Are Expensive MIG Welders a Ripoff? Let’s Settle This!

7 Welders: Vulcan (Harbor Freight), Lincoln, Yeswelder, Flameweld, Azzuno, Warcking and Chicago Electric. MIG welders compared for welds using both flux core and solid wire with shielding gas. Performance comparison includes weld penetration, weld strength, ability to weld very thin material, and current stability over 5 minutes. A big "thank you" to Virgil for helping test the welders!

I purchased all of the welding machines and supplies to ensure an unbiased review. So, thank you for supporting the channel.

➡ Thank you for supporting the channel through memberships:
➡ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Vulcan: Available at Harbor Freight
Chicago Electric: Available at Harbor Freight

Videography Equipment:

This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC

[ProjectFarm]

Here’s the list of products reviewed. More details in the video description. Thank you!
Vulcan: Available at Harbor Freight
Chicago Electric: Available at Harbor Freight

[AggressiveLemur]

Good God the amount you spent to test this is terrifying. Thank you for reliable and trustworthy work.

[chinaskibukowski]

"I just went out and bought 7 different mig welders" Is the greatest opening line to a video of all time. The testing this man does is just absurdly good. Unbiased, fair and honest. That's why this channel is easily one of the best on YouTube. Well done sir!!!

[thatshowvidu]

This guy is a national treasure. We are at a point where we just check his channel first for the review of what we're going to buy.

[JonBullock]

NO.1 independent Product testing channel on YouTube by far. These awesome product reviews are so in-depth you can take the knowledge and purchase these products with some of the uncertainty taken care of. I personally have bought different products after watching some of these reviews.

[tjtobin]

I dont think anyone can deny the quality of Lincoln welders. But for the price, I love my Yeswelder. They are a company that was founded via kickstarter and have ALWAYS listened to their customers (via facebook groups, online reviews, etc). Thank you Todd for the testing!!!

[dandeerso]

By far my favorite part of your videos is the fact that you don't outright tell people which product to buy, and you just lay out the bare performance for people to make their own decisions from. Thanks for your efforts, Todd!

[natologic]

I love the recent adjustment in your videos to frequently include expert opinions. Of course we trust your thoughts and experiments Todd - but bringing in experts like Virgil is the next level!

[AT_Automation]

That wasp dying by a fiery pool of death was such a nice touch 🤌🏼

[AllThingsMech]

Thanks for another stellar review, Todd! As a welder with 25+ years of experience, I will say that what you get out of buying Miller or Lincoln machines is great customer support. Pick up the phone and a tech can walk you through a repair, or you take take it to a local dealer for service. Not so with the Chinese stuff. Had a problem with the control board on an Everlast PowerMTS 251 welder at my last job, and getting in touch with anyone was a joke. They emailed me a PDF that looked like it was drawn up by a 5 year old, and when I had a question about clarifying some of the ridiculous crap on their drawing I couldn't get anyone to call me back. I ended up leaving that position before we ever got a resolution on it.

With welders, buy them cheap enough that when they break you just throw it away, or save up your money for something blue or red and keep it forever, fixing it along the way. There really isn't any middle ground unless you want to be constantly frustrated. My two pennies, anyway.

[Andrew-]

Over 2k $ for a welder!? Gotta appreciate the dedication and the quality Project Farm provides.

[josephpacchetti]

I've run out of ways to say, the most comprehensive and best testing on YT, Thanks Todd. 👍🇺🇸

[chaddiusthewise]

I’m a 23 year old that doesn’t know much about anything. Your videos have taught me SO MUCH. It may not feel like it sometimes but you’re helping people every time you post. Thank you.

[light-master]

Wonderful reviews as always. I love that Todd brings his knowledge of thoroughly testing products to welders, while also admitting that he's not skilled enough to test himself, so he gets a professional to do the welding and evaluate the results.

[maxkonta]

I feel like you read our minds when you do all these tests; as always, I really appreciate the information contained in your reviews.

[WalterMelons]

Just like the windshield repair test I like how you brought in an expert.

[pipbernadotte]

Project Farm: we're gonna test that

Manufacturers: **visible discomfort**

[WeirdJerzy]

My friend has owned the Vulcan welder for about 5 years. That thing is a beast. It was even flooded at one point and was let to dry well, and its still going strong. The automatic function is cool too, you put the type of wire and wire size and set the dial for metal type. It does a pretty good job at autosetting.
Overall great video, cool to see how some welders are bad and sometimes its not the person welding badly.

[gettingtheinsideout]

I asked for this video a little while back, and you completely delivered.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I never knew what those smaller welders would deliver, and you definitely put a nail in that coffin.
Once again, awesome video. 🙏
Thank you. 💕❤️🙏

[lukemeck]

This is why it's important to support one's like this that pays all out of pocket for these expensive tests the average Joe could never afford! Love the work, my dude!

Love your hard work and enthusiasm in all your work!