Welding advice

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Soooo I’m wanting to get into welding (hobby not a new career path)

Just picked up a HF titanium welder 120/240

TITANIUM MIG 170 Professional Welder with 120/240V Input - Item 57864

Really just looking to learn how to weld mufflers and down pipes etc nothing to crazy. Also wanting to build a rocket stove and modify an offset smoker I have.

Any 1st timer advice or suggestions would be great. What’s a good welding helmet? Gloves? What flux core or welding wire are you using with good results? What size metal can I weld together on 120 vs 240 . What settings do what…

Anything helps!

 

[LaxDfns15]

Jumping on this for the same reasons. Going to HF and getting a welder (along with a few other things) is on my weekend to-do list. Recently upgraded trailers, and I want to put expanded metal on the sides.

 

[Insanity]

I am haveing really good results with the forney brand fluxcore wire that you can buy at ace hardware. Here is a test weld on some ¼ inch.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

I am haveing really good results with the forney brand fluxcore wire that you can buy at ace hardware. Here is a test weld on some ¼ inch.

What welder are u using?

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Jumping on this for the same reasons. Going to HF and getting a welder (along with a few other things) is on my weekend to-do list. Recently upgraded trailers, and I want to put expanded metal on the sides.

Heck yea man let’s learn together haha

 

[vincentw56]

I just got one too, but haven't started yet. Maybe I'll jump on it at the end of this month.

 

[Insanity]

What welder are u using?

A Hobart handler 125 I bought long time ago. Can do 110 120 and shielding gas.

 

[Rock Crawler]

I have a Hobart Handler 140 MIG and tinker a little, but need to take a class. There is a guy that is fairly local that teaches at his shop. I need to seriously look into that. I used the flux wire for a while and then recently converted to argon/co2. I have the Arcsafe auto dimming helmet from Harbor Freight. It has a lot of really good reviews. It works well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/101-sq-in-arcsafe-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-63749.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12189149028&campaignid=12189149028&utm_content=118673832122&adsetid=118673832122&product=63749&store=3096&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJWUmpgFY1MoVjyN1P2MepvbtKHd10oz-UhH0UP5vsoum6arjLVbOeRoChQYQAvD_BwE

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

I have a Hobart Handler 140 MIG and tinker a little, but need to take a class. There is a guy that is fairly local that teaches at his shop. I need to seriously look into that. I used the flux wire for a while and then recently converted to argon/co2. I have the Arcsafe auto dimming helmet from Harbor Freight. It has a lot of really good reviews. It works well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/101-sq-in-arcsafe-auto-darkening-welding-helmet-63749.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12189149028&campaignid=12189149028&utm_content=118673832122&adsetid=118673832122&product=63749&store=3096&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwyo60BhBiEiwAHmVLJWUmpgFY1MoVjyN1P2MepvbtKHd10oz-UhH0UP5vsoum6arjLVbOeRoChQYQAvD_BwE

I DONT THINK MY WELDER IS CAPABLE OF USING ARGON/CO2 AND THAT SOUNDS WAAAAY TO COMPLICATED FOR ME LOL. IM GREAT AT SOLDERING THINGS THATS WHAT LEAD ME TO WELDING HOPING IT WAS SIMILAR IN A WAY

 

[vincentw56]

I DONT THINK MY WELDER IS CAPABLE OF USING ARGON/CO2 AND THAT SOUNDS WAAAAY TO COMPLICATED FOR ME LOL. IM GREAT AT SOLDERING THINGS THATS WHAT LEAD ME TO WELDING HOPING IT WAS SIMILAR IN A WAY

Why you screaming at us? Use flux core and you should be fine. There is a lot of splatter, but you can upgrade to gas when you get better or need it. There's just more cleanup with flux core.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Why you screaming at us? Use flux core and you should be fine. There is a lot of splatter, but you can upgrade to gas when you get better or need it. There's just more cleanup with flux core.

my bad writing from my work comp. what the best way to clean up the welds after the fact ? just grinding it down smooth with a angle grinder?

 

[Rock Crawler]

I DONT THINK MY WELDER IS CAPABLE OF USING ARGON/CO2 AND THAT SOUNDS WAAAAY TO COMPLICATED FOR ME LOL. IM GREAT AT SOLDERING THINGS THATS WHAT LEAD ME TO WELDING HOPING IT WAS SIMILAR IN A WAY

That is the reason I bought the Hobart Handler 140. It‘s more versatile. If I need to throw it in the truck and go weld something, I don’t have to bring the cart, gas cylinder, etc. It just requires repositioning a couple of wires, swap wire and tip. Gas just makes a cleaner weld with much less spatter. Gas is not complicated at all. Just one more minor adjustment.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

any good youtube channels that someone can share to learn from?

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

That is the reason I bought the Hobart Handler 140. It‘s more versatile. If I need to throw it in the truck and go weld something, I don’t have to bring the cart, gas cylinder, etc. It just requires repositioning a couple of wires, swap wire and tip. Gas just makes a cleaner weld with much less spatter. Gas is not complicated at all. Just one more minor adjustment.

ahh i see. well if i get good at it one day and can justify spending more on a "hpbby" ill have to upgrade to argon/co2

 

[Rock Crawler]

Why you screaming at us? Use flux core and you should be fine. There is a lot of splatter, but you can upgrade to gas when you get better or need it. There's just more cleanup with flux core.

Agreed. Flux is cheaper to learn with.

 

[vincentw56]

any good youtube channels that someone can share to learn from?

DIY PRO has some really good ones. https://youtube.com/@-diypro-?si=CTVBvdTNB8YdQ7zv

 

[Rock Crawler]

any good youtube channels that someone can share to learn from?

Welding tips and tricks is a good channel.

 

[Rock Crawler]

You could check with your local community college. Some offer welding courses. Start with basic setup, safety, etc first.

 

[Rock Crawler]

my bad writing from my work comp. what the best way to clean up the welds after the fact ? just grinding it down smooth with a angle grinder?

Weld chipping hammer, wire brush and flap discs.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Welding seems very basic, but it’s actually very technical. A lot of things go into a good, safe weld. Proper metal prep, proper saturation without blow through, etc. You have to make adjustments to temp, wire speed, hand placement/movement, etc. All reasons I feel I need to go spend some time with someone who knows what they are doing.