Topic: Good welder for beginner? (Read 11218 times)

keelay · « **on:** October 05, 2010, 03:06:03 AM »

Looking at getting a CHEAP wire feed flux core to learn on. Nothing heavy in mind. Never welded a day in my life and I ned to learn, and will mostly be doing exhaust and turbo fab shit. Maybe some mounts later on.
Would the cheapo HF wire feed be something good to learn on? I'm a broke nog but the coupon I got to day for $89 seems nice..

t_cel_t · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2010, 03:21:20 AM »

flux core in my opinion is actually harder to master then an actual MIG.
anyone can use a mig and get good welds, but it does take a master to lay down an awesome bead with flux core.
ive seen some guys that do construction repair in the field with FC lay shame to some of my tig work.

keelay · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2010, 03:36:18 AM »

I see that as a plus...if I learn on something a little more difficult, then when I can afford a better machine, I'll already have the skill to utilize it.

ifly87 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2010, 04:38:15 AM »

By far I would use mig to learn on before FC, I would suggest arc before FC, FC is shit.

chris · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2010, 06:47:39 AM »

Its cheap and can do small projects. For under 100 bucks you cant go wrong. Mine lasted for almost 5 years before the feed took a dump.

Towdogg · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2010, 11:46:42 AM »

HF FC ftw!

I learned in 1 day....

CSaddict · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2010, 12:37:10 PM »

The HF fluxcore master 8000 was a main staple of the OG North East guys turbo builds for quite some time. I even saw Hotrex set himself a blaze with one so it can't be that bad!

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2010, 12:40:02 PM »

Anything that sets hotrex on fire is top notch in my book.

As said, for less than $100 you can't go wrong.

ratcityrex · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2010, 12:42:21 PM »

I would save another 100 and buy the duel machine that they offer. It's like 200 and you can fc, or MIG if you get a tank of gas. Well worth the extra 100.

7808 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2010, 01:45:43 PM »

i agree get somthing that uses gas. i tried to flux a few times didnt know what the fuck i was doing, didnt get shit done, quit, then one day bought a real mig with gas and it was so much easier 1st time i used it i made a whole turbo setup exhaust and all no practice

ratcityrex · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2010, 03:56:36 PM »

your gana be pissed when I tell you this, but I picked up 2 hf welders a couple of moths ago for $15 each. One of them is a 110v dual mig/flux, the other one is a 220v dual mig/flux. I picked them up at a acution. for 15 each. They said the 110 didnt work, and that the 220 didnt have a plug on the end so they couldnt test it.....lol Got both of them home and pluged in the 110, and if did a great nasty flux bead and I was like SCORE!! I dont think that the dumb asses that had it understood that you had to clamp the ground to what you are welding to make it work. Got a pug for the 220, but havent tryed it yet, but I bet that fucker works too. The great part is they wanted 45 for the welding cart. I asked them if they were hi

because it was only like 35 branad new at hf. Grabed my welders and rocked the fuck out.

turbob16hatch · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2010, 08:57:44 PM »

Get a good quality used miller/Lincoln welder. Really it's night and day welding with a good welder vs a POS.

ryan89crx · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2010, 09:00:59 PM »

Quote from: ratcityrex on October 05, 2010, 12:42:21 PM

I would save another 100 and buy the duel machine that they offer. It's like 200 and you can fc, or MIG if you get a tank of gas. Well worth the extra 100.

Exactly what I did. The Argon option is a major plus, it's all I use now.

t_cel_t · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2010, 09:29:17 PM »

online they got the refurbished 140amp gas/no gas machine for $150

ratcityrex · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2010, 11:42:56 PM »

Tryed out my 220 today and wow. It works pretty well. Will do everything I want and more. But my step dads 110 craftsman/(hobart) mig welder is pretty tits. Ive used it for 5+ years and its still kicking. I think I will keep this and eventualy get a good tig someday.

keelay · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2010, 11:53:06 PM »

All I'll ever be using it for is exhaust and other light work. Maybe some mounts at some point when I can afford to get a project car.

Towdogg · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2010, 12:06:06 AM »

Quote from: keelay on October 05, 2010, 11:53:06 PM

All I'll ever be using it for is exhaust and other light work. Maybe some mounts at some point when I can afford to get a project car.

The HF FC is the way to go then.... also when you have project car money you can buy the better HF down the road....

Teg2boo · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2010, 12:11:23 AM »

FC FTW, don't worry about dirty and rusted metal.

I bought this one http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/WeldingSoldering/Welders/PRD~0588108P/Mastercraft%252BFlux%252BCore%252BWelder.jsp?locale=en

Was 180$ when I bought it.

Weld are looking goods and it works perfects on a 15amp breaker and 50ft long extension to weld in the street

I'm sure the HF will do the job.

runsfromdacops · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2010, 12:21:31 AM »

if your a poor a HF welder will get he job done, but if you buy the best welder you can afford (miller,ect). the more you pay upfront the lesss likely it will be the welder makeing your welds suck. better to lean on a nice welder. also you wont have to worry about haveing to replace it for a long time.

glustic · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2010, 02:44:25 AM »

Wish I knew how to weld. I hate relying on ppl to weld shit. I want to half backdoor my ic, and pie cut the fuck out of my dp so I can get ac.

turbob16hatch · « **Reply #20 on:** October 06, 2010, 04:21:33 AM »

Quote from: runsfromdacops on October 06, 2010, 12:21:31 AM

if your a poor a HF welder will get he job done, but if you buy the best welder you can afford (miller,ect). the more you pay upfront the lesss likely it will be the welder makeing your welds suck. better to lean on a nice welder. also you wont have to worry about haveing to replace it for a long time.

agree

n2o_2k · « **Reply #21 on:** October 06, 2010, 08:25:27 AM »

HF welder has paid for itself on my case many times. Don't use the wire that comes with it, its a piece of junk, get a least the lincoln ones sold at HD.
Just be patient and practice, practice.

Joseph Davis · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2010, 08:24:58 PM »

Cheap is fine if you aren't going to use it much and don't give a fuck, but the quality of how the wire feeds in a Miller/Hobart Handler portable unit is fucking amazing and makes a huge difference. I've always wondered if you could fit the hose/cable/gun assembly to a cheap box and have it solve many problems.

Quote from: SecksyPeePee on October 05, 2010, 12:40:02 PM

Anything that sets hotrex on fire is top notch in my book.

I saw hotrex set himself on fire with a TA 185. Wait, maybe I set myself on fire?

civiceggturbo · « **Reply #23 on:** October 07, 2010, 08:37:24 PM »

the cheap harbor freight flux core machine is ac

dont know about the 220 migs
I hate the wire feeder on mine but with solid wire it might be worth a shit

Joseph Davis · « **Reply #24 on:** October 08, 2010, 08:14:39 AM »

The feed itself is... likely... fine. No telling, china is as china does. Gut feeling still says drag through a cheap cable is the problem.

PhilStubbs · « **Reply #25 on:** October 08, 2010, 10:17:32 AM »

Quote from: Joseph Davis on October 07, 2010, 08:24:58 PM

Cheap is fine if you aren't going to use it much and don't give a fuck, but the quality of how the wire feeds in a Miller/Hobart Handler portable unit is fucking amazing and makes a huge difference. I've always wondered if you could fit the hose/cable/gun assembly to a cheap box and have it solve many problems.

Quote from: SecksyPeePee on October 05, 2010, 12:40:02 PM
Anything that sets hotrex on fire is top notch in my book.

I saw hotrex set himself on fire with a TA 185. Wait, maybe I set myself on fire?

My cheap 130amp mig was made in Italy. I think it retailed for $400 and I paid $175 slightly used. I have always wanted to try to adapt a nice spool gun to it for welding aluminum charge pipes. Overall I do really like my welder, but somedays it just won't feed consistently. I really want to step up to a nicer 200amp mig soon though.

DSharp · « **Reply #26 on:** October 08, 2010, 12:35:47 PM »

Shit, flux core that bitch! I hadn't welded in a year, and never used a flux core, when I made my turbo kit parts, after a few min I was making some pretty decent welds. The cheep ass welder was pissing me off because of how shitty the feed was and the lead was falling apart. Sometimes it would not weld worth a shit, but I was able to make use of it and it got the job done.

keelay · « **Reply #27 on:** October 10, 2010, 04:03:19 PM »

The key is affordability. I'm broke as shit from moving and having a wife re decorate the new place. I was attracted to this b/c of price, and just needed to make sure it wasn't a total piece of shit.
I'm not entertaining the thought if becoming some welding guru and making moeny fabbing shit. I just want something that will get the job done for myself for personal projects.
Sounds like it's good enough for me

crazy_ivan · « **Reply #28 on:** November 06, 2011, 02:54:49 PM »

Quote from: ifly87 on October 05, 2010, 04:38:15 AM

By far I would use mig to learn on before FC, I would suggest arc before FC, FC is shit.

^This!
Mig is easy, tig is beaut, and FC is just "Nog or Nog not, there is no try!"

That said, one of the local guys here stitch welded his CRX with one, and another did a couple of pie cut 3" exhaust with his.
If you have the patience and motivation, more power to ya!

79fairmont · « **Reply #29 on:** November 16, 2011, 12:25:31 AM »

Quote from: Joseph Davis on October 08, 2010, 08:14:39 AM

The feed itself is... likely... fine. No telling, china is as china does. Gut feeling still says drag through a cheap cable is the problem.

Your gut feeling is correct. The plastic liner in the hf units sucks. Replace it wait a good liner and it's an amazing difference. Then there is the capacitor mod.

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Author Topic: Good welder for beginner? (Read 11218 times)

chris

civiceggturbo