Looking at buying a welder-Hobart 140

[ChrisR1S]

Don't be harsh now lol.

This shows what i started with, took the wire wheel to it and yeah it got larger a tad. Then Had to start a bead on the bottom and kept building it up, then ground it down some so i can still have adequate clearance for the header bolt head.

 

[Iron Ranger]

To get technical, flux core is very nice at penetration because of it's polarity. The metal gets hot before the wire (ground is +, wire is -), where as solid wire has more material to burn (solid wire) and it gets hot before the work does.

Very nice on sheet metal and exhaust, not so nice on stuff over 3/16". because that's when the question of penetration and enough power comes into play.

See?

Solid wire:

FLux core:

Stacking beads will also increase the flux core wire's strength of a joint, but I wouldn't go past 3 passes.

 

[Iron Ranger]

Don't be harsh now lol.

This shows what i started with, took the wire wheel to it and yeah it got larger a tad. Then Had to start a bead on the bottom and kept building it up, then ground it down some so i can still have adequate clearance for the header bolt head.

Eh......... looks about right. Mine would've been worse.

Flux core on thin metal or patching holes is veeeeeeeeery difficult. I think you pulled it off just fine. Function over looks!

 

[ChrisR1S]

Ya know, all that makes sense about the polarity and everything

Im really impressed with all of your work; You do some amazing work!

And yeah its not pretty but it fixed the problem. I would have spent more time running a longer bead and ground it all smooth to blend but i found out quickly how easy it was to burn through the tubes even on a low setting haha. Got it remedied in the end though and i did it myself so im happy

 

[ecenur]

Hey guys, I've been thinking about getting a welder so i can get to doing some fab for the ranger. For My budget and what i plan to use it for it seems like i want something like the hobart 140 or 187. Something i can use at home and weld 1/4" thick steel to do things such as some frame boxing, gusseting, brackets, sliders and such. Im pretty good and confident with a stick welder and have some limited experience with MIG. I figure best way to get better at it is to get one and practice! and my stepfather is experienced with MIG and TIG and he's offered to help if i need it.
So anyone here reccomend this welder or something similar? Trying to stay less than 700-750bucks initially. Looking like i said for something to use at home that can comfortably penetrate 1/4 material. Looking to hopefully snatch something up saturday morning and get to practicing some more!

Thanks guys!

Mig welding is one of the easiest forms of welding because, welding thicker metals is less tricky then welding thinner metals used in tig welding. I think you should look for a machine depending on how much your going to be welding and what your going to be welding with, the price will range from there. However, the machines you picked out are pretty good.