Welding advice, Can a cheap flux welder do what I need? Options

[Deusexmachina77]

I have to weld in a new front trunk pan replacing the hole left from an AC unit. I have taken two MIG classes. Beside being a newbie, I have other limitations to consider.

I don’t have access to a 220 line.
I’m inexperienced.
It would cost me $1000 to have it professionally done. And I don’t want to buy a bunch of equipment for one job.

Can I use a flux welder? There a couple cheap units at Harbor Freight (under $150) on sale right now. What don’t I know that I should know?

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[Shivers]

Just patching the hole, absolutely. I do all sorts of stuff with rosin core wire. Get a good mini grinder and flapper wheels for it. It is messy. I have a handful of small pieces of sheet copper to mask off anything machined or sensitive.

[iankarr]

Get a 120v Hobart Handler. U can set it up for mig or flux. It will be far less than 1K and be useful for years. I’d go right for the mig setup. Not a big deal to get a tank.

[Superhawk996]

May I suggest you’ve asked the wrong question.

Can you . . . Yes.

Should you use a cheap sub $150 HF flux core unit? No.

Why or why not?

Flux core spatter is going to be a mess and will be a PITA to clean up all the splatter.

The cheaper the unit, the harder it is to get a decent weld. Cheap units tend to have limited control over welding current and wire speed. They also tend to have issues with the wire feed mechanism that results in wire slippage or worse yet, jamming and birds’ nesting. Can be very frustrating.

I’d bet with a little searching, you can find a nice used 120v Hobart Handler or Lincoln weld pack 140 in the $250-350 range. As stated by Ian, the ability to use shielding gas is a huge upgrade and even if you choose not to use gas right now, it’s huge as your skills progress.

Bottom line: the cheaper the welder may impair your learning and is more likely to frustrate you.

[930cabman]

May I suggest you’ve asked the wrong question.

Can you . . . Yes.

Should you use a cheap sub $150 HF flux core unit? No.

Why or why not?

Flux core spatter is going to be a mess and will be a PITA to clean up all the splatter.

The cheaper the unit, the harder it is to get a decent weld. Cheap units tend to have limited control over welding current and wire speed. They also tend to have issues with the wire feed mechanism that results in wire slippage or worse yet, jamming and birds’ nesting. Can be very frustrating.

I’d bet with a little searching, you can find a nice used 120v Hobart Handler or Lincoln weld pack 140 in the $250-350 range. As stated by Ian, the ability to use shielding gas is a huge upgrade and even if you choose not to use gas right now, it’s huge as your skills progress.

Bottom line: the cheaper the welder may impair your learning and is more likely to frustrate you.

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Don't cheap out with a welder or any tool as far as that goes. Just like anything else welding is practice and more practice. If you try with a cheapie the results will frustrate you.

[Superhawk996]

Looked up what is on sale

Definately don’t get this one. Only current control is a single min/max switch.



This one at least has variable wire speed and variable current controls. Duty cycle is pretty low at 30% @ 90A but would work in a pinch.

Looks like a smaller inverter type unit - meaning no big heavy transformer but slightly more fragile. This has complicated power electronics, and if anything fails, it is a throwaway unit.



Still would recommend a better used unit that can support shielding gas but wanted to see what was being offered by HF.

[rjames]

Echoing the advice to look for a quality unit that allows the use of a tank. Check Craigslist. I was able to find a Lincoln with a tank, a cart, and a bunch of accessories fairly cheap. Plus if you decide to sell it afterwards, you’ll likely make of your $ back.

[Deusexmachina77]

Guys,

Thanks everyone for really good advice. I was looking at Craig’s list but I felt I didn’t know enough to evaluate the condition and value. But that seems like the way to go to keep my costs down. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Superhawk996]

felt I didn’t know enough to evaluate the condition and value.

If buying used, have whoever you are buying from demo it by laying down some beads for you.

I probably wouldn’t buy used if a seller won’t demo it and wants to just unload in a Walmart parking lot or something like that.

Put out feeler with car guys / car clubs. Usually someone knows someone looking to upgrade. Good opportunity to avoid Craigslist randomness.

Bought this one used almost 30 years ago for about $100.



I don’t use it much (moved on to TIG) but it still works. This one is pretty low end with two switches that only allow 4 current levels. Very basic but came with hoses and regulator and it can use shielding gas which was a decent enough machine to get me started way back when.

[mb911]

Ugh I need to do a sticky on this. Superhawk has you rolling in the right direction so I won’t touch this topic for now

[bkrantz]

Find a friend with a welder.

Or (better) find a friend who is a welder.

[emerygt350]

I have had the titanium for 4 years now. I have used it on 1/4 plate and on sheet metal. I use aluminum foil to protect surfaces. It will give a very nice weld on thick metal, takes a little practice on the thin stuff. It has been very reliable and worth what I paid for it. No jamming or any other issues. Practice your welds before attempting thin metal work. I was a welder in a previous life (30 years ago) though. Mig or tig would of course be better but I really think the titanium has its applications and this may be one of them. No gas, super cheap, decent quality, and 120 with the guts to make really nice welds on pretty heavy metal.

[IronHillRestorations]

True MIG (shielding gas) is the only way to go for any body work. Without the shielding gas you have slag on every weld, and invariably you will get weld inclusions (bad spots) as a result. With shielding gas you can weld on a prior bead without knocking the slag off. You can also use a .023 wire which is better for thin metal. I’ve never used a flux wire welder, so I’m not sure what size wire.

[stownsen914]

As a self taught hobbyist welder, I'd have to agree that the right equipment is important. Good you took a class, so you are off to a good start. It's worth spending a little more and/or being patient to find a deal on a quality used unit. It's hard enough to learn to weld well without poor equipment stunting your leaning and/or contributing to mediocre outcome.

Another option - I borrowed a good MIG for a while at one point before I had my own.

[Mayne]

I have a small Titanium flux core welder that has served me well for a couple of years. Sometimes I can weld quite well with it, other times not so much. But I’ve done the front pan, hell hole, and passenger side floor pan repairs with it. I’ll upgrade to mig before I tackle steel GT flares.

[Spoke]

I don’t have access to a 220 line.

I was worried about that when I bought my 110V welder but virtually all the welding you'll do on your 914 doesn't require the higher power of a 220V unit.

Like you I wanted to spend as little as possible to get started with a 110V Millermatic 135 welder and flux core wire as I didn't have a tank.

My first job with the welder was to repair the muffler hanger on my 914 which I had hose clamped together to keep running. I remember standing there after finishing that weld looking around at anything else I could weld because it was so much fun.

Since then I've welded so many areas of my 2 914s and my 930 as well as items on friend's cars. I'm just bummed that I waited so long to purchase the welder.

Whatever equipment you buy if you do buy, make sure it has variable speed and power. Not rotary click switches or hi/med/lo or hi/lo switches.

[MikeK]

I have to weld in a new front trunk pan replacing the hole left from an AC unit. I have taken two MIG classes. Beside being a newbie, I have other limitations to consider.

I don’t have access to a 220 line.
I’m inexperienced.
It would cost me $1000 to have it professionally done. And I don’t want to buy a bunch of equipment for one job.

Can I use a flux welder? There a couple cheap units at Harbor Freight (under $150) on sale right now. What don’t I know that I should know?

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

I know it can be challenging, but can you post a picture of the project? Maybe it's something that a panel can be made and patched over with rivets?

If it does require complete replacement, you could remove it, prep and fit the new panel with sheet metal screw or clecos, then rent a machine or hire welder to compete the job. I would think a half day rental would be pretty affordable and enough time if it was prepared properly.

As was suggested, a used, name brand machine can be found for not a lot of money and having the ability to weld is a nice skill to have. I have MIG, TIG and O/A. If I could have just one, it would be O/A.

[Root_Werks]

That much welding, I'd use a gas shielded MIG. I have a small one, 110V and it works well for thinner metal like body panels.

I also have one of those little Flux MIG welders I use for field repairs. It's saved my bacon many times welding up tools, carts etc. out in the middle of nowhere. I wouldn't use a Flux welder on body work. Others have already stated all the reasons.

Best option is find a buddy who welds and pay him in beer to do the work.

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[mgarrison]

I used the HF titanium flux core welder because I was working outside, and didn't want to fuss with a tank & gas. Not great, but works pretty decent in my opinion...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...p;#entry2883421

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[porschetub]

Seems to be all about wire and feed control which my 2 yr old BOC Smootharc 180 240V has in spades ,I went from new machine and built a farm hay trailer that was framed in 6mm wall thickness box section galv-coated , I was on co2 gas the welding was so easy it was fun, vertical welds were so simple .
Fairly recently closed up the front panel OP had been cut for a cooler ,had no gas left so changed to flux wire and did some test welds after changing settings for 1mm thickness panel steel , my welding experience is pretty extensive but don't have a lot of time with panel steel , this machine made me look like a real "star" TBH.
To me welding is like painting ...its all in the prep , correct gaps,clean surfaces ,correct feed and current ,good helmet and gloves and you get a decent result IMO.
If you are a bit short of cash buy a half decent one then on sell when you are done .
Cheers.