Harbor Freight FCAW welder

[bigtiller]

Which welder did you get and from what farm store? Are you happy with it's performance?

This one, but I got it from Orscheln not Amazon.

Titan Vaper 41185 9 Ampere Gasless Wire Feed Welder - Power Welders - Amazon.com

 

[BufordBoone]

It may have already been mentioned but the HF welder mentioned is a DC welder. It runs a lot smoother than an AC flux core welder I tried.

To me, anyway. Anyone else got input on AC vs. DC in flux core wire welding?

 

[Muhammad]

It may have already been mentioned but the HF welder mentioned is a DC welder. It runs a lot smoother than an AC flux core welder I tried.

To me, anyway. Anyone else got input on AC vs. DC in flux core wire welding?

Yeah we discussed this over at WeldingSite: https://weldingsite.com/threads/welding-a-wrought-iron-railing.283/

I tried both and wound up with the unit Gary bought. I found the AC flux core to be essentially unusable as a newbie. With the DC I was able to get strong welds and not all that much cleanup when welding good clean metal.

 

[user.69169]

Yeah we discussed this over at WeldingSite: https://weldingsite.com/threads/welding-a-wrought-iron-railing.283/

I tried both and wound up with the unit Gary bought. I found the AC flux core to be essentially unusable as a newbie. With the DC I was able to get strong welds and not all that much cleanup when welding good clean metal.

Hey, you know pictures over der really suck. Too small! Too many ads too.

Why all you kids call steel "wrought iron"? You ever meet wrought you gonna know what a day of work is for sure.

SanDiego look like one dem califoolish places. Look around fer ceramic shop. You find get a gallon of what called slip clay, I tell you dirty trick for next flux job. Save up some dat drywalmud too, another trick you don't know fer dat.

 

[Muhammad]

Hey, you know pictures over der really suck. Too small! Too many ads too.

Why all you kids call steel "wrought iron"? You ever meet wrought you gonna know what a day of work is for sure.

SanDiego look like one dem califoolish places. Look around fer ceramic shop. You find get a gallon of what called slip clay, I tell you dirty trick for next flux job. Save up some dat drywalmud too, another trick you don't know fer dat.

okay

 

[Buggs67]

okay

My reaction too.

I am leaning towards the Titanium 125. Video reviews were good and I think I'd have a better learning curve. It's $180 now and with a 20% off coupon.

Now deciding to get auto darkening or standard helmet. My concern is not cost but safety and workability. I have a friend who is a professional welder and he swears by the HF auto darkening helmets.

 

[user.69169]

Free HINT- Horrible Fright autodark same technology as Hobart, Miller, and de rest. Few guys have torn em down and element & electronics same. Been known fer years.

BangGood.com sells same helmets cheap direct from China, goo look you can even buy replacement package for 10 bucks.

Big important part is battery replacement. Coin cells on some easy to change, others you gotta open de package and glue back shut after solder new battery.

Autodark all began wid General Electric self shading window dat was big flop. Technology of glass ain't changed, electronics got better over time.

 

[Muhammad]

My reaction too.

I am leaning towards the Titanium 125. Video reviews were good and I think I'd have a better learning curve. It's $180 now and with a 20% off coupon.

Now deciding to get auto darkening or standard helmet. My concern is not cost but safety and workability. I have a friend who is a professional welder and he swears by the HF auto darkening helmets.

I bought one of the cheap $50 auto darkening HF helmets and while using it outside, decent results. If you have glare you might need a cover behind your head otherwise you won't see anything. Also be sure to remove the protective film from the glass otherwise it's all blurry.

 

[user.69169]

I bought one of the cheap $50 auto darkening HF helmets and while using it outside, decent results. If you have glare you might need a cover behind your head otherwise you won't see anything. Also be sure to remove the protective film from the glass otherwise it's all blurry.

Don't forget to add bib, or at least slather wid de zinc paint protects from Sun.

Wash off outside spatter lense every day too.

 

[Muhammad]

And good PPE. First time you burn a hole through the crotch of your pants you'll get on Amazon for a good set.