Harbor Freight Welder Vulcan Omnipro 220 Review | Best Welder For Beginners | How To Weld Flux Core|

Today we will be going over whether or not purchasing the omnipro 220 welder made by vulcan and harbor freight is a good idea. Most of my audience wants to know how to weld with flux core wire so this review will be based on using flux core welding as its main purpose but this welder can handle much more than gasless welding. This welder is not what I would call a cheap welder or budget welder, especially if this is the tool that will allow you to get your feet wet. I feel the sheer number of settings would confuse most newbie welders and that those types of people should be relegated to simpler machines in order to get the basics down first such as travel speed and hand control. Find out if this welder will be your next big purchase. the ideas and opinions of this machine is purely my own and I am not affiliated with the harbor freight company or any of its competitors. For those of you in the mood to find out how to weld and are anxious to know how to weld in order to get your own goals settled. TLDR Master a cheap, reliable, consistant welder before throwing down the big bucks. Will this be the best welder for beginners? We will find out today!
Vulcan Omnipro 220 Review | Best Welder For Beginners? | How To Weld Series |
#Vulcan #Harborfreight #omnipro220

[@StageShout]

Had this welder for 3 years. Works perfect and never had an issue. Great for sheet metal and medium projects. Easy to use and built well.

[@nimmyq4370]

Do you know how to fix the settings for a Vulcan flux core welding wire .035 mild steel? My wire is feeding but not melting I’m not too sure why?

[@StageShout]

@nimmyq4370 bad ground. In settings you can change the size of your wire. Hit home button. And input settings. Then check your ground and make sure it's fully plugged in and properly connected to a good ground.

[@Synic08]

I have this same welder... I went to school for welding, and have been part time welding ever since.... I’ve ran Lincoln’s and millers “equivalent” multiprocess welders.... they are VERY compairable.... the Miller is “different” in its gun and ground, but it’s almost identical to the Lincoln... I’ve had mine for 3 years this past Christmas, and it’s still going strong... I take care of it, I have a cover on it when not using, I’ve dusted it out lightly with air once... but, other than that, I’ve ran about 5 big spools of wire and 2 bottles of gas, and I’m on the original electrode... looks like new...

[@NightWrencher]

I have several dozen hours on this machine and have had it dragging in the dirt on a few jobs and still no issues. I'm taking better care of it now, but when you're being rushed to get something done, sometimes the tools take a beating.

[@joshwestlake5458]

In the digital settings where it shows 2 different settings for aluminum with a spool gun, it's not for two different spool guns, it's for two different types of aluminum wire. Just for clarification is all.

[@CVBigTex]

I have a garage shop and space is premium for me. I understand your point on separate machines but to have different capabilities I think this welder would suit my needs. Great content and thanks for your input. 😎🇺🇸

[@NightWrencher]

To each their own needs, either way, this machine will take care of whatever you need to get done in a small garage so no complaints

[@makniphacent415]

I can honestly say this video was extremely helpful… Thank you!!!

[@NightWrencher]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@of-Israel]

Seen one in a pawn shop for 700 I got them to sale for 400. I'm pumped my ole Chicago electric 170 has served me well I'm sure this one will do.

[@larryguevara3350]

I bought the unlimited 200 as a returned for 450 as a second welder to my hobart 190. Has a tig torch included. And is portable at 20lbs. I see a lot of theses welders for sale second hand in new condition. People buy them then don't want to pay for the bottle of gas or 220 outlet then end up selling them.

[@NightWrencher]

Exactly right 👌

[@ChristopherJones16]

You made me rethink this purchase and consider the ProTIG 205 now.

[@NightWrencher]

I'm not sure if I would make the same choice if I could do it again

[@jasontrotter4715]

👍🏾I'm about to head out and git me one of these!!🙋🏾‍♂️

[@dennycooper3075]

You won’t regret it. This welder is a lot better than he is telling people in this video

[@driverjamescopeland]

I'm not saying you won't find a more capable welder for the money... but you definitely can't find one with the combination of flexibility, ease of use, AND the convenience features, for the same price. You just won't.

[@duanecalhoon3322]

When he said 5356 was for a different gun said enough for me

[@toomuchwelding1013]

Generally you can "bend" the contacts in a mig gun to adjust the trigger sensitivity

[@Zandermp77]

I appreciate the thorough review, does this welder require you to buy a different gun to flux core weld or does it come with it?

[@NightWrencher]

The mig gun included can do both mig as well as flux core. Tried ordering a replacement gun for it though and its been 3 months and no update

[@jayrose9463]

You said you only use 110 then compared it’s performance to a 220 machine?

[@dennycooper3075]

This welder is a great machine if you run it on 220. No welder is that great on 110 unless you’re welding thinner material

[@CarlosDiaz-uc7ri]

Lol literally what I thought, especially when he said it doesn’t run that hot or fast, like what do you expect at 110?

[@jeffb5463]

Nice video! I am upgrading from the Vulcan 140

[@shawng7902]

When it was $900 it looked pretty good. Now you have to spend $1500 to tig weld for it all. The big brands are looking way more reasonable.

[@NightWrencher]

Yeswelder has a multiprocess welder for half the price

[@protectork9831]

What generator you have and is it running your welder too

[@takeniteasyfriend]

Excellent breakdown. Thanks

[@NightWrencher]

Thank you!

[@gillerizedworksaws9561]

Harbor freight where I live comes with might gun tig gun and pedal and a spool for just over a grand

[@DeezNuttz_BoffaDem]

Hmmm, they don’t really carry special equipment at certain Harbor Freight stores. Sure some have different or more inventory, but they don’t ship model #VW220-OP Welder to your store with all the accessories for $1100 and ship model #VW220-OP welder to my store without the accessories for $1100. You’re misinformed.

[@JoseCruz-ck1bo]

Can I weld aluminum with a tig torch with this machine?

[@driverjamescopeland]

Most of the griping about this welder, comes from people who either know NOTHING about welding, or have zero experience with other welders. For example, just listen to the gripes here "it's not complete", "I have to get up and switch lead connections", "you have to buy a spool gun", "you have to buy a TIG kit", "you have to buy gas".... what the hell, dude? You want it to hold the metal too? I mean damn. Literally the ONLY problem you mentioned that's specific to this welder, is the MIG stinger's trigger. At least you get one with it 🤷‍♂️ FYI- if you take the cover off and clean up the contacts in that switch every now and again, you won't have that problem. By the way... a stinger is an accessory. Beyond that, it's a wear part... a consumable. You literally bought an intelligent control, digital tough screen interface, multi-process welder (that's just the box, by the way), for less than a thousand bucks... and you're complaining about something that isn't even part of the welder. I came here for a legitimate review of a welder... and what I got was some guy complaining.... because he thinks "multi-process" on the box means they should supply you with not only the welder, but every possible damned accessory you can use with it, AND the gas 🤦‍♂️

[@CarlosDiaz-uc7ri]

Don’t forget he’s running it at 110 while comparing it to welders he runs at 220 lol

[@andrewg8888]

Did you ever have an issue with the wire feeder?

[@NightWrencher]

Not yet, the trigger in the gun wore out prematurely but I got another one for not much money

[@garypostell5268]

Max volts and wire speed?

[@paigejohnson2144]

Can you do flux core with gas?

[@NightWrencher]

Yes, thats called dual shield. Pipe welders use that. Its much more expensive than regular flux core or mig

[@Nick-ih5em]

A lot of complaining in this video for no reason.

[@joeynino6577]

Yes. I'm hearing a lot of laziness too

[@dennycooper3075]

I have this welder and have no complaints. He acts like it takes 30 minutes to switch from mig to stick lol. Literally 2 minutes even if you aren’t trying to be quick about it. Personally I’m glad it didn’t come with the tig gun. Gives you the option of buying an upgraded tig gun that works better than the Vulcan brand, which isn’t that bad honestly. This welder is worth every dime

[@Nick-ih5em]

@@dennycooper3075 yup.

[@RussellCambell]

Parts availability?

[@NightWrencher]

Im not sure if you can buy parts to service the machine. Probably not

[@volkregjaku2295]

question # Can you a wild heavy duty

[@alessandronarom6751]

Do you still have the 3vze 4runner i think it was i have a pickup 89 3vze wss wondering if maybe i can pick your brain maybe even do some work on mine if you still do that. Im not that far from you if you're still in the same area.

[@NightWrencher]

Hey man, I still have 1 4runner and 1 pickup but they're not running right now, been too busy to fix them. You can ask me any questions, but I don't work on other peoples cars.

[@alessandronarom6751]

@@NightWrencher what if i brought cookies and strawberry milk?! Would you work on it then? 😂 Ok so im mi finding that the mls head gasket is better than ones feom oreilly or autozone but then that the surfaces have to be done a certain way to make that gasket work right costing more and more work. I just found out that toyota makes a new "redesigned" head gasket (what ever that means) so to make thw engine better seal, performance and last longer. Is that true if you know? And whats the difference than the one autozone & orielly sells? Do you know if headers are a good idea for it (from ebay) to replace the cross over pipe? I have to replace it some say weld it others say it cant be welded because its made of iron? ( don't know) I know evwn toyota said the 3vze isnt an all around good engine because the way its designed the left side ( passenger side) head gasket goes out faster. I also heard the knock sensor can be put on the side somewhere on the engine block or something so it can be easier to get to and change the wire as it fries faster because of its location under and in the middle of the engine. Thanks

[@NightWrencher]

I found that no matter what I did, the 3vze would keep overheating. New headgaskets, new radiator, new fan clutch, and it would still over head. Eventually I just opened a hole in the thermostat to let more coolant flow and it stopped over heating. The ebay headers are fine, but you wont be able to pass smog anymore and I think it deletes the egr system but Im not sure if it has an exhaust port or not. The headgaskets sold at oreilly and the ones sold by toyota are the same design now so you shouldnt have any issues with either of them.

[@NightWrencher]

I moved the knock sensors on all my trucks to the driver side head next to the distributor. Theres an open hole there that can be tapped to match the knock sensor thread pitch.

[@bilzoo20001]

I put some of the ebay headers on my truck, they *do* have the hookups for EGR and PAIR. They also happen to look exactly like the Doug Thorley headers that have a CARB number.

[@himmlervolk2732]

Thanks

[@jodybilbrey3989]

What size of generator are you using

[@NightWrencher]

Its an inverter style 3500watt

[@that_pandashark_dude5657]

It's input is 240v it is capable of 220 amps.

[@patrickbrown9598]

What would cause it to shut down

[@NightWrencher]

Overheating or weak voltage from the wall

[@kaleb6206]

What is the duty cycle

[@INTIREMOBILETIRESHOP]

Can it weld a crack in an aluminum rim / wheel?

[@NightWrencher]

You have a buy a spool gun and gas bottle. Another $300-$400. You can do the same thing with a cheaper welder.

[@INTIREMOBILETIRESHOP]

@@NightWrencher All I plan to weld is cracked wheels and rims. what cheap welder would you recommend for me? I could get the spool gun and gas. Does harbor freight have the welder I need?

[@NightWrencher]

Spool gun: www.harborfreight.com/150-amp-spool-gun-56221.html Welder: www.harborfreight.com/mig-170-professional-welder-with-120240v-input-57864.html

[@INTIREMOBILETIRESHOP]

@@NightWrencher You are the best! I'll respect your recommendation and get exactly that. I'm a mobile tire shop and I straighten bent wheels and paint wheels. I'm looking to step it up a little more with welding cracks. Good looking out! I'll keep you posted on the results.

[@INTIREMOBILETIRESHOP]

My generator is 6,500 starting/ 5,500 running. You think my generator is strong enough?

[@bee2333]

So you can tig with 110?

[@NightWrencher]

I dont think the machine can tig on 110

[@dragndly]

Yes it can on thinner material, the machine doesn’t change its functions based on input voltage just the thickness you can weld

[@jkgkjgkijk]

Not welding 1/4 with 110. Thats bs

[@mikeodell5915]

Thank you

[@NightWrencher]

Much appreciated!

[@RhinoAg]

all that shit is extra on every other welder too...even the ones which are 4 times the price which are comparable to this one

[@diamondfirst9956]

Disliked!

[@NightWrencher]

Thanks!

[@infamousnova]

Let's trade

[@NightWrencher]

Lol trade what?

[@infamousnova]

@@NightWrencher my titanium 125 for that one lol. Hows the turbo build coming along

[@NightWrencher]

Slowly but surely because Im gonna make it all custom all the piping has to be set up a certain way

[@infamousnova]

@@NightWrencher That's the only way to do it. After I made my custom pipes I was stoked, then I found out the hood don't fit and I was still stoked lol

[@NightWrencher]

Its ok, you dont need a hood 🤣

[@garypostell5268]

Overpriced

[@NightWrencher]

I agree that its overpriced. Used to think it was a good deal but my cheap Lincoln blows this machine out of the water.

[@CarlosDiaz-uc7ri]

@@NightWrencheryou’re literally running this at 110 complaining about it not running like a 220 machine should lol

[@NightWrencher]

@@CarlosDiaz-uc7ri I'm litterally running this the same as all my other machines. It has been my least used machine. Regret spending $1,000 on it.

[@garypostell5268]

Get you a yeswelder it blow this machine away 💯

[@joecohen9400]

Get a yeswelder, thank me later

[@NightWrencher]

Havnt tried one but am interested!

[@ChristopherJones16]

Why is it better than HF? Both are made in Hong Kong