MG

I have had the Harbor Freight Vulcan Omnipro 220 for going on two years now and wanted to provide a long term follow up to my experiences and thoughts on this 220/110 multiprocess welder.
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[@eksine]

The welder was designed by an ex-engineer from Lincoln Electric multi process

[@jheissjr]

I'd like to learn more. Is it discussed anywhere?

[@sbranham86]

EE101 me too

[@johnfrolic796]

I bought this welder when it came out 2 plus years ago after I retired. I have welded all my working career on the name brand machines. It welds just as good as the name brands. I have ran all the processes on it and have been pleased with all. I mostly use the mig. Great machine with no troubles with it. Liked it so much I bought the pro tig 205 last week for aluminum.

[@jimthvac100]

I was thinking about buying this welder and using it to tig weld aluminum and also use the mig welder for steel. You would not use this for aluminum? I thought it did aluminum too.

[@weldmin4818]

@@jimthvac100 you can weld aluminum with the mig, you just have to buy a spool gun.

[@colencasey7761]

For MIG the 220 is GREAT, and you can TIG almost anything EXCEPT aluminum with it. This is DC TIG and you really want AC TIG for aluminum. You can do it but its not going to be a pretty bead or something you would probably want someone else to see. The spool-gun will do a decent job on aluminum with the 220. Bottom line if you want GOOD aluminum TIG the Vulcan 220 is not it. BUT.. you can get a cheat amazon tig welder for under 300.00 that does a great job on aluminum which is what I did since I almost never do any aluminum that I cant do with the spool-gun. On amazon the yeswelder TIG-205DS is probably as cheap as I would go... it has HF start and all the features for basic aluminum tig welding

[@markbowden2928]

I've had my Vulcan Omnipro 220 for about 18 months. I have used mine a lot for Mig welding 18 gauge to 1/4" steel. I love this welder! I have an aluminum project I'm looking forward to using this for next month. FYI, Harbor Freights sells an extended warranty for this welder that adds two years onto the one-year standard warranty. The store manager told me to bring it in before the warranty period ends and they will exchange it for a new one and I can buy another two-year warranty for the new welder. So a new welder every two years for about $200 (the price of extended warranty).

[@rebel04343]

It’s been another two years how has it been since this video?

[@CPLBSS88]

PrimeWeld has better welders, with longer warranty and better customer service... for less money. No brainer.

[@ChristopherMcKenzie]

Great Stuff, just bought one of these myself and so far it is awesome!

[@PatrickWagz]

Any update on the Harbor Freight welder? How many hours have you used it? Thank you.

[@TyphoidSnaily]

Great Video, I've had one for just shy of 2 years now and paid for the 2 year warranty on it, had a small issue with the gun and they replaced the entire thing. I thought they would tell me what Red and Blue would have told me that the Mig Gun is a wear item and not covered but nope they looked up my receipt and brought out a new one. Didn't even give me problems about the fact I didn't have the Tig fun or other small parts with it when I went in. I'd definitely buy again as well!! Build my Wrangler with it from Bumpers to suspension to Roll cage add ons. Definitely happy with the machine!!

[@jakerogers6562]

I bought one based off of your first video right after you posted it. Mine has been awesome! I use it weekly and sometimes daily.

[@MerricksGarage]

yea, mine has gotten a lot of use and is still kicking butt. Love this thing

[@MrAtaripitbull]

I actually still have a 8 year old Pittsburg welder from Harbor freight and it's done it's job on light duty welding and it still works. After watching your video, I feel more than confident in buying this new Vulcan 220 welder.

[@chrisabella624]

I would personally jump up to .035 wire. You are doing some thick stuff. I weld for a living all day with a miller 252. But I personally own the omnipro 220, mig max 215, and tig max 205 all from vulcan and they are all very good.

[@MerricksGarage]

Great advice! I am running .035 now and it is a nice hot puddle!

[@AZ-Z71]

Late for the party, but I have the Titanium 200 multiprocess welder and I am happy with it. Lucked out and bought it used in brand new condition for $400. Used it with every process for so many repairs like fencing, patios, auto body work, and art and it has worked tremendously. I've had it for over a year and it still works hard. I think I am going to give the vulcan a try for my next machine. In all honesty both machines are not for industrial applications but they do work great for diy and automotive in my opinion especially being on a budget. If I could afford a miller or Lincoln, I would I would definitely buy one. Thumbs up for both machines 👍🏽

[@makestuffmike]

Just picked one up! Can't wait to fabricate some stuff! Subbed to the channel! Can't wait to binge your content!

[@MerricksGarage]

Awesome! Thank you! Im still using the Vulcan heavily! It kicks ass...

[@makestuffmike]

@@MerricksGarage so glad to hear that! I’ll mostly be on quite small projects so I’m hoping this machine will be overkill and last forever lol!

[@bobbyl8428]

I started wanting one when they were 699 new I bought one this last black friday for 1000 bucks. I've gone through 11lbs of wire and bought the spool gun for an aluminum job a few days ago. Been welding over 20 years I'm a true blue Miller fan and lincoln is my second choice and I'll put the vulcan omnipro against miller, lincoln and esab any day.. it's a great machine, easy to use and welds as good or better than the big name welders I've owned.. it even works surprisingly flawlessly on 120v for aluminum and steel.

[@Joeak74]

I love mt Vulcan OmniPro 220. Absolute perfect machine! Miller and lincoln can suck it. I've owned a few of each. I'll stick with the Vulcan. I do believe the warranty is still 1 year, but I'll have to check. The extended warranty is awesome and not expensive.

[@nizzurtmontalgizzert3337]

I have been happy with the omnipro 220, even invested in the tig torch, footpedal and the spoolgun. Its a good machine

[@tonyaddy7825]

I have had my OmniPro 220 when they first came out and is been running like a Champ! My buddy wants to convert a flat trailer to canoe rack with aluminum. getting the spool gun and practice . Great Vid

[@BigPowerAL]

Made a few gates so far with my Omnipro 220. I have a number of projects in the works... so far so good!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

I'm using my Vulcan omnipro 220 for stainless steel to mild steel tig welding right now not any problems yet welds are coming out well with the pedal for me

[@matthewroach5637]

I just bought one today and it has a 3 year warranty/1 year no question ask. Got it for 716.73$ out the door. So there warranty has improved and they still go on sale for a great price.

[@The350ZION]

I just found it on line for 879$ ish. Add says 90 day warranty. I'd like to pick one up this week at the price/warranty terms that you got yours for. Any coupon/info you could share?

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea that’s a killer deal! Post up the details!

[@MrHercules222]

Share the coupon code you used!! Cheapest I could find was $879. If you get the store credit card they will take an extra 10% off your first purchase, which would bring it down to ~$792

[@matthewroach5637]

I just wait for it to be on sale and then asked the manager to use the 20% off coupon in store because it would let me do it online.

[@schigara]

I just bought mine today(4/26/2020) with a coupon for $869. The salesman said there was a 1 year no questions asked warranty.

[@MerricksGarage]

thats great news! Good price too!

[@joseescalona8312]

Damn, I might just stop at Hrbor freight and get one 😬

[@StevenPenny]

It looks like they changed it to a 90 day warranty.....on a $1000 welder. Sorry, that's a no-go for me.

[@jayinmi3706]

My thought is that even tho it can do DC tig, you still need a spool gun for aluminum (as I understand it) at additional cost. I think I'll get a MIG machine and do a seperate TIG machine later if I find I need to go that way. Thanks for the follow up. The welds look better in this video than the original review, so it looks like you've improved as well! Great job!

[@MerricksGarage]

thanks man! I try and respond to as much as I can. Gotta say I am still really impressed with this welder. Still hasn't hiccuped once for me. I am prob 10 8lb spools through it in wire at this point...

[@markbelden6919]

I just love a squarebody. That suburban in the background 😍

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Very nice video and update Merrick I have the Vulcan omnipro 220 as well been holding up well for me

[@jlarosa22]

I just bought one 2 days ago and it still comes with a 1 yr no questions in store replacement warranty. I added an additional year just to be safe. Paid $799 with coupons!! not including the warranty

[@MerricksGarage]

Dude mine is going strong with zero issues and it gets used about ten hours a week minimum.

[@xdime2007]

Which coupon did you happen to use? I'm currently looking at their Black Friday special at $879

[@jlarosa22]

@@xdime2007 I used a 15% off everything coupon and I signed up for their credit card and used the discount instead of the deferred financing (I was going to pay cash anyways so may as well get the savings).

[@alexanderr047]

What coupon did you use.

[@chrisgreen6650]

Is it still working good?

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video James

[@music3631]

♥Merricks Garage

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Beautiful welds

[@chrisg6534]

Great video

[@MerricksGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it! I am still using this welder almost daily!

[@randyramer7988]

Bought one yesterday and still one year return .

[@rmbarnes672]

Very nice to know, thanks.

[@cyclicm1622]

At $950 price, you guys might wanna take a good hard look at the Eastwood MIG 250. I love mine. It can do (on 220v, it is dual voltage) 185 amps @ 100% duty cycle. It was the duty cycle that sold me one mine. I tend to lay everything out, tack it up, then I always find myself doing the entire weld up in one sitting. My old welder would always thermal cycle, which really is disappointing when you got a nice bead going.

[@MerricksGarage]

Totally agree. I also think duty cycle is a good indicator of build quality. I have done some long passes and never had it cycle on me but I can see it happening. Duty cycle rates 100% at 115 amps

[@cartherapywithharperpeters7013]

Great video and lots of good info.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Certain locations in Arizona are still honoring the 1 year return or exchange warranty

[@christianmorales1993]

I live in az mind letting me know which ones plz?

[@owenjohnson5030]

Nice looking welds. Looks like TIG welds.

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks for the compliment! I’ve had a lot of practice now!

[@kirkfreshour8018]

Awesome i been wanted one

[@bradleyyounger8499]

I have had mine for almost a year now. I think people that have had issues with it is probably user errors. Harbor freight quality has really gotten a lot better. I have owned Lincoln and miller. Lincoln has really gone downhill, in my opinion. I absolutely love inverter welders over the transformer. Seem to get a much smoother start and weld

[@interstellarconundrum4774]

You got it for 800 dollars! In four years it's now 300 dollars more. That disgusting inflation!

[@interstellarconundrum4774]

Add 300 dollars for extended warranty and it's 60% inflated.

[@jonmartinez7178]

Does this machine allow you to upgrade the Mig gun to an industrial Miller style or Lincoln style? My experience with all mig welders is that the gun believe it or not can drastically improve the weld quality. It looks to be putting out a decent bead with a medium duty gun. I bet if you could hook up a Bernard or Tweco gun it would allow .035 solid wire and then produce a steadier and hotter bead.

[@vityok3000]

November 2021 and i paid 1150$ for this machine. Thats without spool gun. And without tig

[@dustinsgarage2542]

What jack is that on your affordable bender and what mods did you have to do to make it work

[@MerricksGarage]

I’ll have a video coming out on that. But it’s a harbor freight air over hydraulic

[@williamemerson1799]

Don't know about the welder but your work looks outstanding.

[@MerricksGarage]

thanks man! Lots and lots of practice!

[@bugout2422]

I just got the Omnipro and a Miller helmet which is an upgrade from my Harbor freight $100 welder and $60 helmet. I have the Artec truss that I need to put together. Are you using fluxcore, 110 voltage, solid wire 220 voltage, type of gas? just a few questions. I know this is an old video. I watched it again as reference.

[@MerricksGarage]

For that truss I would run .035 wire with C25 and set the machine for 1/4” and get busy! All at 220v

[@bugout2422]

@@MerricksGarage I finally got to use it.... Holy cow what a difference.

[@Taylor98564]

How have you liked that optrel welding helmet? I was looking at that one then decided to go with the lincoln viking 3350 4C.

[@MerricksGarage]

It’s been great. I use it pretty much daily at this point. Been through a bunch of screens and batteries but that’s it.

[@Taylor98564]

Is the Vulcan still holding strong? I wanted to get that one however it's 1,100$ now and only a 90 day warranty so I ended up going with a lincoln 210mp with a 3 year warranty and an option to extend it another 2 years. Lincoln was 500$ more but I can walk into just about any hardware or farm store that sells welding supplies and get parts for it. I hope things are going well for you👍 I enjoy your videos!

[@jerrydemas2020]

Why does the 220 volt cord set have a 50 amp plug on it but the cord only has #14 wire in it rated at 15 amps? Why----Chineseum?

[@michaelcronan990]

I have bought a lot of trailers and compact tractor implements and your welds with the vulcan look way better than the welds on this stuff.

[@trialnterror]

Does this Omni pro do pulse mig with steel?

[@1mw4tch1ng]

with reports of good to excellent and dropping the warranty from 1 year to 90 days tells me HF is not backing up the product as much. Does this mean there are more issues not being reported and the reason why dropping the warranty? after 90 days their not liable for the replacement, or repair of the product. having a year warranty put your mind at rest spending $1K+ items and not breaking down after 90 days and if so you have a recourse for replacement. Even though it is the same model but at a much higher price it does not mean HF is installing cheaper parts and the reason for the warranty drop which is stupid on HF's part if this is the case.

[@MerricksGarage]

Mine is still kicking ass and getting heavy daily usage! I have been amazed by this machine.

[@AndreyLocklear]

Is the omnipro worth buying for starting a welding business on a budget

[@MerricksGarage]

Yes

[@AndreyLocklear]

@@MerricksGarage how long will it last

[@jakeowens1770]

Price is up to $1400 now, warranty is 30 days

[@MerricksGarage]

That sucks, but it is still a deal compared to the ESAB that I am looking at for a backup. I’ve used this machine heavily for several years now, prob close to 25 rolls of .035 and it still cranks our welds as good as I can lay them! Sucks about the warranty but mine has kicked ass. And continues to.

[@angelogarci483]

what is your settings for that 1/4 inch steel???

[@MerricksGarage]

just right out of the machine! I messed around with wire speed, etc and the stock recommended settings always seem to work best.

[@agguilarmetalwork4494]

Hi great video review, one question, what camera are you using for your videos ? They look amazing ?

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks man! I am using my iPhone XS believe it or not. I do some post color correction etc but not too much.

[@hectordelasrivas5801]

At what voltage are you using?

[@StevenPenny]

A 90 day warranty on a $1000 welder is ridiculous. Most other stores end up giving a product a longer warranty to win customers over so they don't buy the "name brand". Going less is stupid.

[@finfan1009]

Vulcan has a 1 year. A 90 day warranty means their products suck and they want stand behind what they are making.

[@KoiAquaponics]

Do you know if there's a way to purchase the knurled drive roll for .025 mig wire? The ones came with it only goes down to 0.030

[@airtaiH2]

Wang Hung think if you flip the .030 over you will find its .025

[@danielsv17]

I have a question hope you can answer it. I am debating on the titanium 125 flux or this vulcan i currently can only use 120v and would like to use just flux core but i want to get the best foux core welder for 120v .i do see this one is rated for higher duty cycle and amps .,not sure if i will really weld different then the 125 titanium on 12ov flux

[@MerricksGarage]

Trust me once you weld with gas you won’t go back to flux. I don’t know the pricing difference but the versatility of this machine to do all processes and voltages is what sold it for me

[@danielsv17]

@@MerricksGarage wooo thanks so much for the quick response i didn't spect that and thanks alot. And i am sure gas could be, better but i think i wil, have to spend more on buying the tank i currently have a couple flux core spools already.. and now i am looking for a good 120v welder flux core welder that can get good penetration ..currently debating titanium flux 125 or 170 or vulca 220.. i am a landscaping guy and normally use welder to welds stuff on my mowers and mods on my trailers

[@1jz_gte]

@@danielsv17 my buddy has the titanium 125 it is not bad for what it is he built his trailer with it.

[@PatrickWagz]

@@danielsv17 Did you decide on a welder yet? Did you get one from Harbor Freight? How many hours have you used it? Thank you.

[@suarezlawnservices]

@@PatrickWagz hey. Buddy and yes i did actual bought the omni 220 but unfortunately I hat to returned to be honest I only used it once and I was welding with it and when I was done welding and saving everything I was about to close the lid, and it accidently closed by itself because I i was wearing the gloves and belive it or not it stoped working and never turned on after the lid was shut down hard which made me question durability for a bit so I returned because that was the first try lol. So never used it only once but it was still under the 30 days so I end up getting the titanium 170 which I think it welda the same and is not using a digital screen or anything like that and well it's being holding really good 😊. I have being using it alot well I mean just doing some trailer rapaira and Mowers repair but I think it welds the same as the titatanin 125. If you don't have any welder and want to start welding with a cheap welder the titanium 125 I think it's good machine if you want to spend a little more and have a future proof machine that can weld 220 and have more options I think go for the 170😊 hope that helps

[@geekazoid]

Are you using flux core on these welds or solid wire?

[@MerricksGarage]

solid core

[@RandomJ2023]

Question, do you use 220 or 110? I don't have a 220 receptacle.

[@banjerpicker5273]

Reelax Outdoors I use a generator and 220. The stick welder is awesome used on a bunch of car crusher jobs. We were using my bosses but I’m getting a identical setup soon

[@MerricksGarage]

I use 220

[@AndreyLocklear]

Wouldn't u recommend buying this machine

[@stansimons2088]

Can you run .45 wire with the omnpro 220?

[@richardvillanueva8786]

I dont see why not,flip the drive Rolls and chang the consumables

[@juancarloshernandez6919]

No entiendo lo que dice, en pocas palabras está buena o no?

[@Michael-sb7ye]

Nice but I will stick to my made in America Hobart welders

[@christopherching4475]

Not Hobart.. miller own it but most parts made from China and assembled in USA.

[@tonychaudhry7285]

Christopher Ching yeah, that’s kind of my problem with Miller and Lincoln. They’re “American” companies but most of their shit is made in China. Why would I pay so much more for stuff that’s made probably in the same factory.

[@hansadler6716]

now the price is $1099

[@atiserrot]

How's it holding ?

[@MerricksGarage]

still kicking butt in daily duties

[@manuelcord101]

Nice rock crawler just got the element trail walker

[@manuelcord101]

Just got the Vulcan 220 2 days ago

[@txdocprich_8404]

I like the everlast 250, they’re around 1500$ usd.

[@stevecue]

Good video, do I hear an Irish accent?

[@MerricksGarage]

English!

[@joshuathomas8529]

Have you tried doing spray transfer with it?

[@MerricksGarage]

I have not

[@geraldsnyder6514]

What is a spray transfer?