I don't have a clue

[kevinnewbetomig]

I am considering purchasing a 90 Amp-AC, 120 Volt, Flux Cored Welder

from Harbor Freight to use in restoring a 1974 super beetle. The metal is thin. This welder uses 0.030in & 0.035in Flux core wire. Can anyone advise me if I'll be able to use this welder on my project. I have done some welding back in High school but, that was several years ago. I thank you in advance for any advise given.

 

[norlander]

Unless you have to work outside, I would get a set to take gas, and use 0.6mm wire. Flux core tends to run hotter, gives off heavy smoke and fumes, and needs more clean up than gas shielded.
If you clic on MIG on the green bar at the top, you will get the forums overview on the MIG process.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Another vote for not using gasless, it's not nice and makes the task more difficult especially on car bodywork.

 

[kevinnewbetomig]

Unless you have to work outside, I would get a set to take gas, and use 0.6mm wire. Flux core tends to run hotter, gives off heavy smoke and fumes, and needs more clean up than gas shielded.
If you clic on MIG on the green bar at the top, you will get the forums overview on the MIG process.

I have to work outside because my garage is small and connected to my house also I have to consider price. I don't restore a lot in fact this my first attempt.

 

[kevinnewbetomig]

I have found a mig that uses gas close to my price range Lincoln Electric 120-Volt MIG Flux-Cored Wire Feed Welder. You will be hearing more from me in the very near future as I begin welding......lol

 

[kevinnewbetomig]

But I have found a welder in my price range.Lincoln Electric 120-Volt MIG Flux-Cored Wire Feed Welder at lowes ,after searching the web that does use gas. Thank you for your advice you guys.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Yes according to the literature it has polarity change function for gas welding.

I don't know what it is like over there for gas supplies but try to avoid the small disposable bottles, they don't last very long and can be difficult to set the flow rate of 8 to 12 lpm with any accuracy.

A larger bottle bought outright or on hire may seem more expensive but in the long run should work out many times cheaper, especially if you are learning before tackling the restoration.

Don't try to learn on thin steel, get some 2mm at minimum and 3mm if possible bits of scrap, clean them up with a grinder and use those to get used to the feel of the torch, speeds and settings etc, progressing to thinner scrap once you feel ready.

If using gas outside then pick your day or/and use a wind breaker (simple frame with sheeting) to avoid the gas shroud being dispersed and affecting the weld, you may have to up the flow rate of the gas to 15 lpm if working outside.

 

[kevinnewbetomig]

Thank you for the info. I will be working on my car today. I won't be welding tho. That has to wait. When I start I will let you know how it's going. I'm really impressed on how fast the replys come with good advice.

 

[cumbriasteve]

The members would really enjoy following your project, we have many doing similar, some details and pictures would be great if you have the time to start a project thread in the automotive section.

 

[norlander]

I f you have to go fluxcore, I have heard that the Lincoln wire is very good. I have no experience of it though, its always sold out when I try to get it over here.
The Lincoln sets are well respected, so you did well to go for a Lincoln. Lincoln has online support and advice.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-how-to/Pages/welding-how-to.aspx you find a tutorial there on thin metal.

 

[Appyasme1]

Another vote for not using gasless, it's not nice and makes the task more difficult especially on car bodywork.

I cannot understand why members a taken in by gas less wire

 

[arther dailey]

I use gas outside , just like has been said use some bits of board etc as mini wind breaks, just to keep draft out.obviously on a windy day you will have to time your welds between gusts. works for me. Arther

 

[norlander]

cannot understand why members a taken in by gas less wire

Its a recognised process , I used it when working outside on security grilles, I've seen it being used up on structural steelwork, I think its used in shipbuilding as well??. The process (for me personally) covers the gap where MMA can be too much, and its faster to tack up and assemble than MMA, but more clean up is required, but thats offset by the speed.
Trying to run with gas outside can result in frustration and some grinding out.Gas shielded outside is not impossible as arther says, but it depends what you are doing and where. For car work, I would imagine you can rig up windbreaks.
For what I was doing, erecting wind breaks was not possible.
Secondly, the absence of a gas bottle makes the equipment more portable.

https://www.millerwelds.com/resourc...rsus-flux-cored-wire-when-to-use-them-and-why

 

[arther dailey]

agree with that, horses for courses......

 

[HughF]

everlast power i-mig 140 is probably in your price bracket and is well regarded that side of the pond. Depends how you feel buying import... Forget fluxcore for bodywork. It is however the backbone of your structural steel industry (iron workers etc), lincoln NR-232 etc

 

[Richard.]

I agree with Appy, it's an awful way to start out especially for beginners as results never really look good. It sticks bits together but that's about it. It runs a bit hotter than shielded Mig but there ain't a lot in it as don't forget the polarity is reversed for gas less meaning pen is reduced slightly. That aside its fumey, spattery, and prone for slag traps.
If going gas less invest in a good grinder and plenty of wheels to take down the mess.

 

[Richard.]

everlast power i-mig 140 is probably in your price bracket and is well regarded that side of the pond. Depends how you feel buying import... Forget fluxcore for bodywork. It is however the backbone of your structural steel industry (iron workers etc), lincoln NR-232 etc

Very different type of flux core that Hugh

 

[norlander]

Kevin, I suggest you contact Lincoln, Miller and Eastwood companies for further advice, as being American, they will have a "can do" mentality not the can't do approach sometimes shown on here.

I have used 0.9 fluxcore on 0.8 sheet metal, no problems.
You need a grinder anyway, fluxcore or gasless, because for your car you will be grinding the welds flush for some bits.
If you do any heavier outside work later with fluxcore (I use 1.2mm stuff) clean up is easy with a wire brush on a grinder
For some jobs, the fluxcore "shroud" set up is best, and gives better access, for some jobs, a standard shroud is better, or one cut out for spot welding, your welding suppliers will advise.

Fluxcore torch set up


Over here we have a bug called a bumblebee, scientists and engineers calculate it can't fly-it does because no one told it it can't. If I can weld ok with fluxcore, you can too, go make your (VW) bug fly buddy.

 

[Cobbler]

I agree with Norlander, gas-less wire is by no means ideal, but it can be done. I used it years ago cos that was what was in the welder & I had no access to gas. It wasn't great & yes it burns hot & makes a lot of smoke, but if that's what you've got, try it. I wouldn't use it for preference, but if that was all I had, I'd use it.

I put inner & outer sills, (rockers I think you call them) on a Vauxhall (GM) Chevette with it years ago, I don't think you would have had the same Chevette over there, but you don't get much thinner than those. It passed test for several years after so it must have been ok.

I would not buy a welder that was only gas-less though as your options are limited, I think you would soon find that you wanted to move on to doing nicer welds & less grinding & cleaning up as you progress with your project.

 

[norlander]

I put inner & outer sills, (rockers I think you call them) on a Vauxhall (GM) Chevette with it years ago, I don't think you would have had the same Chevette over there, but you don't get much thinner than those. It passed test for several years after so it must have been ok.

That was good going cobbler. Quite a challenging job, I had the use of a Chevette.