This might be fun. Post what you like and use. Let not make this into a whizzing match on which machine is better, if this turns into a whizzing match I will delete you post.. I'll say my welders are all cheap but work for me.
This is more for being able to find out what works for you. Info on the least expensive welder that works good.
Places where you get good deals on supplies.
Places where you get accessory's that many might not know about etc. Maybe even how to soup up a cheap welder to make it do what you want it to do. I've found some welding forums that tell how to soup up the Harbor Freight wire feed welders in case you have one already. Check this out. http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=33848
I use an oxygen/ acetylene torch mostly. I have a buzz box ac welder hardly ever use it. I just bought a cheap
flux core wire feed welder Century 80 GL. Couldn't pass it up looked at a lot of other welders
but this was a deal.
This thing works right out of the box better than I thought it would. I'm learning how to weld thin metal with it sheet metal is tough to do still learning and might need to do some changes to make it work right
Here's some cheap tips if found searching on the web.
to keep the tip clean from splatters use Pam cooking spray on the tip also supposed to work on keeping the metal splatters from sticking to the welded area. I have not tried this the old lady would get up set if I stole here kitchen stuff.
I have tried using vaseline on the tip makes the splatters very easy to wipe off, prevents it from sticking to the tip just dip the tip in the vaseline and go to welding.
All I've used so far is the Lincoln flux cored wire with this welder 0.035 dia. I have to use the flux core as this machine is not designed for gas shielding the wire.
For a cheap wire feed welder it works good so far.
Its supposed to be able to run smaller 0.030 wire I haven't tried it yet.
It may need a smaller wire drive wheel and tip, I read that you can run the smaller wire with out changing the drive wheel or tip if your using flux core wire.
One thing I found out right to start with is do not let the end of the spool of wire loose. Keep a tight grip on the wire it will go crazy if you let it slip as your feeding it in to the drive wheel.
A auto darkening welding helmet is a must have for wire feed or arc welding.
Don't wear your good glasses either, they will get welding boogers on them when welding.
Walmart sells the magnifying reading glasses they will work good for us who need to wear glasses to see, or you can get welding lens that have magnification built in them.
I didn't use my good glasses, just thought it might help one of you guys from having your good glasses get ruined.
This is more for being able to find out what works for you. Info on the least expensive welder that works good.
Places where you get good deals on supplies.
Places where you get accessory's that many might not know about etc. Maybe even how to soup up a cheap welder to make it do what you want it to do. I've found some welding forums that tell how to soup up the Harbor Freight wire feed welders in case you have one already. Check this out. http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=33848
I use an oxygen/ acetylene torch mostly. I have a buzz box ac welder hardly ever use it. I just bought a cheap
flux core wire feed welder Century 80 GL. Couldn't pass it up looked at a lot of other welders
but this was a deal.
This thing works right out of the box better than I thought it would. I'm learning how to weld thin metal with it sheet metal is tough to do still learning and might need to do some changes to make it work right
Here's some cheap tips if found searching on the web.
to keep the tip clean from splatters use Pam cooking spray on the tip also supposed to work on keeping the metal splatters from sticking to the welded area. I have not tried this the old lady would get up set if I stole here kitchen stuff.
I have tried using vaseline on the tip makes the splatters very easy to wipe off, prevents it from sticking to the tip just dip the tip in the vaseline and go to welding.
All I've used so far is the Lincoln flux cored wire with this welder 0.035 dia. I have to use the flux core as this machine is not designed for gas shielding the wire.
For a cheap wire feed welder it works good so far.
Its supposed to be able to run smaller 0.030 wire I haven't tried it yet.
It may need a smaller wire drive wheel and tip, I read that you can run the smaller wire with out changing the drive wheel or tip if your using flux core wire.
One thing I found out right to start with is do not let the end of the spool of wire loose. Keep a tight grip on the wire it will go crazy if you let it slip as your feeding it in to the drive wheel.
A auto darkening welding helmet is a must have for wire feed or arc welding.
Don't wear your good glasses either, they will get welding boogers on them when welding.
Walmart sells the magnifying reading glasses they will work good for us who need to wear glasses to see, or you can get welding lens that have magnification built in them.
I didn't use my good glasses, just thought it might help one of you guys from having your good glasses get ruined.
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