Flux Core / current vs material thickness

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I have never welded, but tired of bugging the neighbors, so I have pretty much decided on a 115v Flux Core welder just to fix little things that break around the house.How is it that something like a Century FC90 with 90 amps is advertised up to 1/4 inch and something seemingly more powerful like the Yeswelder 135 with 135 amps is only rated to 5/32?How can less current weld thicker material?
Reply:It can't most of those 120 volt flux core welders over promise and under deliver. The ratings are frequently inflated.
Reply:Plan for closer to 200 amps if 1/4 is really what you are chasing. It can be done with less but it better to have more than you need.
Reply:What does weld mean?  The harbor freight titanium version of the fc90 will surely burn into some 1/4”.  It will burn holes in 1/8”.  Have not tried to burn up 1/4.  I have welded it though.  Last weekend. I pulled mine out for the first time since testing it a few months ago.  Welded 3/16 to1/4.  Cannot answer your question, about weld thickness difference.  But if you have a steady diet of heavy welding then look at duty cycle too.  Ironically, I was in top a building watching a crew getting ready to weld / secure some joist hanger tabs with an fc90.  1/8 tab to 3/4 flange.  I did not stick around for the results.  Any hope somebody can speak on the Yes welder.  The price is right on it.I was welding off an old generator with 20amp input.Last edited by tapwelder; 4 Days Ago at 10:55 PM.
Reply:Just looking to fix things like the mower deck, etc. nothing planned, just little things that seem to break now and then.
Reply:

Originally Posted by tapwelder

Any hope somebody can speak on the Yes welder.  The price is right on it.I was welding off an old generator with 20amp input.
Reply:Further to what Oscar said, the HF Titanium EZ Flux 125 (the green one) actually got really good reviews. a 120v flux core only welder will never be my cup of tea, but if that changes I would look hard at the HF unit. I was surprised at the glowing review. They advertise 18 gauge to 3/16 in. thick. I personally wouldn't use one on anything thicker than 1/8th inch.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I agree with Louie1961 It can't most of those 120 volt flux core welders over promise and under deliver. The ratings are frequently inflated
Reply:It's kinda funny how a lot of the cheapie import welders proliferating the market are way under-powered compared to what they say they will do, but I've actually seen a couple that do put out the beef (measured), and they specifically mention that theirs is actually accurately rated; so it seems someone is keeping an eye on what people are saying about them online.   They're not all that efficient and will draw large amounts of current, whether on 120V or 240V,  and granted these are mostly the cheapie inverter stick welders, but any progress is good progress.

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Reply:22g - unlimited thickness: my favorite range listing for cheaper welders

Capacity of a welder can vary greatly depending on welding position, joint type and orientation, joint prep, and if multiple passes are included.  Basically the cheaper welders usually give you the absolute best case (rarely possible in the real world) scenarios, where as usually the bigger brands (that have a brand reputation to uphold and protect aka they will lose money on people thinking of them as liars) give you a more truthful rating.  Every company is different and many fall between those two extremes.The general advice for welders is get the biggest you can logically afford (money, space, and use).  If buying really low end (very low budget) returns/refunds/warranty policies should be a top priority and deal breaker if not met.Last edited by SlowBlues; 1 Day Ago at 01:20 PM.
Reply:

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

... If buying really low end (very low budget) returns/refunds/warranty policies should be a top priority and deal breaker if not met.
Reply:it seems like the latest round of 110v IGBT DC Inverter flux core welders generally get very favorable reviews.Everything I've needed welded lately has been done by neighbors with an older, lower power (90a) HF 110v transformer flux core welder, and that has done just fine, so the newer more powerful inverter should meet my minimal needs. I ordered it the other night and have been getting consumables, tools and safety equipment over the past week. I went with the Yeswelder Flux 135. They made some changes earlier this year to include a detachable mig gun, and it comes with a 1yr factory warranty. I ordered both 030 and 035 wire to see which performs better. https://yeswelder.com/collections/we...ig-welder-135aNew Question:I live in Alabama's gulf coast, very humid and wet climate. It sounds like FC wire does not like humidity and other than using the welder to learn for a few days, I don't see myself using it more than once or twice a year at most.  What is the best way to store FC wire? Is bringing it in the house with AC fine, or should I vacuum seal it?
Reply:

Originally Posted by JCoastie

... I live in Alabama's gulf coast, very humid and wet climate. It sounds like FC wire does not like humidity and other than using the welder to learn for a few days, I don't see myself using it more than once or twice a year at most.  What is the best way to store FC wire?
Reply:good advice on the ammo can, didn't think of that, thanks.
Reply:

Originally Posted by JCoastie

I have never welded, but tired of bugging the neighbors, so I have pretty much decided on a 115v Flux Core welder just to fix little things that break around the house.How is it that something like a Century FC90 with 90 amps is advertised up to 1/4 inch and something seemingly more powerful like the Yeswelder 135 with 135 amps is only rated to 5/32?How can less current weld thicker material?
Reply:Holy chit. WNY Tom is back. I thought you gave up the ghost...

Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.