Any welders around?

Anyone with experience with MIG welders?

I want to learn for some projects I'm planning and I'm looking to pick up a MIG welder to learn on. I'm considering the below since it's very reasonably priced on sale, but wanted to get more seasoned advice on the matter. I know it's not very good, and I'll probably replace it before I get into any serious stuff, but I'm looking for something for a relatively low barrier of entry and fairly cheap in case I screw it up. ;)
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-98871.html

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Originally Posted by x88x

I want to learn for some projects I'm planning and I'm looking to pick up a MIG welder to learn on. I'm considering the below since it's very reasonably priced on sale, but wanted to get more seasoned advice on the matter. I know it's not very good, and I'll probably replace it before I get into any serious stuff, but I'm looking for something for a relatively low barrier of entry and fairly cheap in case I screw it up. ;)

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Yes, i am younger, (take with a grain of salt) but i have taken all the welding classes at my high school possible and my advice is the sooner you go to gas the better. Yes, flux core will work for low budget and quick welds and such but if your looking for clean/stronger welds, go to gas mig welders.
The only problem with mig welding...is it gets really addicting to weld stuff afterwards.

Starting a weld: leave about a 1/4in of wire sticking out.
It should kinda look like this:

And to prevent the end from welding itself, try to keep the end about width of the nozzle away, so roughly 1/2in. (^^ It will happen, it did to me multiple times...just file away the weld and make sure the wire and proceed through again.)

Check out weldingweb.com and garagejournal.com.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=69853

Synopsis, for light welding, you can make it work with non-HF wire and replacing the ground clamp. Some recommend going with stick instead if you are on a budget and wanting to grow into it. Others recommend finding a used one on craigslist that you can upgrade to a bottle. Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart are all decent brands.

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Originally Posted by Locum51

Yes, i am younger

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I'd be a hell of a hypocrite if I let that get in the way. ;)

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Originally Posted by Mach

Check out weldingweb.com and garagejournal.com

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Damn it, I'm trying to spend less time online. Stop tempting me with awesome new forums! :D

Seriously though, thanks for the links. I'll spend some time reading on those.

No, I like not needing glasses to see correctly and being able to still see when i'm in my late 50's

= p

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Originally Posted by Twigsoffury

No, I like not needing glasses to see correctly and being able to still see when i'm in my late 50's

= p

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I think i'm already effed....I couldn't help but look at that bright arc light! O.O

I'd suggest getting on that can upgraded to work with a bottle. I've got an older Lincoln that has it. Most of what I weld I just use flux core but you get MUCH better results using gas. Just my 2 bits.

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Originally Posted by x88x

Anyone with experience with MIG welders?

I want to learn for some projects I'm planning and I'm looking to pick up a MIG welder to learn on. I'm considering the below since it's very reasonably priced on sale, but wanted to get more seasoned advice on the matter. I know it's not very good, and I'll probably replace it before I get into any serious stuff, but I'm looking for something for a relatively low barrier of entry and fairly cheap in case I screw it up. ;)
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-98871.html

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I'm no where near a expert, but I can weld with a MIG. I wouldn't be a good teacher, but I could help you screw up... :D

I suggest skipping the HF unit, and staying away from flux core. Look on craigslist for a 110V Miller, or Lincoln. You can get them for a decent price, and parts are easy to get. :smoker:

Lemme know when you get something, I'll take the motorcycle up, and help you break it in. :D

Biggest thing to remember is proper metal prep, and knowing what not to weld. Like galvanized metal, or metal that has been sprayed with brake cleaner. Use Acetone to clean metal...

And welding helmets have come along way. They aren't nearly as damaging to the eyes as it was back in the day. Now you biggest concern is getting skin cancer from not covering up...

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Originally Posted by Twigsoffury

No, I like not needing glasses to see correctly

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Eh, I can't do that anyway. :P

I might just take you up on that, Altec. I guess I'll start combing the internets for a decent used one then.

Flux core isn't MIG by definition. MIG uses gas to shield the arc in place of flux, and it produces a clean, strong weld.

Flux core is usually not that great, the welds are "dirty", the flux can and will pop and spatter leaving little bits of slag all over everything, plus the 90A harbor freight unit won't have a ton of power so doing anything thicker than 1/4in or thereabouts won't provide sufficient penetration for a strong weld.

Personally I would try and find an arc welder if I was going to just do little projects, but you'll need a metal table as your ground, and you'll burn through an electrode in about 2 minutes worth of welding. Though it does seem cheaper to purchase than a MIG or TIG welder, at least up front.

I would suggest if you're serious about learning to weld, either take a class at the local college (if they have a trade program) or find somebody that knows how to weld and learn from them. If you teach yourself you may develop bad habits that will detract from the quality of your welds.

Other than that, I'm all for it, welding is a bunch of fun and a good skill to have.

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Originally Posted by Omega

Flux core isn't MIG by definition. MIG uses gas to shield the arc in place of flux, and it produces a clean, strong weld.

Flux core is usually not that great, the welds are "dirty", the flux can and will pop and spatter leaving little bits of slag all over everything.

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Exactly. If you can find a gas mig welder (miller, lincoln) like specified....there should/might be some on craigslist, but then again who knows.
If it isn't sounding like eggs and bacon sizzling, then you have to adjust your settings.

Side note: Our class one time ran out of argon....yea...everyone's weld went from nice crescents to crap in an instant.

I use mig welding on my car. I am not the best welder but flux core sucks. The welds are shawty and brittle. As for the welder from harbor freight I wouldn't recommend it I had it for 2 months then it broke on me. took it back and got a east wood. The east wood is semi cheap but if you spend the extra 100 or so you can get a miller. or a lincoln witch are a lot better quality. As far as learning goes it is easy you basickly just need to pin point what metals can take what heat. Once you start welding tho it is very hard to stop. Also ALWAYS WEAR A FACE SHIELD!!! if you just use the glasses you can get something like a sun tan. Hope ive helped you.

See! I swear it's either some secret code for a secret society.


or all welders can't see when you put them through the paces of a vision test.


Well...at any rate....please don't send masked and slag aproned to my house at night to smaw me in half.

*rimshot*