I'm new to welding and all that.. I went out and bought a real cheap (i know cheap...) but I just wanted to try get my feet wet. Well I've been doing a lil scrap welding, messing around. Welds still aren't nearly great but they're coming around. Enough rambling.... anyways.. I purchased a Chicago Electric Mig-100 Welder from Harbor Freight during a sale.. I know its not extreme quality but.... I was wondering if its enough to get a Test Pipe/Exhaust system welded. My question is what kind of metal could I use with this welder... I'm thinking stainless is too strong? So I was going to try Mild Steel.... not sure what gauge I should look for. I'm kind of lost right now upon metal strengths, etc.. I just have a cheap welder, wondering if I can make something of it. Here are the specs on the welder... Thanks!!

Rated AC Input: 120 volt, 22 amps, single phase
Welding current (2 settings) 55 to 68 amps (low), 79 to 90 amps (high)
Duty cycle: 10% @ 80 volts, 18% @ 60 volts
Wire capacity: 0.030''

 

no love? Stupid Question?

 

so i googled it right and i have no clue

 

lolol thanks kyle, bump again

 

its a flux core i'm assuming. so you're going to have to do mild steel... i havn't seen any stainless flux core wire before atleast.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by accord387 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">its a flux core i'm assuming. so you're going to have to do mild steel... i havn't seen any stainless flux core wire before atleast. </TD></TR></TABLE>
something like this? http://froogle.google.com/froo...ing=p

 

stainless stell flux core wire... it says mig also though so i'd probably make sure it is shielded flux core and not mig wire before buying. If it is shielded (inner or outter shield i think are the two types??) stainless flux core then you will have no problem welding stainless. Stainless takes less power to weld also from what i've been reading.

RE EDIT: haha just looked and im guessing those are 308 and 308L stainless wires, i would make sure that is the proper wire to use for what types of stainless you are goign to weld together.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by accord387 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">stainless stell flux core wire... it says mig also though so i'd probably make sure it is shielded flux core and not mig wire before buying. If it is shielded (inner or outter shield i think are the two types??) stainless flux core then you will have no problem welding stainless. Stainless takes less power to weld also from what i've been reading.

RE EDIT: haha just looked and im guessing those are 308 and 308L stainless wires, i would make sure that is the proper wire to use for what types of stainless you are goign to weld together. </TD></TR></TABLE>
damn i hate being a newb. I need to learn up on my metals, thanks accord!

 

That welder is good enough for the job you have described. But it will not come out clean, there will be a lot of splatter that you would need to clean up afterward. Just make sure the surface is clean and you have it set at the proper wire speed and voltage. Flux type mig welder is unpredictable, you never know what the welder will do. Sometime it will weld continuously on a good day, some time it will just keep splattering and sputter like your welding galvanized material. Just mess around with it, try not to burn a hole on your pipe/s. Adjust wire speed accordingly to thickness of material and hopefully that welder will not frustrate you.

-Kevin

 

dont drink coffee before you weld.

try not to use flux core wire, its extremely sloppy.

block any wind from disturbing the welding process.

make sure the welds dont look like a bead on top of the surface, that means your going to cold.

make sure the welds are not completely flat, to hot.

thats all i can think of with out instructing you in person.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zclee.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dont drink coffee before you weld.</TD></TR></TABLE>


LOL, i have no idea if your being serious or not but it made me laugh.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zclee.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try not to use flux core wire, its extremely sloppy.

</TD></TR></TABLE>
what else could i use? I thought w/o gas i had to use flux wire?

 

You definately need to use flux core. Just prep the metals being welded really good. Use a wire brush to wipe off the welds right after you make a pass. There is splatter with flux core, but i mean you are about to make an exaust, appearance is definately not somthign i would worry about.