Welding Advice

[99_3.0]

I have a few questions about using my new $130 dollar (WOOOHOO) welder effectively. It's a Northern Tool 125, 110 volt flux cored wire feed. It has the ability to run .030 or .035. I've been using the .030 that came with it and have had pretty good results. It will penetrate 1/8th inch steel well with a couple passes. Would .030 or .035 be the most effective in welding thicker stuff? I have NO need to weld thin sheet metal junk. All use of this welder is 1/8th inch or 3/16ths. Which brands of wire are the best? Any and all advice is appreciated!

 

[NMB2]

its going to be harder to weld anything thicker with that tiny machine. I would still use .030

 

[4x4junkie]

Agreed, .035 might be a bit much for that box.

 

[99_3.0]

What brand of wire would you reccomend? I've heard that the difference between brands can be significant.

 

[4x4junkie]

I've heard to stay away from Radnor, but that was in regards to solid (ER70S-6) wire due to excess spattering.

Not sure if there are similar reasons to avoid their flux-core wire (haven't used it).

 

[yyc_tbird_sc]

Hobart makes a good wire....used about a half roll on my POS 110V welder in the garage. Stepping up to a Millermatic 211 though so I'll be able to weld up to 3/8" in a single pass (not that I have the need to weld metal that thick).

Not sure if you have an Air Liquide dealer in your area, but if you do go in and talk with the rep and see what they have to offer and suggest. If no Air Liquide dealers, find a couple welding shops and see if any of them stock any of the same product, if they do, then it's most likely a very liked wire.

 

[Ranger#1]

110 volt flux cored

eww

 

[martin]

I've found the lincoln flux core works well. .030 is probably your better choice with the small machine.

 

[Iron Ranger]

X2. .030 is a good number for any 110V welder, and brand of wire is a big difference due to the quality of materials and quality control points. You get what you pay for.

Hobart wire is the best stuff I have used yet. Nice, smooth flux core welds with no porosity zones(cheap wire skimps out on the amount of flux in the wire=porosity spots)