Try that same welder after you add an Argon/CO2 gas bottle with regulator and solid wire. After just a bit of learning with how to adjust the gas pressure and wire speed to match the weld amps and metal thickness, you will produce a much more satisfactory weld each time.
Flux core wire induces flux into the weld puddle which cools the puddle too soon, plus it makes it harder to "find the right weld amp / wire speed combination." With a gas envelope, the impurities are carried away from the weld, so it's easier to get a clean weld and set the amp / wire speed to get the desired weld [pretty welds] On Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 2:01 PM Allan Streib via Mercedes < mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > I have a 220v Harbor Freight welder, MIG with flux core wire. I find it > hard to use. As you said, it makes splattery welds and more often than > not I just burn holes in what I'm working on. Maybe I need more > practice, or maybe it's a crap welder, or both. > > I've been tempted by the "Cobra" welding torch kit from Eastwood. Saw > this video and it looks much more controllable. Of course it's a > marketing video so grains of salt taken. > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kdSwyZRctQ > > Allan > > G Mann via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> writes: > > > MIG welder minimum requirements: > > 1. 220 power [110 does not give you a clean weld and does not have enough > > adjustment room to set for various thickness of metals and proper > > penetration.] > > > > 2. Gas envelope... argon or argon CO2 mix shielding will give MUCH more > > consistent clean weld beads. A flux core wire gives splatter welds and > not > > clean beads.... ie.. poor welds. > > > > 3. Personal equipment: A GOOD quality auto darkening weld helmet. Good > > gloves, Good welding jacket. Good weld joint brush selection [clean metal > > makes un-contaminated weld joints. > > > > 4. A supply of expendable welder parts: ie. cups for mig torch, wire > guides > > for same, etc etc.. [nothing worse than being in the middle of a weld > > project and not have parts to refresh the torch after you dip it into the > > weld puddle for the 10th time and load it up with splatter while you are > > learning.] > > > > 5. A supply of scrap metal to practice welding with.. The more you > > practice, the quicker you learn what not to do, and become a good welder. > > > > Buy the best machine you can afford, shop the reviews of whatever you are > > looking at. Let others teach you from their experience with a particular > > machine. > > > > Good luck, enjoy welding... I've been welding for 67 years and I still > > learn new tricks. > > > > Grant... > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
