I got a welder on a trade last night, it's either this one:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55167orhttp://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=98871I'll double check the part number when I get home. The thing is practically new, used maybe a few times. So I was playing with it last night and no matter what I set the wire speed to, it will come out, stop.......,then come out again. It's not consistent. Is this normal operation?Thanks for the help.
Reply:if it has chicago electric wire, pitch it and get .30 flux core wire from lowes or homedepot then get .35 tips also make sure the tension on the feed wheel in the machine is correct.
Reply:Originally Posted by mre_powersif it has chicago electric wire, pitch it and get .30 flux core wire from lowes or homedepot then get .35 tips also make sure the tension on the feed wheel in the machine is correct.
Reply:just a smaller wire not much different then .35 but .30 wire with .35 tip in flux core means you can go a bit longer before the flux buggers the tip up. ironically the chicago electric wire is MORE expensive , yet cheaply made. the stuff from lowes and home depot are Lincoln way better in quality.fyi my teacher from welding class said esab made the best wire. but i cannot substantiate that claim.Last edited by mre_powers; 02-25-2009 at 09:55 PM.
Reply:Thanks for the info, newbie trying to learn some welding just for hobby stuff.......thanks for the info...
Reply:Some other things to check are the wire roll tension and the wire tensioner. If either are too tight, the wire can slip, causing the feed issues you mentioned.
Reply:Fixed it last night, the tension was too loose. Actually there was no tension. So I got to play around last night for a bit. I dont like this flux it doesn't stick very well. Maybe I will try the flux from home depot.How do you change the nozzle? Does it just unscrew?Also do they make flux that doesn't have as much splatter as this stuff that I'm using? I'm using the roll that came with the chicago electric welder.
Reply:Yeah, I had meant to say "if the roll is to tight, or the tensioner is too loose". Glad you ID'd your problem. I don't use flux all that much. It does create a lot of splatter. You may want to invest in some anti-splatter spray. I'll help make clean up easier.A few things that will increase splatter are rust (need clean metal), being to far away from the metal and/or holding the gun at an extreme angle. Any of these could also be the reason for lack of penetration.
Reply:Thanks for the pointers. Where can I get the spray at? Does the spray go onto the metal itself?Sorry for the n00b questions, but I really don't know much about this and I've been wanting to learn for a long long time.
Reply
icked up mine at tractor supply.Spray: http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...&Special=falseNozzle Tip Gel: http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/...g=true&cFlag=1I'm sure you can find both at any welding supply store. And yes, I spray it on the surrounding metal. Have fun!
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThanks for the pointers. Where can I get the spray at? Does the spray go onto the metal itself?Sorry for the n00b questions, but I really don't know much about this and I've been wanting to learn for a long long time.
Reply:One thing not mentioned was the wire feed roller! It has two grooves of different widths,you need to use the right side of the tension wheel with the correct width groove or it will also either jam up or run loose!! If you do not have a manual,, just go to harbor freight site and find your machine,, the download the manual for it!! It will be on the bottom of the ad!!
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