Harbor Freight FCAW welder

[user.69169]

Don't forget to jam cigarette filters in yer ears too.

While you administering how about you put up dictionary of little cartoon characters of dis picture language you use?

 

[PILOON]

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

LOL, happened to me!
Ouch is mild compared to the actual language.

Also don't be wearing sneakers when welding. Nylon won't stop hot sparks.
In fact anything leather is your welding friend, shoes, apron, gloves etc.

(Thanks to Muhammad I own a great set of gloves)

 

[radios1]

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.

excellent if you can find one with easy battery replacement!. else, you need to be an engineer to replace the batteries and add external battery holders BTDT..

 

[duramaxsky]

I have 2 Harbor Freight auto helmets. They work fine. I was doing some welding in very hot weather in shorts. Don't do that. I got a horrible "Sunburn". But I was in my shop so it wasn't sun.

 

[Buggs67]

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

Always. My BIL has a coat for me. I guess I'll go with the auto-darkening and buyy the extra warranty for both.

 

[rangerfredbob]

I have 2 Harbor Freight auto helmets. They work fine. I was doing some welding in very hot weather in shorts. Don't do that. I got a horrible "Sunburn". But I was in my shop so it wasn't sun.

BTDT, my shins hurt for a LONG time...

 

[WranglerX]

Look at the specifications of AD helmet most have a switch time from light to dark in milliseconds, get fastest you can afford..... Something like 1/25,000 of a second darkening speed or better...


Another thing make sure helmet has replaceable batteries.... Bought $89 helmet 7 years ago when I bough welder.... Even with solar cell recharge batteries died, unit was sealed, could not get at batteries and when I did unit was pretty well destroyed and batteries were put in in a way it made them to difficult to replace..... Well it cost me $39 for new lens unit (which manufacture discounted by about 50% (according to them) when I purchased replacement ).......

One thing nobody seems to comment on his head gear..... Yes head gear is everything, if it does no fit you well or stay adjusted where you want it it makes welding measurable.... Generally the better (more expensive helmets have better fitting head gear.....

Dark color (black) welding jacket, bright green one, reflects light up under hood (took about 5 minutes to figure that one out) was able to exchange green one for a black one.......... Also good argument for bib under helmet.....

Also don't be afraid to change out clear lens protectors on front and rear of lens when thing get a little to fuzzy to see well....

Dale

 

[radios1]

if it had solar cell recharge, the batteries would explode, they are not designed to be recharged!.. the solar cell is for detecting the welding arc..

 

[WranglerX]

if it had solar cell recharge, the batteries would explode, they are not designed to be recharged!.. the solar cell is for detecting the welding arc..

OK, what ever.... Anyway batteries failed, if it was only for detecting ark, sealed unit is poor design guaranteed to fail over time...... Makes units with replaceable batteries a plus....

But then you have to wonder about the statements from many that you need to keep helmet's in a light source to keep AD functional....

Dale

 

[user.69169]

if it had solar cell recharge, the batteries would explode, they are not designed to be recharged!.. the solar cell is for detecting the welding arc..

They're Lithium batterys and dey recharge from de solar panel. Problem is lithium has only so many charge/discharge cycles. Replacement cells are about a quarter on ebay.

Then again what do I know, only done 2 of mine so far.

 

[radios1]

They're Lithium batterys and dey recharge from de solar panel. Problem is lithium has only so many charge/discharge cycles. Replacement cells are about a quarter on ebay.

Then again what do I know, only done 2 of mine so far.

the Lithium batteries used are not designed to be recharged.. that info should be mentioned by battery suppliers.. "The practical difference between Lithium batteries and Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is that most Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but Li-ion batteries are rechargeable. ... A lithium battery should never be recharged while lithium-ion batteries are designed to be recharged hundreds of times."

 

[WranglerX]

I haven't seen a welding helmet that uses Li-ion batteries, when the batteries go dead, you just either replace them, or buy a new helmet.. a Li-ion battery charging circuit would add extra cost to the helmet, as it has to be designed for that purpose, it's not like you can just add a solar cell to recharge those!..(without serious problems)..

Well designed LI-ION battery operated AD could be designed to charge off any USB power just like cell phone.... Don't see any cost factor there other than initial development... You can find USB chargers everywhere people leave them in receptacles at a lot of public places ( have 3-4 relatives have left at my house) and you can get a 2 amp one for about $3.... The LI-ION technology probably has just not caught up with AD helmets yet... Don't see it as any more inconvenience the replaceable batteries That go dead at the wrong moment....

Dale

 

[radios1]

Well designed LI-ION battery operated AD could be designed to charge off any USB power just like cell phone.... Don't see any cost factor there other than initial development... You can find USB chargers everywhere people leave them in receptacles at a lot of public places ( have 3-4 relatives have left at my house) and you can get a 2 amp one for about $3.... The LI-ION technology probably has just not caught up with AD helmets yet... Don't see it as any more inconvenience the replaceable batteries That go dead at the wrong moment....

Dale

a rechargeable battery can go dead at the wrong moment too, and will take a while to charge, perhaps that's why they only use replaceable batteries, because it's faster to replace a battery than recharge it..

 

[oliver1555]

Oh, mmmmk...

 

[duramaxsky]

I find (removed)'s posts to be somewhat amusing. I may or may not be the only one. But may I suggest a quick fix. Hit the ignore button and unless someone quotes him you won't see it.

 

[oliver1555]

Pretty dang funny, (removed). Took you a long time, but kinda funny.

 

[Buggs67]

I find (removed)'s posts to be somewhat amusing. I may or may not be the only one. But may I suggest a quick fix. Hit the ignore button and unless someone quotes him you won't see it.

Where is that ignore button?

This took a quick turn from welders, which BTW I bought the Titanium. I was surprised after just a couple tries I got some beads that were not totally embarrassing and actually welded two pieces of angle iron together.

 

[Buggs67]

Harbor Freight had their Titanium 125 FCAW DC inverter welder on sale for $159 so I decided to buy it. I dont need to weld thick stuff, I have stick rod for that, so the 125 works well for me.

Gary did you get a .035 tip and wire for it? Do you happen to know if these tips are interchangeable with other brands? I saw tips at TSC and they looked the same. I can get tips at HF but I won't be by there for awhile.

And would .035 wire be better when welding thicker steel, say 1/4?

 

[Buggs67]

But this is about welding, and not ever having welded before I was looking for advice from those who are adept at it. By BIL is an expert but he lives in Cali and is reluctant to advise.

 

[oliver1555]

But this is about welding, and not ever having welded before I was looking for advice from those who are adept at it. By BIL is an expert but he lives in Cali and is reluctant to advise.

Buggs67,
I came to the realization that my engagement with another poster would do nothing to help you. My apologies for getting sidetracked.
To ignore someone, click on their screen name at the left side of the post. The next screen has a menu on the left and you can click on "Add to ignore list" and not see what that person posts. Then, the only way you see anything from them is if someone quotes them in a post. Pretty handy feature that I've only used a couple of times. I don't know if you can find that on a phone, but it will show up on my computer.

As far as learning to weld, you may benefit from finding a junior college that offers a welding class. These are often offered at night and taught by people who work as a welder for their "real job". When I worked in the oil patch, a friend taught a weekend class once a month. He was a fantastic welder and did an excellent job of teaching in a way that helped you master each skill - students burned lots of rod. He knew how important seat time is. If you don't have access to that, you may be able to find someone who is willing to help you get started. I've always maintained a sideline welding business and have helped a few get started. You might check at your local welding supply to see if they can be of help locating someone to help.