Welding Help?
#487136
10/03/09 06:39 PM
10/03/09 06:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221 Branson, Mo.
joedust451
OP
super gas
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OP
super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Ok, i've realized i can not weld, either that, or the welder i bought isn't doing the job, i need help from any welders out there, i'm in a storage unit doing this, the only outlet is a 110, so thats limiting me to a wire feed flux, most migs are 220, i'm working with a roof "skin" that i've cut, but it seems the welder is too hot for this thin metal, i'll confess, its a low buck Chicago wire feed from Harbor Freight, am i trying to do the impossible, or will this welder work, it has high/low & on/off switch, & a knob for the feed, any an all help would be appreciated. The pix will give an idea what i'm up against. Am i going to need a Mig to do this job, i already have the skin from a donor roof cut & mocked up, seems like all this cutting went super smooth, but the welding is turning out to be a PITA.
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Re: Welding Help?
[Re: Youngblood]
#487139
10/03/09 07:38 PM
10/03/09 07:38 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,373 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
D_C
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,373
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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Agree with both of the above. Either have someone else do it (if you can afford) or find better equipment. Thin material is difficult to weld, burns through and warps unless you have equipment with very precise current control and experience helps too. Ideally, you would TIG weld it, but a good MIG welder and some practice could work for you. I was at the local Rental Equipment yard last weekend renting a Van Truck w/ lift-gate. In the office, I noticed they had portable MIG welders available for rent. Of course, I own my own welding equipment, MIG among it, but if I had needed it, I could have rented.
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Re: Welding Help?
[Re: DANIMAL41]
#487145
10/04/09 02:07 AM
10/04/09 02:07 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221 Branson, Mo.
joedust451
OP
super gas
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OP
super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Thanks for the tips, i'm very happy with this welder for what i paid, got it on sale for 79.95 (normally 149.95), then a customer gave me a 20% off coupon at the checkout, Harbor Freight honored it with the sale price (shocking), so it came to 63.xx, i got a 1 yr. warr. & the total was 80.xx, so i felt i did good, now when i brought it home, i tested it on the donor back panal, welded a soft washer on, it flowed like butter , i'm like damn, not bad, but now that i'm doing the skin, its getting stupid, so i can't blame the welder, i'm sure it'll work great with thicker metals, my extention cord is about a 60"fter, i may just have to find someone who will do it for a reasonable price, if not, i'll have to think of something, because i really need a 220 outlet for most migs, now HF has a true mig that runs off 110, its 189.00, but its "special order", & i'll most likely not see it till spring if i ordered it now, i'll try a thicker wire 1st, see how that does, this wire is pretty thin.
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Re: Welding Help?
[Re: Sub95]
#487147
10/04/09 02:44 AM
10/04/09 02:44 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,373 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
D_C
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,373
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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I buy all kinds of tools from Harbor Freight Tools, most of which I have been very pleased with, but as for their wire-feed and low end MIG welders, I wouldn't.
The quality isn't what it should be and repair/replacement parts are just not available. The poor quality of the units makes achieving good results near impossible.
I would suggest you do some close comparison between the HFT units, and Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart welders of similar rated capability. With welders, you do get what you pay for in quality, parts and operation.
If you can find someone that has a Name-Brand unit, ask if you can try it out; See for yourself how much easier it is to use and achieve better results.
Harbor Freight, in addition to their Chinese import brands, also sells Hobart Welders. That might be a consideration.
Another possibility, Professional Welding Supply Shops have their best annual discount "Sales" in December, the very lowest prices of the year, that is if you can wait a couple months.
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Re: Welding Help?
[Re: DANIMAL41]
#487149
10/04/09 11:27 AM
10/04/09 11:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,025 Las Vegas, NV
dodgeboy11
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,025
Las Vegas, NV
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Quote:
Heres a trick u might try, use a small diameter extention cord, I have a Craftsman 110 v welder useing flux core wire works like a charm on old chrysler sheet metal
I have to agree with everyone elses' assesment on the quality of the welder. I have to admit, when I used a cord that was too long and too small of diameter, my wire feed didn't work for crap. Don't know how much prep work you've tried on that roof yet but I know the metal HAS to be clean, no rust, oil or paint anywhere near where you're welding.
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Re: Welding Help?
[Re: dodgeboy11]
#487151
10/04/09 11:50 AM
10/04/09 11:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 189 Portland,OR
rjsjea
member
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member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 189
Portland,OR
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Good idea's above. I would look to hire the rest....that's not a first timers job there with multiple angle pieces around the window and not having the right equipment. Front glass and gasket needs to come out as well
BUT please remove the interior before you catch the car and yourself on fire!!!!!!
Last edited by rjsjea; 10/04/09 11:52 AM.
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Re: Welding Help?
[Re: 451Mopar]
#487153
10/04/09 12:00 PM
10/04/09 12:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221 Branson, Mo.
joedust451
OP
super gas
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OP
super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Quote:
The main problem is the flux core wire! The wire with the flux in it is too thick for the thin sheet metal. If your really careful you can weld with it, but it will want to burn through the steel alot. Use the gas shield and the thinner wire and you will love it. The welds will be much cleaner, and the thinner wire will reduce the chances of burn through.
When you say "gas shield", what are you reffering to, & you suggest a thinner wire?
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Re: Welding Help?
[Re: rjsjea]
#487155
10/04/09 12:20 PM
10/04/09 12:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221 Branson, Mo.
joedust451
OP
super gas
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OP
super gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,221
Branson, Mo.
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Quote:
Good idea's above. I would look to hire the rest....that's not a first timers job there with multiple angle pieces around the window and not having the right equipment. Front glass and gasket needs to come out as well
BUT please remove the interior before you catch the car and yourself on fire!!!!!!
Speaking of fires lol JK, i hear ya there..
i'm sure if i pull the glass, its going to pop, its in there good, & i had this happen before, even when a glass guy pulled one for me, it shattered to peices, i'm really trying to do this one on my own, the town i live in is a tourist town, its full of ripoff people to say it mildly, they take advantage of everyone & everything, i've come along way with what i've done in this project, call it "stubbern pride", but i don't want to feel it defeeted me, i've been there many time in other projects, i'm not going there with this one, & be at the mercy of someone i don't know to get the job done 'right" for a reasonable price, i don't like the feeling of being taken advantage of, i'll figure it out one way or the other, if i have to go gas, i will.
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