I got a welder!, Harbor Freight had a big sale today! Options

[bmtrnavsky]

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! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[billh1963]

I look forward to reading your review.

[worn]

I look forward to reading your review.

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!

[Mike Bellis]

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

[Front yard mechanic]

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

[bmtrnavsky]

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!

[Costa05]

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.

[porschetub]

I look forward to reading your review.

Oh now that was funny (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) 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.

[Unobtanium-inc]

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.

[76-914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) 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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[mgphoto]

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

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.

[Andyrew]

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.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Most of us learned on a flux core so your in good company (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

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.

[bmtrnavsky]

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.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Most of us learned on a flux core so your in good company (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

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.

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.

[mb911]

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..

[Justinp71]

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.

[bmtrnavsky]

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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mgphoto]

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!

[Spoke]

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.

[mepstein]

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.

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.

[bmtrnavsky]

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.

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.

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. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)