Tailgate Talk #2 - my Harbor Freight Vulcan Outlaw 195

I know I've promised an in-depth review on this welder, but I've been too busy using it. Im still planning it, so stay tuned!

[@4AM_DJ]

Between 2015 and 2020, if you wanted a good cheap welder generator, it was Hobart champion 145 that reign supreme. Now in 2023 it seems the vulcan 195 is getting the attention.

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

You're right. And still, there is nothing wrong with the Champion 145. I think it may have been one of the first "little" welder/generator on the market. It would be great for running about 90-110 amps. I don't know if I would want to run 140amps on a 145 machine though. The duty cycle would suck. There are others too, like the Outback, BlueStar, etc. Miller has a 180 that doesn't have the specs of the Outlaw, and still runs over $5000. Klutch makes a unit that is identical to the Outlaw.

[@4AM_DJ]

@AllStarWeldingSC Lincoln Outback 185, I believe, is also a great small welder generator. However, pricing was a bit on the high side and was close to the same price as the Hobart Champion 225. For the extra hundred dollars, you got more duty cycle and 40 more amps on the Hobart 225.

[@tonyinhbolero4815]

Thanks for infor , subs right on , I’m start welding repair business as soon as possible

[@sparkywelder5893]

I just grabbed one from hf. I had to drive almost 3 hours away lol. I was told by the manager I got lucky because they weren’t keeping in the store anymore. Apparently you would have to order online. Cheers.

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

Dude, that's great. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have been enjoying mine. I was in my local HF store just today, and I asked a friend of mine that works there about the status of the Outlaw. She eluded to there not being much interest in them, and if a store didn't have one on display, people didn't even know about them, generally. She's said that IF there was one in a warehouse, then you could order it. But, because they are being clearanced, they sent what was left out to stores to sell them. Saying all this, often I find that the store managers don't really know the inside info on what's happening at the corporate level, and that's on purpose. Some items get clearanced out because a new and improved version/brand is coming out. The belt drive air compressor pumps are a good example. But the new model won't come out until the very last of the old stock is gone so they don't get stuck with the old version that nobody wants. Could this be happening with the Outlaw? Could be. Or, it's gone forever. Only time will tell. Enjoy your Outlaw. I absolutely love mine, and it's making me money everyday. I got mine on Marketplace for $1000, and it paid for itself in 2 days.

[@sparkywelder5893]

Yes I played with it today runs great. Now the wife says get out there and make the bacon lol. Just a funny thing I was trying to pick up a Miller 165 or an outback 185 which I used to own They have went up in price significantly so I’m really happy with the deal I paid 1800+ tax to me. Well worth it. God bless have a good day.

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

@sparkywelder5893 have you been using the Outlaw? I just saw that Esab has one called the Ruffian. It's only 150amps and only 4500w generator. And it's $2500. Makes the Outlaw seem even better!

[@xkingxcolex]

Love the video. Great info. I’m thinking of buying one as well. Do you knw if it will Tig Weld? I’m assuming u can jsut switch the polarity and get a bottle of argon. But figured I would ask

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

I really don't know. When it comes to converting an arc welder to a scratch start tig, I know the process, I know the parts needed, but I don't know what is required from the arc welder. I don't think it's an inverter DC if that matters. Maybe someone will read this and let us know.

[@rudedawg01]

I will subscribe your teasing me I’ve been waiting for a video on this welder been looking at it for a while. Not much videos on it that showcase it well.

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

Understand. I ran into the same problem. When I decided that I wanted this, I searched for videos about it and could not find any. Then one day it popped up on Marketplace and I couldn't get to his house fast enough. This weekend, it got a really good workout. I built a pentle hook for a dump truck. I used 3/4" plate. I ran 5/32 6010 and it was a breeze. I capped with several beads of 1/8 7018. A week after I got it, I had 3 mobile calls that well paid for it. As soon as I get time to make the video, I will. I dont do editing as you can tell, so I have to try to do it all in one take. Are there any specific points you'd like me to cover? And, if you have any questions, please ask. One guy was really wanting to make sure it ran 6010. The problem with some of the newer inverter type welders on the market, is that their open voltage is very low, like 25-30v. That is not near enough open voltage to run 6010. I think the minimum would be 50. The Outlaw has 73-76volts open circuit. That is plenty for 6010. Of course, those others will do 6011, which I just a fair substitute, but not as good as the real thing on my opinion. As far as the generator side, it works great. You can turn the "Welding Power" switch to off, and the idle drops down. When you put it under a load, it goes back up. But as far as a welding operation, you can leave that switch to ON so it will power the welder and your electric needs for grinders and such. I think the only reason to do I is because it won't kick the idle up when you need to weld, it will bog it down. I will test that and see what happens. But I will say this... if you are on the fence about it, don't be. Run, don't walk, and get one. Klutch makes one almost identical to it, but is out of production. If you can find one at a Northern Tool, it's probably marked down and would be a steal. Hobart makes one that is only 145amp I believe. Miller has 2 small ones like this, one is 160amp, and I think the other is 190-210amp, somewhere around there. But as you can guess, it's about $5000. Let me know what topics you'd like me to cover and I will try to include it. I would really like to make the video within the next week or 2.

[@IamTrevv]

I was wondering if it could hold 7018 5/32 thank you for the info.

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

Yeah, with no problem

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

Yes it will. The chart on the machine says 130-195, but the Miller app says 150-210. I've ran 7018 at 160amps on it with no problems.

[@tonyinhbolero4815]

👍

[@GotScout]

I hit the button.

[@tna2me197]

You charge by the hour? with a min call out? Per mile? Just curious. Been thinking about this as a viable option for a semi-retirement job in my area.

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

Yes, yes, and yes. Haha. Seriously though... in-shop has an hourly rate. But many times, you have to consider what it is. When someone drops off a piece of yard art that just needs a tack or two, I usually tell them not to worry about it. Sometimes they accept that, other times they slip me a $20. But those are the people that bring in bigger stuff, or tell their friends about my great, friendly service. Location work is different. There is a call out charge and an hourly rate. If it takes 30 minutes, it's still an hour. But again... it depends. If it's one of my good accounts that spend $3000 monthly on me and just need a little thing done, we will stand around and tell jokes and I tell them to catch me next time. Anything in my local area, or within the county, there is no travel charge. Further away will. One thing is for sure, in my area, if you stick to your rates for everything, regardless, you will not make many friends around here.

[@tna2me197]

@@AllStarWeldingSC Yep! You’re the kind of person I would do business with. And it’s the way I have always done business. And thank you for being so open about your work. Very helpful and encouraging.

[@sethwalton2008]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

Thanks! 😄 🤣

[@about2acres824]

I have one and my only complaint is that the idle down does not work very well if at all. How about yours?

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

Mine works perfectly. I haven't learned enough to really get into the mechanical side, but check your linkages and springs. Check the actuator too.

[@kwamekubi9158]

What ground camp and welding wire please because l want buy one

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

I just picked up a big brass clamp, and I also have a magnetic ground. For the cables I used 1 gauge wire. 30ft on work lead and 20ft on ground

[@PatrickHennelly-uc3mz]

How did you mount that to your truck?

[@AllStarWeldingSC]

First, I had to take off the wheel kit. That took off at least 40 pounds. Those wheels are crazy heavy. then I had to remove the plastic bed liner in my truck. that wasn't going to work anymore. Then I very carefully measured and measure to make sure I wasn't going to drill through anything important. I used 4 U-bolts. The pipe frame is 1 1/8" and the u-bolts were 2 1/2" long, if I remember right. The front 2 u-bolts were easy enough to get to from underneath. for the rear 2, I had to lower the spare tire down and they where right there. If you don't have help, use some duct tape to hold the u-bolts down so that while you are under the truck, they don't rise up when you are putting the nuts on. Get some split washers too, or you can use some nylon lock nuts. it wasn't hard to do. the hardest thing was checking that I wasn't going to drill through something important.