Welding Advice Please!

[KidVermicious]

Those do look really good.

Try spraying the area with some Pam or whatever next time. It doesn't seem to make the weld dirty, and the spatter cleans off much easier. Plus it smells like french fries .

 

[SV_Dude]

Those do look really good.

Try spraying the area with some Pam or whatever next time. It doesn't seem to make the weld dirty, and the spatter cleans off much easier. Plus it smells like french fries .

Never heard of the pam deal. I wonder if it affects the integrity of the steel since youre introducting chemicals to it.

 

[having fun]

On this video Kevin linked -How to Weld, Part 1 - YouTube, is a pretty good example of teaching. The only thing that has me wondering, actually a couple of things.

1- Can't weld galvanized steel
2- Galvanized steel is magnetic

I learned to weld doing wrought iron and chain link fences, MILES of it. The only way you going to make a commercial grade gate is by welding it. So I don't no where his theory came from on that. Granted, the fumes coming off of it isn't something you want to breath, and maybe that's why he said you can't weld it.

EDIT: And Jeff, I personally think you did a great job on them welds.

 

[Antman]

Thanks guys! The advice and compliments are appreciated. Hopefully I can duplicate more welds like that, or maybe it was beginner's luck...ound:

 

[ugamurph]

Jeff, thank you for starting this thread. I think I'm about to take the plunge into the welding world too. This is all very helpful and encouraging information.

Although I know absolutely nothing about welding, I thought your weld looked good.
[MENTION=67079]Fjatheart[/MENTION] - Good info here.

 

[gm350reratliff]

For those inside corner welds, try slowing down the wire speed slighly or turn up the heat just a tad. For the spatter, try this:
Welders Anti-Spatter Spray - Welders Anti-Spatter Spray(sold individuall) - Amazon.com

 

[gaterose]

What welder does everyone recommend for a beginner/cheapish setup?

I was happy to see this thread as I've thought about buying this welder several times myself ($100 to get into welding for small projects sounds awesome) but when I google the welder I find people saying the same thing, that everyone here is, about the HF model.
[MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION]

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

What welder does everyone recommend for a beginner/cheapish setup?

I was happy to see this thread as I've thought about buying this welder several times myself ($100 to get into welding for small projects sounds awesome) but when I google the welder I find people saying the same thing, that everyone here is, about the HF model.

[MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION]

Hobart Handler 140, won't find a better machine for the money IMO

 

[momo.75]

I would love to be able to weld.

 

[SV_Dude]

Hobart Handler 140, won't find a better machine for the money IMO

The hobart handler 140 is a great little machine. I went with the miller 140 because I wanted something that was spool gun ready and my miller 140 welds just as good on the thick stuff as my hobart 187. Hobarts are made by miller so they are going to be good machines.

If you have the 210V outlet in your garage or if you can wire it in I would strongly suggest getting a 180 series welder since it will weld the thick stuff too.

 

[ugamurph]

Hobart Handler 140, won't find a better machine for the money IMO

Hey Josh, thanks for your input. I've been considering the 140, 190 or 210MVP. The 140 runs on a 115V outlet and the other two run on 230V. I have both outlets available in my garage. I'm planning to eventually build a rear bumper. What would you recommend in that case? I don't mind spending a little extra now so I don't have to buy again later when I decide I "need" a larger welder.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Hey Josh, thanks for your input. I've been considering the 140, 190 or 210MVP. The 140 runs on a 115V outlet and the other two run on 230V. I have both outlets available in my garage. I'm planning to eventually build a rear bumper. What would you recommend in that case? I don't mind spending a little extra now so I don't have to buy again later when I decide I "need" a larger welder.

Go with the biggest machine you can afford to run/power. you may rarely need all 210 amps, i never have, but the bigger machine will have a better duty cycle and run at normal loads all day. That would come in handy welding up a plate bumper or something that needed a ton of welding. Whatever you get, plan on using gas and avoid flux core wire. I hate hate HATE spatter and cleaning it up lol. That's half of why i TIG as much as i do.

 

[Offroader5]

Way back when I built my first real steel project (rear bumper/tire carrier for my Jeep), I picked up a Lincoln Weld Pak 100. Came as a flux core welder with the option of adding the MIG kit ($100) later if you wanted. I ended up finishing the entire bumper with the welder still set up as flux core.

Soon after the bumper I started planning to build sliders, suspension links, steering links, armor, and cage pieces. I went out and bought the MIG kit. After welding with MIG, I looked back and couldn't believe the pain I put myself through on that rear bumper...wishing I had just bought the MIG kit to begin with.

Look at all that splatter...



This was after a bit of practice with the flux core...
Wasn't sure this would hold since the round stock was solid and the tube was .125 wall.



This was the lower portion...



This was the final product...



Nothing on that bumper ever broke loose, and it was abused on the trail.

Not to side track the thread by posting my own pics...but my point is that you can get good product from the flux core setup, but it's a lot more clean-up and takes a bit more to dial in the temp/speed than with MIG. With MIG and correct settings, you get zero splatter. Saves a lot of time in the cleanup stage and overall it's just a better weld.

 

[ndcent]

Bump for another novice diving in...

Took a class the other day and have been obsessively shopping welders since. I went with something a little bigger that I can grow into, I also like that it's spool gun ready to do aluminum should I ever want to. I don't have any specific plans in mind, really its another tool in the toolbox when you want to build things that doesn't involve lumber and screws, just all kinds of utilitarian shit I'm excited to mess with.

"Used once" showroom spotless for five bills I got this Hobart Handler 190. Came with the cart and a really nice custom cover to keep it clean.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Love my Hobart Handler 180! And paired with a small hypertherm plasma cutter and a Makita cold saw makes metal work quick and easy. Having basic metal working tools at home comes in amazingly handy quite often. And its so much fun too

 

[ARC]

My wife agreed to get me a welding setup for Christmas. And I am strongly leaning towards the Hobart Handler 140. Are there other options I should consider? I have no welding experience, but want something I can learn with and then use for fairly serious projects.

Planned projects:
Welding cart
Welding/work table(s)
Beef up my Savage skids
Rear suspension links
Roof rack
And so much more...

I think this machine will handle these things well, and make them enjoyable to do. What are other "Must Have" items to get started?

 

[KidVermicious]

A good mask makes a huge difference. I don't use welding gloves much, mostly just for handling hot stuff, but a blanket is handy. A big collection of finger and c clamps. Magnets. Angle finder. Wire brush and slag hammer. If you're using flux core, a can of cooking spray helps clean up spatter.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

A little late on this thread, but I want to add a couple things for those looking for welders.

-Make sure you understand the Duty Cycle of your welder, for example;

• The Hobart Handler 140 has a Duty Cycle of 20% at 90Amps/18.5Volts DC and a Duty Cyle of 100% at 40Amps. this means that at 90A/18.5VDC you can only weld 2 out of 10 minutes before the machine needs to cool down to prevent overheating; while at 40amps it can weld continuously.

-You also want to take into account what materials your welder is capable of, as well as the thickness range.

• The Hobart Handler 140 can weld between 24 Gauge (about .025"/.64mm thick) and up to 1/4"(.250") mild steel. But according to its charts it can only do between 16Gauge (.060"/1.6 mm) and 12 Gauge (.105"/2.7mm) Aluminum plate

-Which brings me to the next point, make sure you know what gas and/or wire you need for various welding projects.

• Using the Hobart Handler 140 again as our example, when welding 1/4" Mild Steel you need a .030"/.08mm or .035"/.09mm ER70S-6 MIG Wire with either 100% CO2 Gas or 75% Argon/25% CO2 Gas.

• 12 Gauge Aluminum calls for .030" or .035" 4043 AL or 5356 AL MIG Wire with 100% Argon Gas (you'll also need to adjust your welder's Polarity if you are using Aluminum.

• If you're using Flux-Core with 1/4" Mild Steel you need either .030" or .035" E71T-11 Flux-Core Wire

-If you're going do any welding I highly recommend you purchase an "Auto-Darkening" Welding Helmet, they can be a bit pricey for decent models but they will not only make welding far easier (since you don't have to flip your helmet down and frees up your hands when setting up a weld) but also protect your eyes from flash burns better (because it darkens faster than you can flip an old helmet down as your tack/start welding)

-I would also invest in some welding magnets and clamps to help set-up, they are like having extra hands!

-Get a good wire wheel/flappy paddle and brushes, material surface preparation is an important part of laying a solid weld.

-If any of the above confuses you some, I would see if your local college has an introduction to welding course. Not only will it give you a safe, professional environment to learn in, but it also gives you access to some one who has working experience and time to help you fine tune your technique.

Okay I'll shut up now before I start scaring everyone away from welding.

 

[Bandit Runner]

My wife agreed to get me a welding setup for Christmas. And I am strongly leaning towards the Hobart Handler 140. Are there other options I should consider? I have no welding experience, but want something I can learn with and then use for fairly serious projects.

Planned projects:
Welding cart
Welding/work table(s)
Beef up my Savage skids
Rear suspension links
Roof rack
And so much more...

I think this machine will handle these things well, and make them enjoyable to do. What are other "Must Have" items to get started?

I was like you, and had no welding experience. I bought the Hobart Handler 140. It is a very easy to use machine, and I was able to learn quickly. I only use flux core wire, and have welded 1/4" thick steel no problem. I have built bumpers, skidplates, roof rack, etc with it. I am very happy with it.

I also bought an auto-darkening helmet, a welding jacket/apron, and welding gloves. That should get you started.

 

[Ezlife45]

Hobart.com

I am new here but I've purchased a Hobart and soon I hope to start practicing as well.

Hobart.com has a little forum that you can look at tips and tricks etc. Lots of good people there and good info. Hobart is kind of like a Miller-lite. Not quite the duty cycle of a Miller, but also not quite the price of a Miller.