flux core?

[CTENG in KS]

I just noticed that the little welder that could is no lolnger on sale...I musta just got in under the wire cause now they want $200.00 for it... 
Not a good deal at that price.

[toybuilt]

you need a real welder anyways.

[CTENG in KS]

Some of us have a few small tasks to do now...will get the big welder when I have 220V access.

[kyle_22r]

you need a real welder anyways.

what is a "real" welder anyway?  this thing is gonna be able to do anything i need to on my truck, if i had a 220V box i'd be turning it all the way down.

kind of like the fullsize guys telling me i need to get a "real" truck

[crawlerdan]

i think what he meant was, a larger capacity welder, 110, or 220, would do a better job, longer, ive had two small ones like yours, and i agree, it would do everything, but i had to let it cool and it pooped my breaker alot. i also have come to the realiztion that these small"home duty " welders, just cant produce a weld strong enough for spring hangers, perches, sliders, cages, ect. thats when i got a big one, or rather, started using toybuilts big one

[CTENG in KS]

My very own little welder that could arrived yesterday...will give it a run this weekend... 

[gonzo]

My very own little welder that could arrived yesterday...will give it a run this weekend...

Let us know what you think of it CT.  I am interested your opinion of it.

[CTENG in KS]

I will take pictures and such too...

[gonzo]

I will take pictures and such too...

thanks CT

[CTENG in KS]

I figure I ought to be a good reviewer of said tiny welder, I do not have the amount of experience mr Kyle does, I am just the novice type.  I am sure I will make all the common mistakes and it will take me a little time to figure out how to get it to work best, but I'm smart like that.   

[gonzo]

CT I have a little Weld Pac 100 Lincoln.  It isn't the best in the world but for now it does the job for me.  The biggest thing with a low current welder is that you need to make several passes for thicker stuff and spend more time in prep.  It's my first welder I really enjoy using it.  I made a set of sliders for a buddy of mine for his jeep.  He had no problem at all with them.  I also made a monster front bumper for one of the old jeep trucks (I don't recall the model).  I made it from 3" x 8" x 1/4" steel pipe.  It was one heavy bumper. The welder worked like a champ.  Most of the welding I've done is on galvanized steel used for horse corrals.

I'm sure you will have no problem figuring it out. "we were all beginners at one time"

[CTENG in KS]

 

[toybuilt]

The first welder I got and still have is a miller210, I love it.

[gonzo]

The first welder I got and still have is a miller210, I love it.

From what I understand Miller is the best.  I've been told that they rarely break down.  Miller will be my next welder.

[toybuilt]

all I can say is that I beleave there the best and so do all my buds

[Duffil]

miller for MIG, Lincoln for stick, how i feel anyhow...

[crawlerdan]

i have seven millers and a lincoln, all migs, i prefer the millers in my shop

[CTENG in KS]

I understand that there are certain brands (miller, lincoln, hobart, etc.) that are the bomb diggity, but when it comes to all this propoganda for any other alternative...I have only one thing to say...my vanaynay is getting sore listening to it all...let us have our FUN!
That is all, thank you!

[kyle_22r]

when it comes to the pricier mainstream stuff i've gotta say i'm a miller guy. never had any trouble with lincoln's stuff though, its settings just aren't as intuitive for somebody like me

[89 toy]

the bigger the better i have a lincoln power mig 215 i can weld any thing all day long and it never thinks of shuting down.the best investment ive made so far

[CTENG in KS]

Little welder that could, day the first...I'm tired.  Before you tell me, I know my welds blow, this is only the third or fourth time for me so, bear with.  All constructive criticism will be appreciated.  Here is the little outfit...I could add that to the "YOU" thread!

[CTENG in KS]

So, first time with a new welder use a test peice right???, not me!
Just went for it due to lack of useable scrap for practice.  So here is my first ugly attempt...I ground all the surfaces bare and cleaned all the particulates off.  It is quite a booger, but 4 pound hammer says it isn't moving.

[CTENG in KS]

So I figure give it another shot eh?  Little better on this one, I was adjusting the wire speed to my liking. 

[CTENG in KS]

Here is where I started on the bottom of the frame brace...this was the best looking of them, makes sense I would be welding upside-down...isn't that supposed to be trickier.  I assume that if I am melting about 3/4 of the 1/4 inch plate and that is mixing into my puddle that I am getting decent penetration?

[crawlerdan]

looks as though you didnt pen. the frame a whole lot. and maybe turn wire speed down a hair, but its kinda hard to tell on this pic, practice settings on scrap metal, until your happy w/it

[CTENG in KS]

Yeah, there's actually a fairly large gap between the frame radius and the brace.  I may go another pass though anyway just to make sure.

[kyle_22r]

the last time i welded with it(about a month ago, i'm screwing with engine problems now ) i was having the best luck on my 1/8" steel on the HI range setting and my wire speed up around 7 or so.  play around with scrap metal until you get a good feel for it

[CTENG in KS]

I was running on Hi and about 4 on the wire speed...I just need to play with wire speed for a bit, no big deal, the nice thing is that this thing get PLENTY hot for 1/4 inch penetration.  I was impressed.  I am noticing that the damn puddle boogers up faster than I can move it, is this a wirespeed issue, or more likely I just need more practice? 
Hey Kyle...where's your pics, I am carrying this whole thread myself!   

[kyle_22r]

hopefully when i get my motor back together next week i'll be able to get back on track with the crossover steering, so you'd get your pics(when i setup the steering that is) 

the boogering you're getting looks like the wire speed is too low.  what's happening is that the wire is getting cooked before it has enough time to reach the metal, instead of a steady stream that'd make a nice puddle

[CTENG in KS]

That makes sense, I will crank the speed up a couple notches tomorrow.