My New FCAW!!
My New FCAW!!
Just thought you guys might want to check out the Flux Cored ARC welder I bought. I was a little upset the other day that my dad wont alow me to use the Lincoln 90AMP GMAW anymore. He claims that every time I use it I burn up the welder and he always needs to take it into NESCO for repairs.
Before you guys see the pics,I already understand that the welder I bought isn't anything fancy at all, I need it for basic weldign on 14-18gauge metals. Slag is also a problem with the Flux Core so I will have to see how well this little machine works out for me. In no way can I compare this to the Lincoln 90AMP mig I use to use the features on the Lincoln far surpass what the 70AMP Campbell and Hausfield will do.
I looked around at several stores from HomeDepot, to Harbor Frieght, and Pep Boys. The campbell and Hausfield seemed to be the biggest bang for my buck for $250.00 tax included (actually $248.86). It will cover all the basic needs for exhaust pipe welding, and when ever I need to go out to job sites for tack and spot welding. It was a no brainer to get the Flux Core when I have to travel around to shops and job sites, and getting a shielded gas set up would of cost me more, and it would of been heavier to lug around. So in my mind this was just the best option for me at the time. i do plan on buying a getting a GMAW and a GTAW in the future.
Heres some pics.
Originally the add claims that this model comes with .030 flux core wire when in fact it came with .035. So in all it works better than I thought and allows me to work on a thicker gauge upto 3/16 of an inch.
I wasn't to intrigued or happy that it only allows for 2 AMP settings one is low settings for 14-18gauge this is 15 AMPS of power only and the 20AMP is set for anything larger than 14gauge. It doesn't allow for accurate heat adjustments for different strength/carbon steels so it does kind of blow and means that I will need to be more patient to work with this welder.
Before you guys see the pics,I already understand that the welder I bought isn't anything fancy at all, I need it for basic weldign on 14-18gauge metals. Slag is also a problem with the Flux Core so I will have to see how well this little machine works out for me. In no way can I compare this to the Lincoln 90AMP mig I use to use the features on the Lincoln far surpass what the 70AMP Campbell and Hausfield will do.
I looked around at several stores from HomeDepot, to Harbor Frieght, and Pep Boys. The campbell and Hausfield seemed to be the biggest bang for my buck for $250.00 tax included (actually $248.86). It will cover all the basic needs for exhaust pipe welding, and when ever I need to go out to job sites for tack and spot welding. It was a no brainer to get the Flux Core when I have to travel around to shops and job sites, and getting a shielded gas set up would of cost me more, and it would of been heavier to lug around. So in my mind this was just the best option for me at the time. i do plan on buying a getting a GMAW and a GTAW in the future.
Heres some pics.
Originally the add claims that this model comes with .030 flux core wire when in fact it came with .035. So in all it works better than I thought and allows me to work on a thicker gauge upto 3/16 of an inch.
I wasn't to intrigued or happy that it only allows for 2 AMP settings one is low settings for 14-18gauge this is 15 AMPS of power only and the 20AMP is set for anything larger than 14gauge. It doesn't allow for accurate heat adjustments for different strength/carbon steels so it does kind of blow and means that I will need to be more patient to work with this welder.
Last edited by BigVinnie; Jul 15, 2007 at 06:08 PM.
that's a really nice welder you got there. i had one but sold it because i was more into stick welding at the time. now that i sold that one too i plan on getting a licoln core flux welder here real soon.
and about the tips is should allow for both sizes but they only gave you one size. and don't worry about welding anything thicker than 3/16". i welded up to 1/2". just remember that the key to a good strong weld is penetration.
and about the tips is should allow for both sizes but they only gave you one size. and don't worry about welding anything thicker than 3/16". i welded up to 1/2". just remember that the key to a good strong weld is penetration.
Last edited by jramosthe1st!; Jul 15, 2007 at 08:57 PM.
nice bro.. i
m about to buy that 280 dollar tig from harbor freight. that this is nice man. takes a bit to get use to adjusting gas, but i used it and the hardest things was to keep the arc at first.
m about to buy that 280 dollar tig from harbor freight. that this is nice man. takes a bit to get use to adjusting gas, but i used it and the hardest things was to keep the arc at first.
that's a really nice welder you got there. i had one but sold it because i was more into stick welding at the time. now that i sold that one too i plan on getting a licoln core flux welder here real soon.
and about the tips is should allow for bith sizes but they only gave you one size. and don't worry about welding anything thicker than 3/16". i welded up to 1/2". just remember that the key to a good strong weld is penitration.
and about the tips is should allow for bith sizes but they only gave you one size. and don't worry about welding anything thicker than 3/16". i welded up to 1/2". just remember that the key to a good strong weld is penitration.
Yeah I've tried the sticks I'm not to happy with the way my work looks when it's finished. I was considering on buying a TIG model by Chicago electric, there the manufacturer that makes the TIG welder for harbor freight . That would of been my only consideration on buying.
Wire feed work in my opinion always look's much nicer than the sticks IMO. My grandfather that flew B52 bombers in WW2 taught me how to stick weld with TIG, and the welds generally didn't look that great. The only thing that I would (or anybody for that matter) that needs to look out on the wire feed is not to exceed the duty cycle. I happen to have a habit on my beed welding to exceed the duty cycle which actually will lower the strength of the weld, when I run it for to much length of time.
Now I just need to find spools of flux core aluminum so that I can weld up a few more intake manifolds...
Yeah on welding upto 1/2" metals I've done that too. I realize that grinding a beveled edge to the metal helps a lot and usually I will do a few over laps to make sure it welds/bonds well.
n the TIP size it was only the one size of .9mm which is used for the .035 flux wire. I'll probably end up going to NESCO to pick up some extra parts.
Hell yeah man check it out and let me know how it works I was thinking on buying that one...
i'm not an expert on the aluminum or any type of welding for that matter but i don't believe there is such a thing as aluminum flux core. i'm almost certain that you'll need a different welder and shielding gas.
With aluminum it has to be left very clean or it won't bond. In any case I do plan on buying a MIG setup and if thats the case, I'll just get aluminum wire feed with 25psi argon...
EDIT:Just checked they make a 4043 flux cored, I need to check wire diameter to see if I can use it.... I understand the problems with aluminum wire that it is soft and it can bind in the feeder, a lot of manufacturers don't make flux cored aluminum because it's very hard to use...
Last edited by BigVinnie; Jul 16, 2007 at 05:53 PM.
Come to find out your right mr. ramos!!!! I checked to see if I could use flux core aluminum and it seems that it is only manufactured in sticks. I spoke with one of my welder friends and he said it wouldn't bond well as a flux core wire and that it would jam the feeder instantly.
I was told if I am doing the aluminum welding I would need a good thickness upto .045mm, so that it would move through the feeder without jamming it.
I may end up trading this flux core welder in for the more expensive MIG setup, that way I can run either setup. Should of just done it in the first place but it's like $100 more I don't have!!!!
I was told if I am doing the aluminum welding I would need a good thickness upto .045mm, so that it would move through the feeder without jamming it.
I may end up trading this flux core welder in for the more expensive MIG setup, that way I can run either setup. Should of just done it in the first place but it's like $100 more I don't have!!!!
if you don't mind buying a chicago electric and have a 240v outlet you can buy this one for the same price of your current welder.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6271
i just got home from home depot and picked up a lincoln electric flux core. it's more spendy but i've never heard a bad thing about lincoln welders. i wish i could say the same about harbor fright brand welders.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6271
i just got home from home depot and picked up a lincoln electric flux core. it's more spendy but i've never heard a bad thing about lincoln welders. i wish i could say the same about harbor fright brand welders.
Last edited by jramosthe1st!; Jul 16, 2007 at 06:32 PM.
if you don't mind buying a chicago electric and have a 240v outlet you can buy this one for the same price of your current welder.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6271
i just got home from home depot and picked up a lincoln electric flux core. it's more spendy but i've never heard a bad thing about lincoln welders. i wish i could say the same about harbor fright brand welders.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6271
i just got home from home depot and picked up a lincoln electric flux core. it's more spendy but i've never heard a bad thing about lincoln welders. i wish i could say the same about harbor fright brand welders.
I'll live with this flux core for a while, I do welding side jobs and make the money back in no time. Then I'll sell this flux core unit on craigs list for $180, and then get the MIG, and eventually also own a decent lincoln electric tig.. I'm not use to flux core, it's always been tig or mig, and I thought that flux core was very close to MIG...Man was I wrong!!!!!!!!!!I still need to buy all my own gear now too, my dad band me from using any of his welder equipment. So I have to spend another $120, on some leather and a mask.
Do you have any pics of the lincoln you bought? I know it's not like a HD MIG but I still wanna see it!!!!!
Last edited by BigVinnie; Jul 16, 2007 at 06:59 PM.
i just got it out of the box but here's the link to it
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100031840
from what i gather you really don't need a mig or tig, the flux core works for most repair type applications. mig and more so tig welding will come in handy for decorative projects.
but you said you plan on fabbing some intakes so aluminum is kind of a must. tig is almost a must if you plan on welding cast iron. cast iron can be welded with a mig set up but i'd advise against it.
but like i said for most of your everyday projects the welder you currently have will do just fine.
btw no need to call me mr, jesús will be enough.
ok i just did a test run after not doing much if any welding in months and i love it. i'm still a little out of practice but check it out. i know the welds don't look right but that's because i did two passes, one on top of the other.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100031840
from what i gather you really don't need a mig or tig, the flux core works for most repair type applications. mig and more so tig welding will come in handy for decorative projects.
but you said you plan on fabbing some intakes so aluminum is kind of a must. tig is almost a must if you plan on welding cast iron. cast iron can be welded with a mig set up but i'd advise against it.
but like i said for most of your everyday projects the welder you currently have will do just fine.
btw no need to call me mr, jesús will be enough.
ok i just did a test run after not doing much if any welding in months and i love it. i'm still a little out of practice but check it out. i know the welds don't look right but that's because i did two passes, one on top of the other.
Last edited by jramosthe1st!; Jul 16, 2007 at 07:21 PM.
i just got it out of the box but here's the link to it
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100031840
from what i gather you really don't need a mig or tig, the flux core works for most repair type applications. mig and more so tig welding will come in handy for decorative projects.
but you said you plan on fabbing some intakes so aluminum is kind of a must. tig is almost a must if you plan on welding cast iron. cast iron can be welded with a mig set up but i'd advise against it.
but like i said for most of your everyday projects the welder you currently have will do just fine.
btw no need to call me mr, jesús will be enough.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100031840
from what i gather you really don't need a mig or tig, the flux core works for most repair type applications. mig and more so tig welding will come in handy for decorative projects.
but you said you plan on fabbing some intakes so aluminum is kind of a must. tig is almost a must if you plan on welding cast iron. cast iron can be welded with a mig set up but i'd advise against it.
but like i said for most of your everyday projects the welder you currently have will do just fine.
btw no need to call me mr, jesús will be enough.
Atleast I can get a few exhaust, and some metal shelving done.... Until then, I wanna see some pics of your set up man!!!!!!!
Last edited by BigVinnie; Jul 16, 2007 at 07:27 PM.
here are some pics.
you'll want to get one of these too. it's adjustable up to 13 which will come in handy when i get something more powerfully but for now a 9 or 10 setting is perfect.
you'll want to get one of these too. it's adjustable up to 13 which will come in handy when i get something more powerfully but for now a 9 or 10 setting is perfect.