small welder

[papas yards]

Hi all my name is Jim just signed up iwork on an like to play with lawn tractors farily new at it so lots to learn,, one thing is i am about to buy a 90 amp flux wire welder from harbor freight will this bea good choice for building and repairing small tractor parts and stuff ,am semi-retired and pockets are not as deep as i would like so i am a bargain hunter ,thanx for any info:drink:

 

[papas yards]

Hi all my name is Jim just signed up iwork on an like to play with lawn tractors farily new at it so lots to learn,, one thing is i am about to buy a 90 amp flux wire welder from harbor freight will this be a good choice for building and repairing small tractor parts and stuff ,am semi-retired and pockets are not as deep as i would like so i am a bargain hunter ,thanx for any info:drink:

Grew up and got older once,>><: wow won't do that again

 

[speedy2]

Yes! 90 amp should work great. I'm using a 75 amp Forney I bought back in 1958, It burns a 1/8 inch rod very good. Will also burn it at 65 amp good. Your HF machine should serve you good.

 

[patrick_g]

Yes! 90 amp should work great. I'm using a 75 amp Forney I bought back in 1958, It burns a 1/8 inch rod very good. Will also burn it at 65 amp good. Your HF machine should serve you good.

HF flux cored welders are not coming off too good in comparison to name brand equipment. I buy a lot of HF stuff. Some is economical and some is not worth the effort to buy, cuss, return, or set aside and get a real one.

I won't say you can't weld with HF gear but I can tell you I have seen users of brand X welders really get a smile on their face when they use my Lincoln flux core 120 volt unit. I don't think you can buy poor designed gear from any of the name brands like Lincoln and Hobart but you can get some real junk going brand X. There is a lot more difference than the color of the box. It is what is in the box that counts and a lot of brand X gear has been skimped on, BIG TIME.

My observations indicate that learning to weld is easier with good equipment. If $ is the big issue then buy a used stick welder like a Lincoln tombstone (AC/DC is best but AC only works.) Should be able to get one for less than a P-O-S HF fluxcore toy. It will work fine, last a long time, and get you your $ back when you are ready to move up, if you do.

Next... I can't stress training too much. I never had the opportunity to take a class and have ALWAYS regretted it. Self taught takes longer and gives iffy results. I've been welding for 20 years and the first 10 were not always so pleasing (I still an not expert) but kinda getting the hang of it now and prefer a MIG with 25% CO2 and 75% Argon for welding inside and flux cored or stick outside in the wind.

Best of luck in whatever yo decide.

Patrick

 

[gwdixon]

Hi all my name is Jim just signed up iwork on an like to play with lawn tractors farily new at it so lots to learn,, one thing is i am about to buy a 90 amp flux wire welder from harbor freight will this bea good choice for building and repairing small tractor parts and stuff ,am semi-retired and pockets are not as deep as i would like so i am a bargain hunter ,thanx for any info:drink:

I just went through this same issue. The Harbor Freight flux-core is going on sale for $90 during the HF Thanksgiving Sale. (#68887, #98871) I started reading reviews and decided maybe something else should be considered.

Tractor Supply has a Hobart 125EZ on sale for $319. More savings if you happen to get a % off coupon. Read the reviews on it or Google it for reviews - they are overwhelmingly positive for an entry level MIG. It is flux-core only, like the HF unit, no gas.

If you are looking for a short-term bargain the HF may fill the bill. My feeling was that the Hobart was a long-term bargain, less likely for troubles, with excellent service if needed so went with it.

I have only been practicing with the Hobart so have no practical advice. The welding gurus say that flux-core runs hotter than gas-shielded MIG and may burn through mower decks and other thin materials - like auto body panels.

Yes! 90 amp should work great. I'm using a 75 amp Forney I bought back in 1958, It burns a 1/8 inch rod very good. Will also burn it at 65 amp good. Your HF machine should serve you good.

I believe you are talking about a stick welder while the OP is considering a flux-core MIG.

 

[Rhon]

I had one until it decided to quit feeding. Nothing I did would make it feed wire. Save up and get a name brand. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[papas yards]

thanks for all the info guys ,looks like i need to do some home work let you know what i decide thans agin,,,Jim :confused2:

 

[digger2]

papas,
My 2 cents.........save up for a name brand.I weld for a living
and all i have in my shop (at home) is a Lincoln sp100 mig (110 v),and a Lincoln ac/dc tombstone.
I'm not pushing Lincolns cause theres other brands out there just as good,but my little SP100 mig is about 20 years old and has been used hard and has never given me a problem.Same with the Tombstone.No problems.
Think about it.....theres a reason why the big guys got to where they are today.
digger2

 

[RPW]

I've got one for flux core. My recommendation would be if you get one don't buy the wire as it's crap. I've used it to weld up to 3/8 without problems. Wire feed can be a problem but I've found that as long as I'm using quality wire (lincoln etc) I have a lot less problems. I keep two machines (HF and Lincoln) using the HF for flux only and the lincoln for MIG. I don't want to keep changing liners. Obviously if you can buy a better machine such as a Lincoln or Miller or Hobart would be a good thing.

Good luck.

 

[bigd74]

i have the hf flux welder its junk i took my first one back and got a new one it does nt feed right either my buddy has one its junk to save up and buy a lincoln miller or hobart.