Let me begin by saying that I have never taken on the challenge of welding. I usually took my things to local shops only to get price-jacked. So I decided to learn myself.

This is the welder I bought and to be honest, I'm not sure if it was a good investment or a good welder to learn on.


You guys think this is a good starting tool? What types of fabs can i do with this? Overall, I've searched and am still searching threads to get more knowledge but would like some input.

 

Is it flux or the one you can convert to mig? I have the flux one and its a good welder to start on....down the road your gonna want a mig though just because it's alot cleaner weld...

 

Its just flux. They didnt have the mig in stock but I would have wanted to jump on it for an extra $50.

I played with it a bit on saturday as soon as I got it and you're right, it is kinda messy.

 

It gets the job done if you dont care about looks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HighRevn &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It gets the job done if you dont care about looks</TD></TR></TABLE>

Its all good with me ! So what automotive things have you fabricated with your welder?

The box it came in says, "Home and Crafts", the other more expensive ones said, "home , craft and auto".

 

Charge pipes, exhaust, some brackets, seat rails, fixing manifolds...little stuff

 

I love this little beginners welder.

I made some seat brackets for some integra seats. Now my CRX rocks some fresh seats.

I had some mild steel tubing around and welded that up. So far I cant complain. Still getting use to the settings and wire feed speed. Any suggestions?

 

I really good welder once told me "it's not how good you weld it how good you grind"

I weld with flux also. You can buy some spray that will help with the splater alittle bit. I want to try gas but not really sure one how to hook it up and what kind.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CBURKE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I really good welder once told me "it's not how good you weld it how good you grind"
I weld with flux also. You can buy some spray that will help with the splater alittle bit. I want to try gas but not really sure one how to hook it up and what kind.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's logic to that I suppose. I took a grinder to a brace just to see how it looked and i was surprised it turned out so good.

Yeah I saw that spray at HD yesterday. May pick some up on my way home.

 

on wire feed, if you feel the gun being pushed away from the metal, like you'll feel it hoping, that means its going too fast and take down the wire speed. I am planning on going with the 100 series (the next step up from yours). I'm in High School right now though and dont have a job so money is harder to come by. Right now im takign a welding course though, i would strongly recommend a local course, you can really learn alot out of it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hondaboy4life &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">on wire feed, if you feel the gun being pushed away from the metal, like you'll feel it hoping, that means its going too fast and take down the wire speed. I am planning on going with the 100 series (the next step up from yours). I'm in High School right now though and dont have a job so money is harder to come by. Right now im takign a welding course though, i would strongly recommend a local course, you can really learn alot out of it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks bro ! I did notice it "hop" on me every now and then. These past few days, I've had the speed between 5-7 and have notice the "hop" and alot of splatter. I'll try and turn it down.

What temp setting do you recommend for odd end jobs on mild steel:

Low 1
Low 2
High 1
High 2

 

i cant really help u much because i've never used that welder. It should come with a chart with recomended amperage and sire wpeed for different sizes of metal. I would say lay 2 though but u really need to conslt a chart and play around with it until you find the right settings for your needs

 

id take that welder back and get the 50 more one... you'll have more settings and it'll be better to expand on. they have a money back warrentee right

 

Yeah they do. But by now I've worn out the cold tips. And the shield has splatter. I'll just keep it and learn, then pass it along to my brother. Will upgrade to a Miller down the line.

 

cant you just tell them you didnt like it and get the better welder?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lightcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">cant you just tell them you didnt like it and get the better welder?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not sure. I guess if some young kid who cares less is working the return line then yeah. Usually my local HD has nothing but older people who "take their job seriously".

I can try.

 

i think the next model all you do is switch the polarity,add solid wire, and hook up the bottle

more settings the better ;]