Thinking about buying a welder. - Page 3 - Motorgen - Automotive Events, Meets, Cruises and Forums

enkeivette · 08-08-2010, 10:35 PM

I went with the Harbor Freight flux wire welder. I can buy a warranty for it for $20 that will cover anything for two years. I was looking at some Lincolns and Clarkes online, but after I read the reviews for this welder I settled on it.

I read something like 50 reviews, all of which were positive. The welder lasts a long time, takes abuse and is capable of welding thick metal.

I tried it out tonight already, I'm very happy with it. I went with an autodarkening helmet primarily for the tint adjustment. The standard 10 filter isn't enough for me, I needed an 11 and all of the standard helmets I saw were 10s. The auto darken is really cool though, no feeling of being lost after you flip the helmet down.

enkeivette · 08-08-2010, 10:36 PM

And the flux really isn't a big deal, you just brush it away and it looks like a MIG weld. Nothing like stick flux.

enkeivette · 08-08-2010, 10:41 PM

I almost went with a used Craftsman, but the seller was telling me that the wire would get stuck inside. I don't want to have to dick around with anything like that. I wanted a new one, even if it is from Chicago Electric.

Vettezuki · 08-08-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enkeivette

I almost went with a used Craftsman, but the seller was telling me that the wire would get stuck inside. I don't want to have to dick around with anything like that. I wanted a new one, even if it is from Chicago Electric.

There's little tricks for wire getting stuck, but I'm sure you'll be fine. Haven't used a Chicago Electric but basic quality is probably not so far off from a Craftsman, but less than a Lincon etc.

enkeivette · 08-09-2010, 11:01 PM

It melts metal together and makes me happy, that's all I ask of it.

94cobra69ss396 · 08-09-2010, 11:17 PM

When do we get to see your first test welds?

Damian · 08-09-2010, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enkeivette

I went with an autodarkening helmet primarily for the tint adjustment. The standard 10 filter isn't enough for me, I needed an 11 and all of the standard helmets I saw were 10s. The auto darken is really cool though, no feeling of being lost after you flip the helmet down.

I love the one I have. I just need a good welder to go with it.

enkeivette · 08-09-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94cobra69ss396

When do we get to see your first test welds?

I did the JB, my brothers name. I was teaching him too, the first spittle to the left is his first try, the line just to the right of it is his second try after some more direction, then he did the A for my name.

Then I welded the bolt to the corner for fun, smacked the head on the curb a few times to see if it would break off. It didn't.

The spatter I'm told is from the cheap Harbor Freight wire that came with the kit. If I use Lincoln wire with it, that shouldn't happen. The metal is about 1/8 inch thick stainless. Wire is just flux steel.

I want to try upping the speed and laying a fatter weld next time. Didn't have too much time to practice, because it was getting late. Just tried it for a bit when I got home from work.

Criticism will be expected and appreciate.

enkeivette · 08-09-2010, 11:47 PM

From looking at the back, does it look like I'm melting the plate enough to get good adhesion?

Vettezuki · 08-10-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enkeivette

I did the JB, my brothers name. I was teaching him too, the first spittle to the left is his first try, the line just to the right of it is his second try after some more direction, then he did the A for my name.

Then I welded the bolt to the corner for fun, smacked the head on the curb a few times to see if it would break off. It didn't.

The spatter I'm told is from the cheap Harbor Freight wire that came with the kit. If I use Lincoln wire with it, that shouldn't happen. The metal is about 1/8 inch thick stainless. Wire is just flux steel.

I want to try upping the speed and laying a fatter weld next time. Didn't have too much time to practice, because it was getting late. Just tried it for a bit when I got home from work.

Criticism will be expected and appreciate.

Spatter happens. There is anti spatter spray ( a kind of of silicone spray I think), which helps.

It's a little hard to tell from the pick, but it looks like you're just laying down a bead. It's not like caulk. The idea is to work forward and back to create a kind of continuously overlapping seam of "fish scales". It takes some talent, but mostly practice. Just get a bunch of scrap and set up practice welds between plates.