Harbor Freight Flux Core welders

[Dargo]

Just got a bottle of 75/25 to see if I can do any better with the solid core and gas.

It will. My sister (no insult implied to you - she is a professional welder) has one in her garage and with either 75/25, or the more expensive tri-mix, it does a respectable job.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

...no insult implied to you...

And no insult is inferred. Hey, that one spool of wire is my total welding experience since I took a 1 credit hour welding lab in college in 19(mumblenumber)5

In fact, my welding experience is so vast and varied, I hesitated to respond to Soundguy's post even though I knew my input was so useful and valuable that the responses he received would surely be incomplete without it.

 

[California]

In fact, my welding experience is so vast

That don't stop me, and with only half the experience ....

Or so I've been told.

 

[Sandlot]

Here is what you can do with .035 flux core. Sorry about the paint, but you can still see the bead. I bought a Lincoln Weld–Pak 100 at Home Depot about 8 years ago. It sets in the corner of my shop for years on end, but when I need it, it hasn’t failed me. I used it last weekend to do this project; I probably haven’t touched it in 3 years. Oops! Looks like I should have knocked off more of the slag! Darn, I need a needle gun! The other picture is of my new HF auto darking hood and how I handled the magnifier problem.

 

[rjgogo]

Following California's lead, here are a few pix of my results with the bird turd el cheapo trash worthless dangerous crap HF 90A wire welder.

Sad to say, I have welded impaired before it seems a good miller produces better results or, I was not nearly as impaired. I don't think there is anything I would trust those welds for. If you were using flux core it should tolerate the rust a little better, it almost looks as if the polarity was wrong.

Disclaimer, none of my welding impaired was ever done for anything other then fun, and was usually destroyed or left to rust. As a side note, doing such in sandles is usually a bad idea.

here is a little thing I was working on for a gate for a kids playground, It was almost done. and yes I am aware of the irony of the HF cabinet in the backround.

 

[Sully2]

deleated

 

[Sully2]

Here is what you can do with .035 flux core. Sorry about the paint, but you can still see the bead. I bought a Lincoln Weld–Pak 100 at Home Depot about 8 years ago. It sets in the corner of my shop for years on end, but when I need it, it hasn’t failed me. I used it last weekend to do this project; I probably haven’t touched it in 3 years. Oops! Looks like I should have knocked off more of the slag! Darn, I need a needle gun! The other picture is of my new HF auto darking hood and how I handled the magnifier problem.

Very interesting!! Any idea what sort of amperage you were running to do those welds??

And a question if I may..? Why cant "I" do that well..with a welder such as..maybe a Hobart 140?? Seeing as how thats the sort of "items" Id be "attempting" to weld".

 

[Jay4200]

I have actual experience with the 90A model that you can usually find for $120. I had a 20% off coupon too so I got the 2 year ex warranty.

This is the second time I've seen mention of these 20% off coupons. Where do you get these things??!!

I buy from HF all the time - I could sure use a coupon or two!

JayC

 

[Jay4200]

No intention to insult but if you are using wire to correct for poor fit up then you will not have a very strong joint. If this were structural work it would not stand up to heavy abuse, as ornamental work it may work okay but if you put some heavy pressure on it it will fail.

If you are welding things you are going to rely on to get work done, or could be dangerous or fatal if they failed this is a poor way to get it done and will likely result in harm. Again if it is ornamental more power to you.

He was talking about a gate. People make them out of wood.

Jay

 

[California]

20% off coupons. Where do you get these things??!!

I thought my brochure containing the coupon was stuffed in my shopping bag as a sale was rung up, but on my next visit they said no, it was an insert in the mailed 24 page catalog #1211 I had carried into the store.

I may have also seen the brochure online alongside catalog 1211 as 'catalog 1211B' but it has expired and I don't see it there now.

Online current sale catalogs: http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/tabviewer/start.do

I have also received 10 and 15% coupons in the preferred customer offers that they email to you if you sign up for that.

And finally, there are unrelated websites that track discount coupons. A google search might find a site with an active HF coupon forum.

 

[HomeBrew2]

This is the second time I've seen mention of these 20% off coupons. Where do you get these things??!!
I buy from HF all the time - I could sure use a coupon or two!
JayC

My coupon came from one of those coupon books that one buys from some fund raising organization. My girlfriend bought the book so I don't know much more about it.

 

[HomeBrew2]

... preferred customer offers that they email to you if you sign up for that...

I'm at a loss of how to become a preferred customer ... any help? Thought I had signed up for the whole enchalada

 

[Tom_Veatch]

I'm at a loss of how to become a preferred customer ... any help? Thought I had signed up for the whole enchalada

I just returned from the local HF. They had a counter just inside the door with signup cards and a drop box. I filled out one. We'll see what happens.

 

[Sandlot]

Sully,

I had the little unit maxed out at 80 amps. It just takes time and practice to become good with one of these rigs. It also helps to have a quality machine. The Lincoln is nice and has four power settings and infinite wire speed adjustment. Those HF units just don't have the adjustability. I was a structural steel welder for 9 years, so I am sure it helps me with my baby Lincoln.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Sad to say, I have welded impaired before it seems a good miller produces better results or, I was not nearly as impaired. I don't think there is anything I would trust those welds for. If you were using flux core it should tolerate the rust a little better, it almost looks as if the polarity was wrong.
Disclaimer, none of my welding impaired was ever done for anything other then fun, and was usually destroyed or left to rust. As a side note, doing such in sandles is usually a bad idea.
here is a little thing I was working on for a gate for a kids playground, It was almost done. and yes I am aware of the irony of the HF cabinet in the backround.

I know that you only wanted the best for me with the sincere advice that you offered in your missive. Unfortunately, I don't take direction, suggestion or benign comment well. So, I had limited my use of the little crappy HF hot glue gun to it's "rated" maxium of 1/8" thickness. After your reply, I have committed myself to using it for absolutely anything that comes along under 1/2".

Todays exercise was to glue a 1/4" plate to the end of a sch. 40 2" pipe then a 1/2" bolt to the plate. It was needed to just perform an experiment with a spike harrow. Pic attached. Obviously a quick n dirty job. Due to my lack of interest and impairment today, one of the bolts got welded cockeyed so I smacked it with a 6# hammer till straight.

Your disclaimer really only tells me that you don't know how to weld. Not sure what it was supposed to convey. I only wear sandals cuz I'm sick and tired of bleeding on my carpet because of stepping on the goathead stickers.

Cheers!

 

[HomeBrew2]

I just returned from the local HF. They had a counter just inside the door with signup cards and a drop box. I filled out one. We'll see what happens.

Yeh, I know. I did that some years ago then, I quizzed them on why I didn't get a mailed flyer, I filled out another, still nothing. Signed up online, then got one every week or 2 ... still don't get the mailers but no coupons. Neighbor won't go online but fills out the cards ... he gets nothing.

 

[Sully2]

Sully,

I had the little unit maxed out at 80 amps. It just takes time and practice to become good with one of these rigs. It also helps to have a quality machine. The Lincoln is nice and has four power settings and infinite wire speed adjustment. Those HF units just don't have the adjustability. I was a structural steel welder for 9 years, so I am sure it helps me with my baby Lincoln.

AHHHH! So your a "ringer" then....LOL A "pro" in here with the newbies...LOL

I appreciate the answer...it lets me know that the "machine" I keep going back to look at at least has the capabilites...even if I never do...LOL

 

[Sully2]

Yeh, I know. I did that some years ago then, I quizzed them on why I didn't get a mailed flyer, I filled out another, still nothing. Signed up online, then got one every week or 2 ... still don't get the mailers but no coupons. Neighbor won't go online but fills out the cards ... he gets nothing.

I signed up online and get all their junk...discount flyers...etc..etc I average about 2 a week I think....get them constantly.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I signed up online and get all their junk...discount flyers...etc..etc I average about 2 a week I think....get them constantly.

No coupons though?

 

[California]

I signed up online and get all their junk...discount flyers...etc..etc I average about 2 a week I think....get them constantly.

Agreed. I think only the online signup will get you the email offers.

Here's one: Link. The guy on the left seems to have found what makes him happy!