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Team Apathy
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2-3 times a year I could use the ability to weld some steal together at home. I did a little stick welding and a little oxyacetylene in high school (nearing 20 years ago). Maybe 6 months ago I dinked around with a MIG for a day and assembled a wall amount rack to hang ballistic vest from using salvaged 1” square tube.

So after that I did a little looking around and Harbor Freight has a flux core only for about $100. I’m thinking about picking that up for the odd, non-critical home project.

What do we think about flux core welding in general for very light use?

A possible application for me: building a simple rack system for storing salvaged fenceboards. Stuff like that, can’t really see any heavier useage.
 
Posts: 6465 | Location: Modesto, CA | Registered: January 27, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Flux core, as compared to MIG, is for when welding outside or when the shielding gas would be blown away. It can be very strong, and is structurally sound. I used to use Lincoln NR 211 flux core and it is structurally rated, from what I remember.

Make sure the heat is high enough, so you do not make a cold weld, and try to have some gap between the parts so the weld will penetrate well.

There are lots of used welders around, for half price or so. Personally I would buy a used Lincoln, Miller, or other name brand rather than anything from Harbor Freight. Check Craigslist and online auctions. Avoid something really beat up.

The one choice you have to make is to buy a 240 volt unit, or one that runs on 120 volt/20 amp supply. For 1/8" and thinner steel, the 120 volt units work okay. Depending on how the pieces fit together, you could weld steel slightly thicker than 1/8".

If you have 240 volt available, definitely go for the larger welder. You can make an adapter box to go from an outlet for a dryer, to the welder plug.


-c1steve
 
Posts: 4130 | Location: West coast | Registered: March 31, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Wish you were closer. I have an older Airco 300 amp welder I’d let you have it for $100. It’s amazing! Fan cooled, ac/dc and reverse polarity.
I corked a dozer track one time, you can’t kill it. I bought a Miller wire feed so never use the Airco.

For the occasional project, I’d just but a cheap Lincoln 225 welder.


P226 9mm CT
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Posts: 1145 | Location: Vermont | Registered: March 24, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Flux core is a more modest upfront expense for a good welder to get started on. The Lincoln 140 is a good example for light duty use.

The arc weld needs either flux or a shielding gas to prevent porosity which weakens the welding bond leading to failure of the joint. I use both gas shielded in my Lincoln 255 MIG and flux wire in my little Lincoln 180 that is very handy to use on simple projects. Welding is a very good skill to have but remember this: If you have a welder you will be the most popular guy in the neighborhood. I spend a lot of time "fixing" the neighbors stuff on weekends.


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"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go" - Abraham Lincoln
 
Posts: 1143 | Location: Little Rock, AR | Registered: January 22, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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@Thumperfbc,

I have that HF welder.
Bought it 6-7 yrs ago.
Still running & welding.
If you get it I'd recommend getting Lincoln tips & wire.
Welding forum I was on recommended it & its given me little trouble.
That trouble is feeding constantly.
After about 5yrs it started to feed in pulses.
Took the wheel apart cleaned & regrooved the drive wheel.
Ran good & I was able to weld up my Blacksmith Forge seen in another thread.

I know $100 , should have replaced it by now but WTH.






U.S.M.C.
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"Never let a Wishbone grow where a Backbone should be "



 
Posts: 6949 | Location: Central,Ohio | Registered: December 28, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I've considered getting a welder many times over the years, but never did it. I really should.

Beyond the power requirements, what should we know about other precautions? Fire safety?? Ventilation??
 
Posts: 9043 | Location: The Red part of Minnesota | Registered: October 06, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I had a HF welder for a few years, to get my feet wet. Flux core or MIG (just add the gas bottle). It was handy to have around, but the inconsistent wire feed always made for some frustration.

Finally decided to up my game and went with a Lincoln MP210. Flux core, MIG, TIG, arc and wire feed alum (with the spool gun). Makes welding SO much more fun.
 
Posts: 56 | Registered: November 29, 2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by MNSIG:
I've considered getting a welder many times over the years, but never did it. I really should.

Beyond the power requirements, what should we know about other precautions? Fire safety?? Ventilation??


Most of it is pretty obvious. Bear in mind that I'm just a self-taught junkyard welder.

Fire Safety: Never weld around open containers of flammables, keep the area clear of combustibles such as rags, sawdust, cardboard etc. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, inspect the area when finished for smoldering materials or smoke, best to check again a couple of hours later. Also, sparks from grinding can create the same hazards. And trust me, if you start welding you WILL be grinding.

Ventilation: Welding smoke is nasty stuff. A well ventilated area is important. Too much ventilation (ie, wind or a fan blowing directly on the work) can be problematic as it disperses the shielding (gas or flux) and contaminates the weld. Some folks that weld a lot wear a rated mask under their helmet.

Fab shops usually have a dedicated ventilation system with hoods or ducts directly over the welding area. For a hobby welder welding ordinary mild steel, an open, well ventilated area is usually adequate.

Welding galvanized is particularly hazardous. Avoid it unless you are properly equipped and aware of the hazards.

A bit less obvious is that welding smoke from welding with flux shielded arc rods WILL condense on surrounding items. A car windshield for instance. Go ahead, ask me now I know... Frown

Edit to add: Wear proper clothing. No synthetics that will melt because you WILL get hot slag on you sooner or later. Leather shoes. Long sleeves, the UV from the arc will give you a dandy sunburn. Leather apron and/or welder's sleeves are good. Spend the money for a good helmet, I like the autodarkening. Improved my welding immensely as I could concentrate on the puddle and put my weld where I wanted it vice screwing around with the helmet.




Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
 
Posts: 15569 | Location: Downeast Maine | Registered: March 10, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Definitely some deals can be had on Craigslist. I picked up a Miller 220volt AC stick welder in great shape for $50. Runs like a champ. Still want to pickup a MIG or fluxcore welder also for a little variety.
 
Posts: 1373 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: December 05, 1999Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Welding tips -

Eye protection ALWAYS. Oviously for welding but for grinding too. Metal, or worse, grinding dust/particles in the eye is serious bad news. Been there, done that.

Clean face shield (both sides) and comfortable body position both are tremendously helpful for quality work.

No sneakers for welding. Slag melts right through them. Other slag melts into the soles.

If you want to try welding something with galvanizing on it, know that the fumes that are created are toxic. To weld something like that I use the grinder and grind off the galvanizing so the welding doesn’t blend into it.

Practice.

Find a friend that can help and can answer questions.

Welding gloves. Steel melts around 3,000 degrees.

Be aware that exposed skin will sunburn with the arc light. This light is brighter that the sun on a perfect day. The area I typically burn is my neck right above my shirt.

Keep pets away. Heard a story once about a weldors dog going blind. Not something you want to test or prove.
 
Posts: 2163 | Location: south central Pennsylvania | Registered: November 05, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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If you have prescription glasses and they are plastic lenses - the debris from grinding will pit the lenses. Protect them with an oversized pair of safety glasses or wear glass lenses.
 
Posts: 599 | Location: Glide, Oregon | Registered: March 23, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Flux core is used in MIG when there is no shielding gas. It's not for "outside." Flux core is more portable, but less weld for the power than using bottle gas.

All welding is toxic, guys. Not just Galvy. A welding respirator is recommended no matter what. You're breathing a variety of chemicals, as well as atomized metal. Byproducts of welding are both lighter and heavier than air, and often also include the inert shielding gasses. None of it is good for you.

Frankly, I'd rather stick than flux core in a mig. If I'm MIGing I want gas.

Flux core has its place, but I'd just get a tombstone and learn to use that, way more versatile.


Arc.
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Rode hard, put away wet. RIP JHM
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Posts: 27123 | Location: On fire, off the shoulder of Orion | Registered: June 09, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I did the most of my structural Fab welding with Gas shielded flux core .045. I much prefer this way over non gas shielded flux core.

.035 gas shielded Bare wire MIG and Stick is preferred also.
 
Posts: 465 | Location: Pell City, AL. U.S. | Registered: December 25, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Posts: 5696 | Registered: February 09, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by medic15al:
I did the most of my structural Fab welding with Gas shielded flux core .045. I much prefer this way over non gas shielded flux core.

.035 gas shielded Bare wire MIG and Stick is preferred also.


The coating on a stick is what shields the weld as it burns, just so with the flux in flux core. Running flux core with a gas, doesn't make a better weld than "bare wire" and gas. The purpose of flux core is so that you can still use that MIG welder when no G is available or practical for some reason.

Purposely using flux core, when you have available gas, is unnecessary. For a variety of reasons.

In the context of the thread, and for "hobby" or "light" use, an inexpensive welder with flux core will be fine.

I'd recommend to anyone, who feels inclined to buy a welder, to look into what they really feel they'll do in the future, and not buy the cheapy. If you think you'll get enough use out of it, get a welder with some credible power and the provision for gas.

Available power and versatility for cost, is still going to be a tombstone in my opinion.


Arc.
______________________________
"Like a bitter weed, I'm a bad seed"- Johnny Cash
"I'm a loner, Dottie. A rebel." - Pee Wee Herman
Rode hard, put away wet. RIP JHM
"You're a junkyard dog." - Lupe Flores. RIP

 
Posts: 27123 | Location: On fire, off the shoulder of Orion | Registered: June 09, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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