mpc Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 I am getting one of the little HF flux core welders as a gift from a friend. He got a better welder and has the HF “just sitting around.” It is one of the inverter welders that says it will put our up to 125 Amps (think it is the smallest one they make). Is it safe to assume that this will be enough for small projects using 3/16 angle iron, tacking billets, and attaching rebar to billets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 That is a safe assumption. Lots of great applications for making tooling, stands, etc. Don't trust it for anything that will have to withstand significant structural load (e.g., the frame of a hydraulic press). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Should be good for billet tacking and handle welding. As cautioned; I would not want to use it for structural welding or trailers! (Shoot I don't want to use *me* for structural welding or trailers!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 Practice practice practice. Sometimes those lesser welders can work pretty well when you learn how to work with their foibles. In the realm of desktop CNC they say something which applies here too: You actually have to become a BETTER machinist when you have one because you learn to overcome their shortcomings via proper planning, programming, etc. to cover for the machine's issues. When you have a great machine, the machine covers up all those pesky details for you. So learn to make your hoopty sing...it might serve you well. That means taking the time (and frustration) to practice with it. You finally have an excuse to use all those little scrap pieces which aren't useful for anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpc Posted March 10, 2020 Author Share Posted March 10, 2020 4 hours ago, Kozzy said: When you have a great machine, the machine covers up all those pesky details for you. I’ve see this as it applies to grinders. I met someone at a family thing who has been making better knives than I could hope to make for years with a 1 x 30 from HF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 I used HF 1x30 to make and sell blades for a while before I saved enough for my Bader B3 (one rule about hobbies is that they have to pay for themselves around here) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 10, 2020 Share Posted March 10, 2020 I have one of these little HF 110 Flux Core welders and I love it! As long as the washing machine isn't running, the breaker doesn't trip and I've yet to run up against the duty cycle yet (which is more about my stop and start welding than the welder!) Great for small jigs and fixtures that I'd previously bolted together. Buy an extra 1 pound spool of wire and plan on burning thru a whole roll to get the hang of these little guys. I've stuck 1/4 inch plate together with it. Took a couple of passes, grinding the welds between and the flux core is almost as messy as stick welding, a can of anti spatter is your friend. The best part is not having to stop a project, gather everything up and get to a "real" welder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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