welders

[69 red fastback 20]

I'm going to have to get a new welder and was wondering what you guys thought, have any of you used flux core wire, does it weld as good as solid wire with shielding gas, any thought would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[craigm 25]

Flux core has limitations and cannot be used for thin material like .024 solid core.

[69 red fastback 20]

Thanks for the reply, I had an idea that would be the answer. I have an older hobart and I can get it turned down enough to weld my sheet metal and lay a good weld so I thought I would go with a smaller welder.

[1969Fstback 58]

I have a Hobart 130 that goes down to 30 amps. I used it with flux core to do the floord, qtrs, outer wheel housings, tail light panel and so on. It works great. The other welder I had only went down to 60. At 60 amps with flux I was burning through sheet. At 30 I had no burn through. I am not a professional welder, but from what I gather flux doesn't burn hotter and you have a ton more spatter. But if the machine is adjustable enough you shouldn't have issues with sheet.

[1969Fstback 58]

Was meant as flux does burn hotter since shielding gas cools as it comes out.

[69 red fastback 20]

Thanks for the info

[MikeStang 247]

I have been using a little Lincoln Weld Pac 140 with 75/25 gas on it for everything and it works like a charm.

[mustangmike6996 34]

^{Get a MIG welder.  I have a Lincoln 180C (220v).  I also have a Lincoln 140 which does a great job for light work}

[69 red fastback 20]

Thanks for the info

[Stangboy 14]

Bought a Miller 211 MIG a few months ago and live it. Also have a Lincoln 175 TIG for aluminum & stainless stuff.

[Rsanter 152]

Miller 211. Best welder I have ever owned. It will make you think you are a good welder

 

Bob

[69volunteer 84]

i have a craftsman 110v and have been toying with the idea of upgrading. Is the amp dial fully adjustable or does it have click positions?

[MikeStang 247]

I recently bought a Square wave 175 Tig rig that I have yet to use LOL, It came with massive amounts of filler materials for stainless and a bunch of odd alloys that I know I will never use LOL...Cant wait to get a project where I can get after it with this beast.

[lalojamesliz 56]

Hi guys, first post

I have a Hobart 140 mig and I originally bought it to work on my 69 mustang coupe. It's supposed to be great with sheet metal with .24 wire and 75/25 gas

[Caseyrhe 650]

I have a Lincoln 125 mig, used for 1/4 plate or floor pans. Main thing with any 110 welder, you have the correct size breaker at the panel. I took a leg off my 220 and haven't tripped the breaker yet

[69 red fastback 20]

Good info guys Thanks, yes the amp is dial, it just doesn't weld the sheet metal very good, if I turn it down so it won't burn through i get the popcorn welds, if I turn it up to get rid of the popcorn welds I have trouble with burn through, I think my old hobard might just be getting worn out

[MikeStang 247]

I have found that when I have to crank mine up to keep from getting popcorn welds your referring to that I take it up hot enough to blow through, but when I do I make shorter faster welds....

Basically move the tip faster and decrease the duration of the trigger pull... I can usually hit it in rapid succession like this and make a pretty nice little weld on the thin stuff

[69 red fastback 20]

Thanks for the info

[Caseyrhe 650]

I have better luck, when using flux core, to turn the feed speed up. Keeps the heat down with the tip

further away.

[moodster 55]

Miller and Lincoln both make great welders.  I have several Millers and I've never had any of them break.  I use my Miller 140 for auto body work in my garage.  I have never had any problems using it on the autoset unless I'm welding heavy stuff.  In fact the only glaring problem I have with the autoset is that I forget what the settings should be when I have to use a welder that doesn't have this technology.

 

david

[Rsanter 152]

Good info guys Thanks, yes the amp is dial, it just doesn't weld the sheet metal very good, if I turn it down so it won't burn through i get the popcorn welds, if I turn it up to get rid of the popcorn welds I have trouble with burn through, I think my old hobard might just be getting worn out

You need to run enough amps to get good penetration for sticking the metal together and not getting too tall of a weld. You also need to have it adjusted low enough that you are not applying excess heat.

To help prevent blow through you can use a copper backing at the weld seam. The copper will resist the weld, will draw some of the heat out of the weld and provide a backing to prevent blow through.

You need to make a series of short welds of no more than an inch, skip a couple inches and then go again. Then cycle back and stitch in the areas between the welds giving cooling time between.

Welding is about practice, practice, practice.

Get some old bent fenders or hoods to practice on, you need to do some learning and get a feel for how the metal reacts to what you are doing.

 

Bob

[69 red fastback 20]

Thanks for the replies I appreciate all of the advice