Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 3 2018, 05:56 PM

Look what I got today! It’s not the best witefeed welder on the market but dang it is better than what I had which was no welder! I’m pretty excited because now I have 100 new things I can do!


Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: billh1963 Sep 3 2018, 06:00 PM

I look forward to reading your review.

Posted by: worn Sep 3 2018, 06:05 PM

HF ought to have an exchange program so you can work your way through the gears. I bet the welder will be fun. Even if it is fixing a kitchen rack, welding is fun!

Posted by: Mike Bellis Sep 3 2018, 06:30 PM

Just an FYI, flux welders cannot weld sheet metal. Burns too hot and will blow through.

Posted by: Front yard mechanic Sep 3 2018, 07:02 PM

Mine works great! Welding sheet metal butt joints take practice and patience but really effective for the cost

Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 3 2018, 07:31 PM

I watched a TON of reviews of this welder and of people using it before I bought it. It will do sheet metal but you have to be very careful for sure. I also saw a couple good hacks like converting it to DC only cost about $15 and makes a big difference in the quality of weld. I also saw a guy make it variable powered but that looked hard. Anyway it looks like it will do 90% of what I want so I’m stoked!

Posted by: Costa05 Sep 3 2018, 11:21 PM

Its a lot of fun. Congrats. Just finished welding up an expansion tank bracket mount on my subie conversion tonight. You can really dive into some creativity with it.

Posted by: porschetub Sep 4 2018, 02:53 AM

Oh now that was funny and I know where you are coming from,this type of welder is good for a small range of DIY hacks but never should be used for little else than that.

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Sep 4 2018, 08:02 AM

Welders like this are great because they can do some things but more importantly you can decide if you like welding. Because if you don't you're only out about $100, which is way better then dropping $500-1000 on a decent miller mig. I've been in many a man's garage where he has thousands in tools that never get used.

So in this case, you spend about $100, realize you really like welding, quickly find the limits of the $100 machine and buy a better one, only using this one for mufflers, fences, and the occasional lawn mower repair.

Posted by: 76-914 Sep 4 2018, 08:18 AM

Not a ton of $$$ and it will get you started. My first welder was a flux core. They're great outdoors or in windy areas. Just remember to clean your weld spots very well. Start w/ some 1/8" or 3/16" then work your way down to the thinner metal.

Posted by: mgphoto Sep 4 2018, 08:19 AM

I agree, also the acid flux left behind in the weld will cause the paint to lift over time.
Miller or Lincoln with “continuous adjustment “ is the way to go.

Posted by: Andyrew Sep 4 2018, 08:36 AM

Going over the manual to see if you could add gas to it I didnt see that as an option.. What I did see is a great setup instructions as well as "How to Weld" instructions. I would read that carefully and just practice with this. If your going to weld up exterior body panels then I would rent a welder from somewhere with gas after you have practiced with this welder considerably. Or buy a good used welder.

There is nothing like a good gas welder.

Most of us learned on a flux core so your in good company

Start with 1/8" steel scraps and join them. Get a grinder and learn to grind as well. work your way down to thinner and thinner metal, then get rusty panels and learn that. Make sure you have thin enough wire, and learn and experiment with your wire and voltage settings so you can see whats going on when.

Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 4 2018, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the feedback! I'm really excited to have it so I can learn and play with it. I read last night how to make a slapping spoon so that's on my list. I also need to bust out my torch and make a slapping file. I have a canoe cart I want to build, and a stand for my drill press too. Lots of projects so I think I'll have a great opportunity to learn here.

I did see quite a few people welding thin sheet metal with it, but it looks like wire speed and heat is a BIG deal so I know I need some practice. you also have to grind the crap out of the welds to make sure you get all the slag and flux off. I've already been shopping craigslist for something better.

I do think I will be adding an inverter to make it DC which will mean much less splatter and I'll also add some capacitors at some point. I saw a guy install a series of switches that gave him a LOT more heat control by adding capacitors and switches. both are cheap upgrades. DC seems too easy and good to skip. I think the part is like $15 and there are a TON of tutorials on how too.

Posted by: mb911 Sep 4 2018, 07:26 PM

Been teaching welding at a tech college for close to 20 years now .. If this what your budget good on you for going for it.. I will tell you bar none the best,cheap 110v welder is the Hobart handler. Its made by Miller and can be had for less then 500 and comes with regulator for argon/co2.

So I say learn and decide if you like it and upgrade when you can..

Posted by: Justinp71 Sep 4 2018, 11:19 PM

I like flux core welders, I feel like they are easier to make nice welds for the newbies. They just give a little more splatter. Make sure to use in a well ventilated area or run a fan, they make a lot of fumes.

Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 5 2018, 01:13 PM

Thanks everyone! I plan to play with it a little on some small projects like building a stand with some shelves for my drill press and making some slapping spoons before I try anything important. Using it a lot will give my wife the confidence that I can and will use it though and that's the first step to a proper Mig.

Posted by: mgphoto Sep 5 2018, 02:34 PM

Some 20 + years ago I took welding classes at a local community college, I knew I had some rust I would eventually fix. Long time 914 owner.
I started with submerged arc, moved to mig then tig, they even offered certification.
I got to play with some really good equipment, learned a lot and it is really, really fun to “burn” metal!
Good luck and have fun!

Posted by: Spoke Sep 5 2018, 06:00 PM

Good luck with your welder. I bought mine several years ago and the first day I fixed 3 broken and cracked items on my 914. It was so cool to fix things properly by welding them that I stood there looking around to other things I could weld.

My unit is a 110V Millermatic 135. I thought about getting a 220V unit and glad I bought the 110V one. I have outlets all around my garage and it's convenient to move the welder around to the closest outlet. Chances are most welding done on a 914 can be done with a 110V unit.

Posted by: mepstein Sep 5 2018, 06:42 PM

I got the Hobart mvp. Does both 110 and 220. I didn’t want to be tethered to 220 but wanted to have able to weld up some heavier steel if I felt the need. Now I’m buying safety equipment and basic tools.

Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 14 2018, 09:06 AM

That's awesome. I'm so busy this time of year I STILL haven't welded anything. I have 5 kids... yes that's right 5! so fall is crazy with football, band, and twirl plus my job. its also hot in Texas, but it's getting to good garage weather so I'm excited. I'm buying some angle iron to build a stand for my grinder and drill press so my first project is on its way!
I discovered the joy of the scrap yard this week and bought a small piece of plate steel to put under my vice. I also got a couple pieces of flat bar. I'll be trying to go back soon to get some copper pipe to plumb in my airlines and also the rest of the angle iron I need for that table and a leaf spring to make a slapping spoon.

Posted by: mepstein Sep 14 2018, 09:10 AM

I know everyone says it will kill you but our last two and our current 25k sq ft shop have all used pvc for the air. 2 big compressors getting used all day.

Posted by: jtprettyman Sep 14 2018, 01:42 PM

I picked up one of the HF flux core welders a while ago fully understanding it's limitations, and fully planning modifications to overcome some of them. I went ahead and converted mine to DC electrode negative with a bridge rectifier, added a big capacitor, updated and improved the cooling fan, replaced the power and ground cables, and added a better ground clamp. Yeah, I know after all this and the time/labor I could have started with a better welder to begin with, but I enjoy the project. Besides, its kinda in the 914 guys DNA to buy something cheap and spend a crap ton more in time and money than the end result is worth $$$ wise......

Posted by: mb911 Sep 14 2018, 03:00 PM

DCEN? Your running "flux core "only correct?

99% of electrodes (stick,mig, dual shield) run DCEP when being consumed into the work.

Posted by: jtprettyman Sep 14 2018, 03:15 PM

Yep, these cheapo's are basically AC welders out of the box, converted mine to DCEN for flux core. I plan on stepping up to a true MIG setup shortly.

Posted by: John90290 Sep 14 2018, 07:00 PM

Congratulations! You wil now never go by a garage sale or drive by a bunch of furniture on the side of the road without looking for bed frames! I had one of those years ago then went to a Hobart 140 and added gas. Still not a good welder but got good at grinding;) A few pro welders I knew told me that the HF welder was a good place to start but don’t use the wire it came with. Head to Home Depot and get a roll of the Lincoln flux core wire. Try both and you will see the difference.

Best of luck.

Posted by: 914forme Sep 14 2018, 08:05 PM

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=298384

Be safe I have fingers that prove what happens when your not. I have scaring in my eye from shrapnel that came in under the glasses.

Also be safe with your welding gear.