Welding A Gurus, Please Step Inside

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Vettn71

Advanced Member

Jan 3, 2014

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Oct 15, 2016

#1

• Oct 15, 2016

• #1

Bought a 90A HF flux core MIG welder. Found it mostly burnt up sheet metal. It is probably okay for welding thicker metal, but 18 or 22GA, nope.

So, I just bought an Eastwood 135 MIG welder. Heard a lot of good feedback about them. Now I have something that can use gas to cool the weld, but I need a gas bottle. Eastwood recommends 75% Argon and 25% carbon dioxide, I think. Anyways, HF has carbon dioxide bottles for $100. My question, for now, is can I use that bottle for the shielding gas or do I need something else?

TIA

Jim

 

Davedacarpainter

Chicks can make things hard if they’re inspired...

SN Certified Technician

Nov 28, 2015

11,833

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Discordia

Oct 15, 2016

#2

• Oct 15, 2016

• #2

They'll work, but not last long. Find a local gas company that sells to body shops and the like and get a larger canister.

The gas just shields the weld area from the oxygen. I'm not a fan of flux core welders at all. Too much of a mess.

 

RaggedGT

Been here over a DECADE and still no CT

Mod Dude

Jul 20, 2014

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Taylorsville ky

Oct 15, 2016

#3

• Oct 15, 2016

• #3

Flux core burns HOT.. and the HF shielded wire is not great. I've welded mild steel a dozen times with one-but its ugly lol.. Nice buy on the Eastwood, is it a 110v unit?
Like Dave said,a gas supply house would be best, bite the bullet and get a medium sized bottle-it will last you a long time as long as your regulator is set and you remember to turn it off

 

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Boosted92LX

It's only an inch or two. What's the big deal?

15 Year Member

Dec 19, 2010

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Oct 16, 2016

#4

• Oct 16, 2016

• #4

Don't use straight 100% co2. For that machine you need the 75/25 mix gas. You can pick it up at any welding supply store.

 

Last edited: Oct 16, 2016

Reactions: Davedacarpainter

V

Vettn71

Advanced Member

Jan 3, 2014

273

154

74

Oct 16, 2016

#5

• Oct 16, 2016

• #5

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to check about where to get a bottle. The Eastwood welder is 110 V. I think it will do what I need. I'm not getting into building roll cages and the like. I was tired of burning up my sheet metal :0)

Jim

 

tannerc91gt

This last 25% is foreign territory at this point

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Oct 16, 2016

#6

• Oct 16, 2016

• #6

I actually like my HF flux core welder. It does run hot and it's definitely not as pretty but for quick jobs it's small and mobile. Works great.

I want a TIG welder still...especially now that @hoopty5.0 has had good luck out of his

 

hoopty5.0

mechanicus terribilis

15 Year Member

Dec 14, 2010

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Oct 16, 2016

#7

• Oct 16, 2016

• #7

My only complaint is not forking out the extra $$ for the next step up

 

HotFox

15 Year Member

Jan 5, 2009

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SE Michigan

Oct 16, 2016

#8

• Oct 16, 2016

• #8

hoopty5.0 said:

My only complaint is not forking out the extra $$ for the next step up

Click to expand...

So what did you buy? What do you wish you bought?

 

hoopty5.0

mechanicus terribilis

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Oct 16, 2016

#9

• Oct 16, 2016

• #9

HotFox said:

So what did you buy? What do you wish you bought?

Click to expand...

I bought the $180 lotos that won't do aluminum. The next level up will do aluminum and I think has a plasma cutter attachment and that's what makes me sad that I don't have.

 

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CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Birmingham, al

Oct 17, 2016

#10

• Oct 17, 2016

• #10

There's always more than one way to skin a cat.

lotos, longevity, and even eastwood are all very similar Chinese machines. i have had my combo 220v longevity tig/plasma cutter since 08, and now my 220v lotos mig/spool gun combo since last year. The tig wont weld aluminum, but the spool gun welds thick (1/8" or more) decently enough, so im not missing the fact that my tig doesnt accommodate it.

as for how they work, and if im satisfied, they both exceed my expectations and have never given me any grief

 

Last edited: Oct 17, 2016

Reactions: RaggedGT

V

Vettn71

Advanced Member

Jan 3, 2014

273

154

74

Oct 17, 2016

#11

• Oct 17, 2016

• #11

That's good to hear. I guess most everything is made in China. Depends on what specs it's made to.

Jim