Just wondering..... Saw this on amazon, I haven't welded in years and only did a VERY LITTLE at that....... So I bought it to brush up on my welding skills... My question is.... I have evo gussets and artec axle trusses, is this welder good enough for that?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 using Tapatalk 2

 

I probably shoulda got the mig for $117 huh?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 using Tapatalk 2

 

I wouldnt do any axle work with a any 110v machine, let alone an arc welder. Harbor freight is running a promotion for their 220v 170amp mig for 169 bucks. Its what I bought after I outgrew my lincoln 110v and it is a fantastic machine for the money. Ive taken on a bunch of projects with it and it has excelled in everything ive thrown at it. I'm a little weary of any HF tools, but this machine is a great buy. Here is some of the work it can do on 1/4" material

 

Looks like it would do ok on thin metal but I don't see this getting hot enough for good penetraion on an axle or gussets. If you need to weld up your lawnmower deck it would do fine and it will be a cheap way to get back into practicing your welding skills. Have fun with it and comfort in knowing you didn't spend a bunch of money.

 

Since you already bought the welder, this is an excellent way to look at it.

You may have to run a higher amperage circuit for it, though.

 

The welder should be fine but you should try to using on the power cord it came with to plug into the wall only. Or you can go to a hardware store or whatever to buy an extension cord that has 10guage wire and is under 25ft long. You will lose amperage if u use a standard extension cord and if its longer than 25ft. Also try to get some scrap steel that is the same thickness as Ur gussests and practice with it.

 

Might do 1/16 sheet metal,with sheet metal rod,watch out for warpIf your duty cycle is not at least 50% or higher gonna be a long day.With a MIG,running on 220v,with a 80% duty cycle you can get something done,also use a gas for shielding rather than a flux

 

Thank everyone...... I had a feeling it wouldn't be good enough for the axles but it was cheap so I figured I could use it for learning..... Now if I get that mig too.....I don't need a gas tank right?

 

Correct, you don't NEED gas. I love my wire fed mig welder. It's a Lincoln 225 if I'm not mistaken, been a little while since I wiped the dirt off the side. I just use the wire, no gas. Someday I'll get a tank and start playing with Aluminum.

 

You dont need gas for a mig if you use flux core wire.

As far as the buzz box you bought thats a crazy price for a welder if it actually works. Make sure you read the directions and use the recommended rod. Also watch your duty cycle, I cant imagine it would be very high when the machine is cranked up hot enough to do any real welding. I would say as long as it gets hot enough to penetrate theres no reason not to use it.

Rob