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I got an inverter stick welder made by them. It does pretty good on a 110V outlet with an 1/8" 6011 at about 95-100 amps. Not quite as hot as the Lincoln inverter I bought later, but will get the job done. It's great for portability.

I'll just buy a new one. Start over fresh. When you know better, you do better.

I've learned the hand tightened lesson the hard way. The valve seats on my torch handle need machining. A healthy fear of the acetylene makes me tighten the valve too much. Now I have to crank it good to get the fire to go out.

Possible for the crack to keep running if the mushrooms hadn't been removed?

Just got my hands on a 250 gallon tank. Pulled all of the valves and it smells awful. I can see the oil in it using a flashlight.

This one from Eastwood claims 500 amps. Probably a function of how big the bolt is. https://www.eastwood.com/4-magnetic-welding-ground-clamp.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw092IBhAwEiwAxR1lRmYD7JzQIa67I_srFf-necFjr3AfhuuHfNczDikJHayTZiKLIeX1ORoCP-wQAvD_BwE&wickedid=491598523414&wickedsource=google&wv=3.1

I haven't gotten that far yet. Got an inverter stick machine that has a switch for TIG. Haven't gotten around to getting argon or a regulator though. I figure it would be a little difficult for me.

Argon?

Maybe not as good, but it will get the job done.

I have an inverter stick machine that only weighs about 15 or 20 pounds. That's the real reason I won't bother with the flux core. If I need more heat or have to go outside, the stick machine is easier to deal with. Plus stick electrodes are more cost efficient. Only $15 or so for 5 pounds of 6011.

None. Now I just keep .030 solid wire and some 6011 in 3/32 and 1/8.

Solid wire and 100% CO2 is probably too hot for that. Won't look near as bad though.

Forget the flux core thin material, if thin is 18 gauge or less.

Professional rods? I'm getting more and more to the point that I will use a 6011 on mostly everything. I want to try a 6010, but don't want to be stuck with them if the machine won't run them.

I guess I need to upgrade my Mig welder. Then again, 180 amps, .030 and .035, and 100% CO2 handle most of what I come across. When it gets a little to heavy for me to trust myself with wire, the 150 amp stick comes out.

Yep. That smell lasts quite a while.

I bought an Amico brand 160 amp inverter. It doesn't run quite as hot as the Lincoln.

I upgraded. What a difference

I just got a plasma cutter about a month ago. Nothing top notch, but it gets the job done. It's more cost efficient to use. I don't use my torch for much other than heating now.

I'm just a hobbyist, but I think the 6011 makes a better weld. Much more penetration but slower. 6011 has a Charpy rating. It'll deal with the dirt, rust, and paint better than fluxcore. Prep what you can and burn the rest out.

I have another one that I'm dealing with. This time I'll use my plasma cutter. I filled it with water a couple of months ago to cut the valves out and patch the holes.

Cut it, load it with wood, and burn it out. Never will smell or get that hot again. I've cut a few more since this, and have one waiting now.

Like I said in another thread, I'm new to all of this myself. A Google search did turn up a couple of possible scenarios. Either something is dirty (tip, cutting attachment, clogged hose), or your pressures aren't correct for the tip that you're using. One possible scenario is the gauges might...

Is it popping while your cutting or just whenever it is lit?

Must be a busy holiday weekend.

I've read of the valves on those smaller tanks being prone to leaking. As far as the flashback arrestors, I would just run one set. But what do I know? I just started playing with welders and torches 3 years ago. I'm still learning.

I can't help you with pressures. All I know is the Harris torch that I own. I'm sure someone will come along with some good info from experience.

Depending on what I'm doing, I'll go to either the scrap yard, one of two local suppliers, or a guy that I met that builds trailers. It just depends on what I need. I went to the scrapyard this morning and gave $10 for a 3+ foot piece of 2 1/4" x 1/4" wall pipe and a 2'x2' piece of 12 gauge...

Would the tip happen to look like one of these https://www.google.com/search?q=0-3-101+cutting+tip&oq=0-3-10&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j6j0l2.6261j0j4&client=ms-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#scso=_p3awYI_8NOiC9PwPhLcP10:0.35555556416511536

Since you would be swapping the bottles out at a welding shop (and quite often), I would suggest going there for flashback arrestors. They'll be pretty much standard. Might as well get to know them. If you use the torch with any regularity for cutting, you'll be there a lot. It's not...

Protective Gear I started like you not long ago. As far as PPE is concerned, a helmet is a must. I have done just fine with a Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet for the past couple of years. The 1st welding machine I got my hands on came with one. It worked fine until the batteries died. I...

Yep, all of the spatter ends up in my gas nozzle. I have to clean it every 5 welds. I still like it better than flux core though. It seems to make a stronger weld. It definitely makes a better looking weld. And if my calculations are anywhere near close, it's more cost efficient.

A lot of wire and sputtering sounds like the wire feed is probably a little high for the voltage. The feed speed is equivalent to the amperage setting in stick. The only difference is you have to have the voltage set high enough to burn the wire efficiently. My grandfather got a little 70 amp...

Usually the suggested wire feed rate is too low to even get a bead started on this machine. About 25-50 IPM will get it going pretty good. A little oscillation will flatten the bead for me. I move too slow for the fast feed, and I get a better tie in at the toes. I might try some Lincoln wire...

Angle iron will twist, but anything would work with proper bracing.

I guess my best bet for consistency would be the Lincoln wire from Lowe's. I can't really say much about the SMAW rods from Lowe's. I bought an imported stick welder just to see how I would like it. Turns out that I like it more than mig or flux core. But I was using the Lowe's rods. Since then...

I just bought what the welding shop had. Never heard of Weldmark until I started going to that shop. I think ESAB makes the ER70S-6. A Google search turned up Weldmark by ESAB. I bought some 6011s and 7018s that I thought were pretty decent. They had the Blue Demon Logo on the package. I guess...

I guess it is imported. Pro Mig 180 sold by Lowes and assembled in Mexico. Maybe my gas nozzle keeps the spatter off the work. I have to clean it quite often. The stick out has to be kept pretty short. I have to say, I probably won't go back to flux core. If I see a need for flux core, I'll...

I just decided to do a little experimenting. I got a 20 pound CO2 cylinder and some Weldmark .035 ER70S-6. After running a few welds to test the combination, I love it!!! Definitely not more spatter than flux core. Seems pretty hot too. Am I missing anything???

Sounds like you had a little bit of the fun that you had been looking for. It's early in the warm season. The fun is just beginning.

I guess that's out until I can get my hands on an AC/DC machine. I'm going to give TIG a try. I might be able to get it together well enough to do small parts.

Sounds like they're not all that much cheaper buying in bulk like that. I just bought 5 pounds of 6011 and 5 pounds of 7018 today, and paid about $40. I think the brand was Weldmark. I tried the 6011 on my little Amico inverter. I'm not sure if it was the machine or the rods, but the arc kept...

It looks like the pressure is back. I guess it's just the area I'm in. The water company is going to have to get it together. They have a lot of people bigger than me eyeballing the situation. The hospital is canceling surgeries. They need water for heat. The casino is closed due to water...

Speaking of TIG, I've seen where it's possible to TIG really thin aluminum on DC. I think that would be really nice to repair the thin aluminum on a jon boat.Thoughts anyone?

That's why I've been trying to keep it as basic as I can with flux core. I just started with stick a few months ago. I ran across a used Lincoln inverter stick machine (Invertec V155-S) that I want to try just because it's set up to double as a TIG machine. It's a costly hobby no doubt.

Well, they say it's not broken. My sister sent me a screenshot of a Facebook post from the city or mayor saying they weren't turning the water off. They're telling people not to fill their bathtubs or containers with water (like I did earlier in the evening). They say that would cause the...

It will definitely be rare. I'm disabled, but most of it is below the neck.

Broken water main in Pine Bluff, AR. Water pressure is pitiful and will probably be totally off tomorrow for a while once they find the leak. I'm 6'3" and knee deep in snow.

I'm too clumsy. Probably would end up laying on it.

I believe the totes have a MC cylinder which is 10 cu ft. The next size up is B which is 40 cu ft. I just filled mine which is a 75 cu ft. Costs about $50 to fill. How long it lasts depends on the tip that you use. I mostly use a 000 tip to cut and a #1 for bending.

No flip flops while cooking on that one.

That's some air bubble they found.

?????

I see the older ones are pretty pricey. I don't even want to check the price of a quality new one. https://littlerock.craigslist.org/tls/d/hot-springs-national-park-antique/7253504731.html

I would've thought there would be more people coming by with a sign out. Better get on your knees for the wife. Facebook, Craigslist, (I went blank after Craigslist). Maybe a bigger sign out front. Get some scrap for a small project and post it for sale when done.

I've been meaning to get some of the Alumaweld rods to make repairs and add accessories to my boat. From the ads and videos I've seen, they make pretty solid connections.

He put up a new video one day last week I believe. He's making progress it appears.

https://www.instructables.com/Tie-Fighter-Fire-Pit/

I just don't have the imagination for art. I just barely get by with the projects that I feel like I have a use for.

The link works fine. I watch a lot videos. The editing or camera features aren't what I'm looking for though. The content is what I'm after. Wouldn't care if it was recorded with a 3G phone. If I can learn something, the video has my attention. I say you're on the right track with the trailer...

I've also started putting videos of this on Youtube if you (or anyone) is interested. Post a link. ?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️?‍♂️ I'm interested!!!

I think the direction you're headed in is a good start. I would probably use the front for a table if the tongue was going to be removable. That would put all of the equipment at the back over the axle and help with tongue weight when it did need to be moved. I'm sure you'll get answers from...

Looks like the .045 liner will be put back into service. I tried to sell the NR 212, and didn't have any takers. I'll use it before I just give it away. Only had 1 offer of $30 shipped. Looks like it's getting burned by me.

And Happy New Year!!!

????????????‍??‍??‍??‍??‍??‍? Thank you and the same to you.

I do notice that the knurled roller leaves marks. I can see them with the light from the arc. I only have the roller tight enough to push the wire though. The drive roller tension knob is labeled 1-5, with 1-3 being the setting for flux core wire. I have it set right at 1. That setting will feed...

I keep running across these. Here ya go...

I did notice a grit that looked like the wire might have been leaving shavings that built up over time. Kind of like crushed charcoal. Once the wire broke off I just headed to the welding supply. I tried to snip a little of the liner hoping to leave the wire intact to give me something to pull...

The other day I was using my wire welder on part of a project when then wire just stopped feeding. I looked up to see the gun had come out of the welder. I know what happened though. I changed my liner from a .035-.045 back to the factory .025-035 and forgot to tighten the hold down screw. I...

Oh yeah, your a teacher. There is a little basic electricity knowledge that is helpful to know. From what I've read and understand, most of the heat is on the item that is tied to the negative lead. Self shielding flux core is electrode negative. The elections flow from the wire to the work...

I'm getting it. It's just going to take some practice. Today I was messing around with the flux core welder, and I've noticed that a stick weld goes a little faster. At least for me. The wire has to hang in there a little while to build the weld up and give the arc a chance to burn the base...

I'm pretty sure it's the long arcing then. I went out today and grinder some of the welds out. The porosity was only on the surface. Solid weld inside. When I start I always have to tighten the arc up, and when I stop I probably should whip out instead of just pulling up. I'm catching on. I like...

I was just playing around. This morning the grinder with the cup brush has been locked and loaded. It's pretty warm too so I don't mind holding it.

I was going to get 6010, but I saw somewhere that this welder has problems with it. If I run across a pound of it somewhere I'll try it. It runs the 6011 pretty good on DCEP though. I just need to get the whipping technique down.

Just got a stick machine yesterday. I had to jump in. Amico Power DC-160A. It's not top of the line, but neither is my work with it. 6011 and 7018 rods. In the pic the 7018 is super cold. I got a little excited and forgot to put a little more heat into the rod.

I got this little inverter stick welder that does pretty good from what I can tell. I've been playing with it most of the day. I just decided to try it for $100. It should handle pretty much anything that I would do with it. Here's a link if anybody wants to check out the specs...

I think my problem with learning stick was nobody ever really told me what to do, and I couldn't see what others were doing. Anytime I would get a chance to play around with one, the rod was stuck to the piece. I just recently learned to strike it like a match. All the way from shop class in...

I've used 1 spool of the 212. It makes a nice weld. I believe the Harbor Freight wire is a single pass wire though. The 212 is E71TG-G. The Vulcan wire is E71T-GS. The 212 welds about the same as 211, but it seems to make a smoother weld. I'm watching you Gary, so I'm just going to use this as...

The internet has changed the business model. A Google search will give you a wide range of products with a wide range of prices. I think it's a good thing. There's no telling how much shopping would cost if it wasn't for all of the competition.

I'm getting away from trying to run .045 in this little welder. I found a cheap stick machine and I'll use that for thicker steel. I have the NR 212, 17 .045 contact tips for a Lincoln 180, and the .045 liner that was trimmed to fit the gun. $65+shipping https://merc.li/ABK9NcDjb

Every now and then I get something that I need to be as straight as possible and it doesn't fit on the table. Lookout floor

Lowes didn't buy as many, so their price isn't so great. Or they're too greedy to lower their price. I would vote for greed. Lowes will list several brands of the same product on the website, but my local store will only have the more expensive option in stock. Then again, I know nothing.

Is flux core (NR 212) on a Lincoln 180 good enough to build a mobile smoker? Or should I be looking to a process where the filler metal has better specs (charpy v-notch ratings)? The 180 is only rated for 3/16" with solid wire and shielding gas, so I've kind of ruled it out. It's either the NR...

TIG is out for me. I have a hard enough time with a soldering iron. I know trying to repeat that process moving along a joint would be frustrating to say the least. I figure a stick welder would let me try out some different metals without having a lot invested. I haven't had any stainless since...

It is a small area. An 11x20 garage that is full of a lot of other different tools. I don't really have a problem with anything falling through though. That expanded doesn't have big holes. I'm able to drop a cut screw or something of that nature in. It catches some of the chips from the chop...

I could do the same with this Lincoln that I have, but a $200 spool gun and a small argon bottle would set me back a little too far. Then I'll want a cylinder of tri-mix for stainless. I could get a stick welder and do stainless, aluminum, and cast for that $300+. I don't have enough going on to...

I'm cheating. My dad was in Northern Tool and caught it on sale for $60. I was just waiting to run across some 1/4" plate for a top. I guess he knows how much trouble it is to do everything on the ground. https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200712275_200712275

I'm cheating. My dad was in Northern Tool and caught it on sale for $60. I was just waiting to run across some 1/4" plate for a top. I guess he knows how much trouble it is to do everything on the ground. https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200712275_200712275

I stand corrected. I thought aluminum was AC with SMAW. Apparently I hadn't done any homework.

I haven't gotten around to getting set up for MIG yet. Another reason that I'm shooting for a stick welder. I want to try my hand at some other metals also. I was looking at trying the Titanium Stick 225 from Harbor Freight. The thought i had earlier was about aluminum being welded with AC...

I haven't done any welding in about a month. I just took a peek inside the ammo box the other day to see how the moisture absorber was doing. There was quite a bit of water collected at the bottom of it. It's been in there 4 or 5 months, and the water that's been collected is probably more from...

Finally found something that would do great to start a mobile smoker. Well bbq pit anyway.

https://www.millerwelds.com/2020-welding-gift-prize-giveaway?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnb79BRDgARIsAOVbhRrHeVDG-wb8li7fJlZ0-HYerCpOHa-_ldmCcXruQ_VvVAxiBSHrfUYaAj9_EALw_wcB

I don't know if it's arthritis or tendinitis, but this elbow can give me the blues some days.

That is what I would do if I had the manual dexterity. Unfortunately, TIG and gas welding are out for me. A soldering iron is about as good as it gets when it comes to me using both hands. That's not as complicated or dangerous. I just watched a video on the spray powder, and I might be able...

I have watched a few videos that discuss using propane. From what I can see, it's mostly down to the user. Some guys get cuts that you couldn't tell apart from acetylene. Some guys get it cut, but it looks closer to just melted. This discussion has me planning to go ahead and switch. There...

Somebody check my math. I'm coming up with a 20 pound cylinder being about 150³ft. At 4 to 1, I would probably have to fill my 80³ft oxygen cylinder 7 or 8 times before the propane was gone.

Nope. If the guys at the scrapyard are using propane, there has to be some benefit from using it.

For propane weight to volume, 1lb of propane @ 60ºF is 0.24 US gallons, for liquid propane. 1 lb = 8.59ft³ for gaseous propane.

So all that I've read about more oxygen consumption is true, but more than likely the amount is exaggerated in my mind?

You're going to make. me pull the trigger on going with propane. There are too many reasons to do it. I don't think it's necessarily cheaper. The acetylene cost reduction would probably be made up for in oxygen costs. But there aren't any worries about withdrawal rates. The propane has multiple...

I can't say I was or wasn't given bad advice. While I was considering the best route to take, I was making phone calls to ask questions. I couldn't get an answer about prices or sizes of cylinders. Then I called one place that's based out of Hot Springs, and got some answers. Maybe that's just...

I've been told the largest owner cylinders in my area are 80³ft. I have a 75³ft acetylene, and an 80³ft oxygen. The oxygen is $24 for a refill, and acetylene is $48. I average about $100/ year using 2 oxygens and 1 acetylene. I only use them if I have some long cuts in 3/16 or thicker steel. A 4...

Newbie advice to newbie welders. Tuck in the strings on your hooded sweatshirt. One wrong move and it will get caught. Wear leather boots that are laced tight. Spatter will find its way into shoes. No holes in your pants (preferably jeans). Spatter will find the hole and make its way into your...

Ebay prices on various brands of E71T-11 look very reasonable. Since that's a formal specification they should all weld about the same, no? You made me look, and now my curiosity is getting the best of me. Ten pounds for less than $40 looks very interesting. I might have to try a small spool...

I would be swapping packets every other day.

I've found that the ammo box from Harbor Freight and moisture absorbers from Dollar Tree work wonderfully. I bought the ammo box with a tray and storage in the lid. It has a rubber seal on the lid that seals pretty good from what I can tell. I can fit a couple of 10 pound spools of flux core...

Congratulations winners.

My wife doesn't have a clue what I have or what I paid for it. It'll never make it in the house. I come in the front door, go out the side door, and into the garage it goes!!! If it's an online order, I beat her to the mailbox!!!

Believe me, once word gets out, you'll retire.

It was the husband that sold it. He said he bought the house and power outages were the norm. They stopped after he bought the generator. He was just getting rid of a lot of items that he had around the house. Basically cleaning out a storage shed. It was such a good deal that i decided to help...

Get off your butt. Use every avenue available to you. Take on a few small projects of your own to sell. That showcases your skill. I didn't have a clue how to weld anything 2 years ago. I started with a bunch of scraps making bar-b-q grills when I got my first welder in 2018. Now people buy...

I don't have a sign up and I get small jobs here and there. It's just word of mouth. If you have a sign out, you'll be swamped before you know it. It'll make you pull that sign down. The one thing I have discovered though, is that it doesn't make sense to pay anybody to do some things. By the...

I might have found some trouble. I ran across a Briggs and Stratton generator. 6250 running watts and 8500 starting for $150. I get it home and drain the sweet tea (gas) that was in it, and put in a little fresh petrol. The engine started on the third pull and purred like a kitten. The hour...

I'll buy used Everlast. That way I have a chance of the previous owner having the bugs worked out!!!

I think I'll stick with second hand. I usually get by pretty good like that. Welding is just a hobby to me.

Bed frames are OK. I've found that they can't stand much heat. Whenever I have had the arc too hot, the steel gets crystalline looking. The base metal will break away from the weld. I never really noticed anything as long as I was using the 70 amp wire welder that I started with. After I got a...

A friend let me use his once. They empty pretty fast if you do any cutting. They're fine for a little heating. I believe he told me they were about $30 to refill. When I did get an acetylene outfit, I decided to go with a 75³ft acetylene tank and 80³ft oxygen. Those 2 bottles are about $70 to...

I don't know if i would trust the gauges, but the cylinders are definitely worth something.

Small enough to take with me, and big enough to do 95% of what I want to do.

I guess I'm in a good place then. The welder was new in the box. The tape wasn't even broken. I was the first person outside of the factory to put fingerprints on it. And I'm 100% sure it's a transformer machine. The thing weighs about 50-60 pounds. So far it seems to be doing OK. I'm hoping it...

Something beats nothing. It's better than the warranty on my welder. I traded somebody an old pickup for it. If it croaks, I'm in trouble.

I don't remember exactly how the Arcone was set up. If I recall correctly, there was a switch that set the sensitivity. If I went to the lowest setting, and kept turning it would click to go into grind mode. But since it would go dark, I couldn't grind what I couldn't see. I never played with...

Only 2 months of ownership, and you have to pay for a round trip? I would think they would send a return label, and have you pay shipping to return if it's not covered under warranty.

I don't have that problem with my helmet. No grind mode to forget about. I tried to grind in it once. I couldn't see what I was grinding. Went dark at the first spark. The Arcone Carrera had a grind mode. Either I didn't know how to use it, or it didn't work very well. Dark at the first spark.

[ You can't put it past an animal what they'll try to eat. I've found that used engine oil will attract a wasp or 2. Then again, I don't know if they were trying to eat it. But I have found wasps in drain pans that contained oil if i didn't swap containers immediately.

I haven't gotten to the point where I worry about anything other than the price. I'm nowhere near a professional. If I don't get blinded, it's good enough for now. Whenever this one kicks the bucket, I'll step up to something a little more robust. I do know that even if the battery dies in an...

That's the key. Finding the entry point. Kind of have to sit up late at night to see where their travel routes are. They'll show you. As long as there isn't any access to water inside, they will go out for it.

The lower cost helmets usually don't have a replaceable battery from what I've seen. The Harbor Freight helmets are throwaways. I saw a YouTube video where a guy opened one up and soldered a new battery in. I tried, but gave up pretty quick. I had an Arcone Carrera. The whole filter is...

Small oxy-fuel bottles with probably a small rosebud. Wouldn't imagine a heating tip lasting too long with those bottles though.

This one https://www.imeshbean.com/product/imeshbean-solar-powered-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-with-49-13-shade-range-for-mig-tig-arc-professional-welder-mask-648.html?promote=helmet

I finally got around to cutting it. Filled with water and dumped some baking soda and vinegar in to produce carbon dioxide in hopes that would push out any oxygen. Cut a hole in the top where it was dented and had a pipe that was used to fill it. I guess it was an underground tank. Once the hole...

Just the coffee grounds. I had a mouse get in last year. I knocked it out in the laundry room and threw it outside thinking a cat would grab him, but it found its way back in. The next night I could hear it shuffling around in the kitchen. When I turned on the light it ran across the counter...

Peanut butter is the best attractant I have found. Coffee will bring em in too, but who wants to waste their coffee like that.

I agree. My first machine only costed me $40 and a little time and gas. It paid for itself a few times, and it was working when I sold it. I just wish I would've sold it to somebody that was going to pick it up and use it to learn or tackle their own projects. The guy that bought it still wants...

Don't worry. You'll get some action.

I know nothing. Hadn't touched a welder until a couple of years ago. Bought a 70 amp Campbell-Hausfeld for $40. Then watched a lot of YouTube videos and did a lot of reading, all while I was running beads on anything I could find. Then I ran into a Craigslist ad by someone looking to trade a...

When there's slag, you drag. With stick and flux core, you drag away from the puddle. It's basically using the arc to help keep the slag pushed back to lessen the chances of having slag inclusions. With MIG, you push with the arc going into the base metal with the puddle trailing. My uncle...

I believe it was a combination of different things giving me fits. I figured out the .030 is the way to go for me. I bought a roll of Hobart E71T-11 in .030, and tried it out today. I have more control over how hot I want to run it. I can slow the feed down, and still get it to weld...

I've never used any other brand besides Lincoln and Hobart. The first welder I got my hands on, the seller gave me a couple of pounds of Innershield and a roll of Hobart. I bought a pound of Lincoln, then somebody gave me 10 pounds of Hobart. Then the seller of the welder listed about 4 more...

I've looked at those too. Yet another reason I don't feel I need .035 wire. The .030 and .035 have a lot of overlap. Between .030 and .045, the range of my machine is covered. NR 211 MP in .030 and NR 212 in .045. I'll get some practice in sometime soon. A friend of mine had some scrap laying...

I've never bought anything but the Lincoln wire. Depending on what I'm welding, I can blow through with any diameter. CA_Bgrwldr was saying I should try increasing my voltage, and decreasing my feed speed to try to find a good fit for my slow travel speed. I think that would cause a burn...

No way to keep the spool on the machine out of the atmosphere. I don't weld everyday. I've started taking the spool off the machine. That's another reason I started the thread about what size flux core wires to keep. If I could keep .030 and .045, the ammo box would be able to hold a couple of...

It has to be true. I can't keep that small garage uncluttered for anything. First there was just a few tools and a lot of junk. So I threw some stuff out, and did a little organizing. The next thing I know, I have a lot of stuff that I can't/won't get rid of. Once I found some space, a lot of...

As slow as I move, increasing the voltage almost guarantees me a burn through. For whatever reason, with just about every recommended setting, the wire feed is a little slow for the voltage. It just won't feed consistently until I turn the feed speed up a little. The exception is tap E. I...

That's basically what I end up with. I let the puddle tell me how fast to move. I get a bigger bead size with .045 because I move so slow. The bead will be oversized with .035 too, but not as bad as with .045. I always drag, unless I have to get into an odd spot where it would be hard to pull...

Yeah, there are a lot of sites popping up listing high dollar items a LOT cheaper than the lowest price you've ever found. If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't.

I just use the door chart as a starting point, then get a piece of scrap to try the weld out on. Usually around 25-50 more IPM will give me the frying bacon. I've gotten used to giving a little more feed speed, so I just go a little higher and work my way down. I've read the spec sheet for the...

Stitch welds? If you're referring to a tack here, move, another tack, move, and repeat until all tacks meet, I very seldom even try it. The last time I did that, someone brought me a lawn mower with a busted muffler. After a few stitches, I said screw it and ran a quick small bead. As far as...

The only difference that I notice between them is how much filler gets laid down. Since I usually have a really slow travel speed, the. 045 makes a bigger weld than I really need. I usually run a little higher wire feed than what the door chart recommends.

It definitely helps to have the 10 pound spools. Just have to figure out how to keep this Arkansas humidity out of the wire.

I started with a 70 amp Campbell- Hausfeld a couple of years ago. Gave $40 for it, about 3 pounds of wire, and a Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet.

More than likely a 1 pound spool of the NR 211. That's about the price of a 1 pound spool at Lowes here. I prefer buying the 10 pound spools. It cuts the price per pound almost in half. I've noticed the wires weld different after they've been opened a while though. I'm assuming moisture pickup...

I have a Lincoln Pro Mig 180. I'm thinking that since I'm only running flux core for now, I need to keep .030 for thinner material and .045 for thicker (since I did go ahead and get the .045 kit). Don't really see the need to fool with any .035. I'm messing around with 10-16 gauge most of the...

Great idea, but I don't have the room. An 11x20 garage fills up fast. I guess it's getting close to the time for building a shed, or buying a house with more yard space.

I don't have any. I've had the same Craftsman Jack stands for the past 15 years probably. And they were probably made in the same factory that the Harbor Freight stands were.

More Jack stands recalled. SKU 56373. If you own 56371 56372 and 57308 (3 ton), 56368 56369 and 56370 (6 ton), or 56374 and 56375 (12 ton) you can return them if you don't feel safe.

A wire wheel on a grinder knocks a lot out pretty fast. A flap disc for cleanup. As I sit and think about it, that's the only way I've tried that works really well. I want to try the sand blasting with a pressure washer, but I don't think my pressure washer was up to the task. I forget why, but...

Yep, it was the wire. Switched to an unopened roll that I bought from the man that sold me my first welder (2 years ago), and it welds just fine. He's since switched to MIG with gas, so the wire's age is unknown to me. I guess I need to stop buying 10 pound rolls or get something to keep the...

I think the jitters are gone as far as cutting this tank is concerned. I think I'll cut it in half so I can make a couple of smaller mobile smokers.

??????

Ok. After checking out you guys posts and talking to a few people, the jitters are just about gone. I guess not understanding will make for a little nervousness. Fill with water (and some soap to help clean) and slosh around. The water is heavier than the propane, therefore purging any leftover...

That is awesome. Although I would drop the drain plug in, only to figure out later on that the screen was laying on the table.

I bought mine off Ebay. At the time, I needed the liner, roller, and contact tips. I'll get to shop around on the next purchase.

I don't have the slightest idea what the plan is. But it seems torch vs grinder and water... neither is the best choice.

Next county is a safe distance as far as I'm concerned.

I ran across an old propane tank that somebody was giving away. Wanting to try my hand at putting a smoker on a trailer, I couldn't let it pass. The only problem is, I don't know the procedure to cut it safely. I have an uncle that tells me to fill it with dish soap and water and go to town. A...

That stuff does lay down very good. I had some .045 212 on my machine in the process of making a bbq grill from a 60 gallon air tank. Thin material being welded. Probably nothing thicker than 10 gauge and that was the tank itself. Welds went in really nice. I just always end up putting more bead...

My dad sent me a link. Don't know why I took such an interest at this age but... I bought a 70 amp flux core only welder for $40 and just kept finding steel to practice on. I guess he took notice and sent me the link. No telling where he found it.

What about self shielding flux core wire (NR211, NR212) in a filing cabinet in the garage. I usually just buy a 10 pound spool. Never really noticed any problems with it as long as I had the little 70 amp Campbell Hausfeld welder. When I got my hands on a Lincoln 180, porosity everywhere. I...

I bought a Rage 2 a couple of weeks ago. Im just a hobbyist, and have never owned the abrasive chop saw. Anything that needed to be cut was cut with a 4½" angle grinder, so that was an upgrade for me. Im probably going to hate it after I wear the blade out. And it will happen sooner than later...

One day, I'm going to get the nerve to try one. But today, I'll leave it up to someone else

Great job. Motivation for me.

Lincoln Pro Mig 180. A beginner's machine for a beginner.