Need advise from welders

rodnocker

rodnocker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Location
Clayton NC
OK, here is my situation. I have a 2 car garage that I "tinker" in. I've swapped transmissions, replaced truck beds, gas tanks, doors, fenders and stuff like that. Now I am wanting to step it up a little. I love making stuff and I want to start doing a little fabrication. My truck is an 89 Ranger with a dana 28 in the front and a ford 7.5 in the back. I have no issues turning wrenches (well ok... I prefer my air tools) but I am going to need to weld to do these next two things, and I want to make custom bumpers for the truck eventually. Now I have a 120v harbor freight flux/mig welder (using as flux right now) that puts out about 75 amps and 10% duty cycle. I also have a pretty decent oxy/acetylene setup. I can weld decently. Once upon a time, I was a pretty good gas welder (25 years ago), so it shouldn't take to much to get practiced up with that. My question though, will gas welding work with things like welding spring perches on axles, fabricating brackets for either switching out the 28 for a 35 or going SAS? I doubt my mig/flux has the heat to do 1/4" steel. I know the first thing many are going to say it to save up and buy a bigger welder. 2 problems with that. First, power to my garage is already close to tapped. The lights in the house dim a little when my air compressor kicks in already. Second is finances. My daughter is in early college, my wife and I both work full time and are in college full time as well so I'm trying to work with what I've got.

While I would love to go out and buy a mig, a tig, a plasma cutter, tube benders and notchers... that just isn't happening in the foreseeable future so I need to know what I can safely weld with what I have. And if it matters, I'm not overly worried about what the weld looks like, as long as it's structurally sound.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
No, to much out of position work.


Get a $200 buzz box a/c stick welder. run 6011 & 7018 a/c specific rods.
 
FWIW I did a lot of the mods on my first Krawler with a Lincoln 100. Stuff like rocker guards, shock tabs, even spring perches. From your post it sounds like you have enough experience and knowledge to answer your own questions :driver:
 
i agree, i think duty cycle will be your issue. since the smaller welder can't push as much current you'd have to move the puddle a lot slower thus running into duty cycle issues. Most 110v 'can' weld 1/4"...but not quickly
 
I double checked when I got home. It's a Dual Mig 131/2. Amp settings are
25 / 100%
35 / 90%
50 / 45%
75 / 20%
I might be able to come up with 2-300.00 once I go to the scrap yard with some stuff I got around the house. what specifically should I be looking for?
 
You may be able to find a hobart 140 or similar around your price range used on CL. This would be much better for you that trying to use your current welder set up with flux-core. 1/4" would be feasible with the 140, slowly or multi-pass. I still wouldn't recommend anything too structural (ex:Link or coilover mounts), but you would be ok doing what you want.
Using what you have you could tack together with your mig and finish with the O/A, but that will be a royal PIA especially in tight places. You also have to be much more careful welding O/A for obvious reasons (open flames) and there will be more heat transferred (larger HAZ) which could affect strength or cause warpage. If you continue with the welder you have, keep the flux-core in it, it burns in hotter than 75/25 at the same current.

Or what Jeff B said and get a cheap Stick box, won't be pretty but you'll get the penetration.
 
I have a Hobart 140 and have welded a ton of structural stuff. If you are welding more tha 3/16, make a root pass then make a top pass. Be sure to watch your puddle closely for penetration. I have stalled a Warn 9500I on a bumper and shakle mounts that I welded on with my Hobart 140. Some of my welds may not be pretty, but they are deep. Welding is like sex. It is not as much about how it looks afterwards, it is more about the penetration during.
 
After looking at the stats on the Hobart 140, is the Hobart's 90amp 20% that much better than my 75amp 20%? Is spending 2-300.00 worth the 15 amp upgrade? I know bigger is better but my budget is tight. It took me about 2.5-3 months to get the money up for my oxy/acet setup (that was $400.00)
 
cant go wrong with a lincoln buzz box for good stick welding. those 7018s make nice beads too if metal is good and clean. a mig 140+ will do, It might be more money but its best to buy a tool 1 time. especially one with a good name. ive had some good HF items but its hit or miss. look on craigslist for good deals u can get used stuff too. youll be glad later if you spend the extra, esp since you are expanding
 
I actually ended up with a Century 160. I found it on Craigslist with 125cf tank, cart and Tweko gun for $375.00. Just got my 220 setup in the shop today and got to play with it a little. I really like it and I think it is going to do really well for now. At least until I can get this hobbie to bring a little money in instead of it all going out.
 
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