Welding Tips and Tricks

Hello all, I'm needing a new electrode holder and ground clamp for my lincoln ac225. what would many of you recommend for for stingers and ground clamps I was thinking about the ground clamp from harbor freight as its inexpensive and doesn't look like much to go wrong with them... hoping for suggestions overall and thoughts on the harbor freight work clamp

Hello, I have a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC and I am still using the stinger that came with it. It fits right in my hand and feels comfortable. As for the ground clamp, HTP has good ones but kind of pricy.

I've used the Harbor Freight ones up to about 300 amps and it held up. Usually it's the spring that breaks down first and loses it torsion. I haven't welded all day with it but I have padded beads with it for hours at about 200 amps. I also bought a stinger from there but haven't used it yet so I can't speak to it.

I've used mostly Tweco over the years and find them to be well made and you can find deals online for them.

Len

Solid copper 300 ground and a Lenco Duro 250 holder.

The Harbor Freight ground clamps work very well. I used three of them to replace the three on my "go to" machines.

http://www.harborfreight.com/400-amp-we ... 66708.html

The HF stingers are also just fine. The 400 amp one is a bit bulky. The 200 amp one can get a bit hot. In general, the reviews on them are positive.

http://www.harborfreight.com/400-amp-el ... 98010.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/200-amp-el ... 97892.html

I tend to be cheap and burn rods right down to the nub. It is hard on stingers. So the HF ones are disposable in my opinion.

calixt0,

I replaced both my stinger and Ground clamp with the Harbor F 400 amp Stinger and the brass clamp.

I am pleased with both although the stinger is a little bulky I like it now. Both seem to get the Job done.

If you get the ground clamp use a hose clamp in place of that cheap ring.

Tom

I have one on my tombstone AC/DC. It works, but the little wire clamp that comes with it is junk. Cap the end of your bare wire with a little piece of copper and shove it in snug. I need to put a pipe clamp or something on there. Also, any splatter will stick to it like a magnet. I don't know if it's the paint they use on it, or what? It is working, but that nut on the bottom was arcing on my metal table. I guess that would have happened with any brand.

I use the 400 Amp Welding Ground Clamp.
My brother told me that the HF magnetic ground clamp was a piece of junk.

calixt0 wrote:Hello all, I'm needing a new electrode holder and ground clamp for my lincoln ac225. what would many of you recommend for for stingers and ground clamps I was thinking about the ground clamp from harbor freight as its inexpensive and doesn't look like much to go wrong with them... hoping for suggestions overall and thoughts on the harbor freight work clamp

I've always been a tweco fan myself. You may pay a little more but in my opinion you get what you pay for when it comes to stingers , ground clamps, and welding rods/wires.

Go for twecos...

Best stinger money can buy right here!!!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181329746652?ss ... 1423.l2649