Chicago Electric tools, any good?

First; ALWAYS buy more welder than you think you need.
Second; as long as you are going to use it intermittently (no four hours of welding at a time) even the Chicago Electric welder will give you good service.
If you put a fan on it to help keep it cool (like a friend of mine did) it will not overheat.
See how big a spool of wire it will hold - Big spools are cheaper in the long run.
Keep it clean and dry! treat it like a television.

 

I am not sure about the hf welders. The determiing factor imo would be the warranty. I think you would be better off to buy a used name brand welder. We have a millermatic 175 with gas and it is real easy to lay a nice bead. I was looking on craigslist and found a hobart 180 with gas, cart and bottles,auto darkening hood for $425. Here is the link
http://bham.craigslist.org/tls/1229736041.html

 

From what I understand the limiting factor on the cheaper ones is the duty cycle. Even my starter (Lowes) Lincoln only has a 20% duty cycle. Which if I understand it right means I can weld 20% of each hour and the rest is cooling time. Is that right ya'll?
I have never followed that and have never had it shut off on me and can't tell that it welds any worse after the so called 20% of time.
Mine is a flux-core with the ability to use gas if I had bought the kit. Wish I had bought the kit.
Clint

 

I'm sitting here reading all of the responses from people buying from HF. I was going to buy a welder from them. HF sells repair parts. What is the problem with them? Why do you say they are "use once and throw away" tools?