. I also have not stepped foot in a Walmart in 2 years either...that helps with limiting the made in China crap that comes home.

We got a little off track from the original post.....when you buy the cheap line of "made in China" type crap tools form Harbor frieght, Northern and all the other discount places ...you have to expect some level of poor quality and performance from them. If the product you bought is NOt working to your satisfaction...TAKE IT BACK!!!

[Kabwe]

I never had an issue using my HF stud welder either.

[mexgrhd68]

Originally Posted by TLoz

Has anybody had any trouble with a HF Stud Welder. I can't seem to get it to function to my liking. It took about 25 studs to get 5 to pull good. The surface was clean bare metal, I was pulling straight, trigger time ranged from a tap to about 3 seconds-didn't have any burn throughs. Is this just a matter of "you get what you pay for"? I can get a H&S for twice the price, but will it be any better? Am I missing something? Thanks in advance. Tom

My son uses one, and the only problem he has is the slide hammer, it doesn't grip the stud good enough so he uses a small vise grip to add more pressure on the hammer where the stud slides into. Other than that, works perfect. He uses the thicker studs, for he works on older vehicles, his 54 caddy, his buddies 65 el camino, my 68 chevy truck.

[S10Fan]

A friend of mine is still using the same HF gun purchased 4 years ago. No issues at all and he works in a body shop, not just "home" use.

[ChopperDr]

Sounds like it's hit or miss with the HF gun. No regrets with my H&S. They might look the same, but they are not.

Chop