Tried a $20 harbor freight electrode holder on a big job last week and honestly it held up

I been using the same old tweco holder for like 8 years and figured I'd grab a cheap backup from harbor freight just in case. Took it out on a job at a grain silo repair last Tuesday where I was running 5/32 rods in tight spots. That little plastic handle got hot way faster than I expected and the grip started getting soft by lunch. I mean it didn't fall apart but I could tell it wasn't gonna last more than a couple more jobs. Learned that sometimes you can get away with cheap stuff on light work but heavy duty field welding really needs the good gear. Anyone else had a budget tool surprise you in a bad way or did I just get a lemon?

2 comments

2 Comments

smith.matthew23d ago

Did a buddy of mine buy one and have the handle crack before lunch?

wade78023d ago

Yeah that tracks, @smith.matthew. I saw a guy at the range with one where the handle basically snapped in half mid-swing on his third shot with it. So much for that "tactical" branding, more like "tacticrack" am I right?