Farmhand Mig/flux core welder for thin welds?

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Just a hobby welder here...Can anyone comment on the Tractor Supply Farmhand Mig/flux core welder-the Farmhand 115? I primarily need a unit that I can weld muffler and exhaust with. It doesn't need to have a high duty cycle,since most of the welds are very short for that work,so as to avoid excessive heating. Its other use would be for small tack welding and repair of thin sheet metal work (decorative metal work). I don't have much more than $300 in my budget,which is why I'm not considering the usual red or blue machines.I've already got a 220 stick welder from C-H. It's a great unit,but since it's a buzzbox I can't weld steel under about 1/8" with it without getting burn through. It's great for heavy steel,stainless and cast iron, and provides loads of penetration and heat when I need them.  So I don't need MIG for heavy fabrication-since I prefer my existing SMAW for heavy duty work.Will this small unit work for my limited needs? I noticed some earlier threads on it,but they all seem to focus on it's inability to weld thicker metal,which is not what I need it to do.thanks in advance,folks
Reply:Not sure about the welder you're looking at, but I welded some 16g just fine with my H140 @ 115V w/.030 wireHobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:It's a small lower output welder than your Hobart. Most of those do 135A output,IIRC? However I think that's a bit more overlap than I need,since I can already use the buzzbox down to 1/8" with few problems,even with my mediocre skills. The Farmhand/CH also has the virtue of being about $150 cheaper than anything Hobart sells.For you experienced welders: How much amperage will I need for the thin jobs? Can I get away with a box that does 40-70A output with only 4 heat settings,if I'm only sticking to jobs under 1/8"? This will probably be used as a flux core welder,until I can spring for a bottle. 90% of the use will be on mild steel from 18ga-1/8".
Reply:I don't know that welder but the specs are similar to some smaller Lincolns (like I have) so I think it will probably cover the thinner metal just fine to 1/8th inch, perhaps a bit more. When you get down to 20 gauge the flux-core will probably require a chill plate so you don't burn holes in the metal. Using gas (C25) and solid wire should fix that and maybe let you go as thin as 24 gauge.You can get more bang for your buck with a Lincoln Weld Pak 100 HD K2189-1 (not the Weld Pak HD K2188-1) at Home Depot for $340 and add a MIG kit later if you want ($75-100). A hair more power (up to 1/4" multi-pass), stainless and aluminum capable, excellent support, 3-year warranty, standard parts so a local welding supply can probably service it should the need arise, 8" spool capacity, electrically cold until the trigger is pressed, and better resale should you decide to get something else later.http://content.lincolnelectric.com/p...ture/e7350.pdfThere's also the used market and craigslist.Good luck!Last edited by Visorblue; 01-24-2007 at 08:07 PM.Warning: I have been wrong before!New small workshop, small MIG, oxyacetylene set with a DHC-2000 that I'm learning to use and really like. Life is good!Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Reply:A little more pracitise and you can weld exhaust pipe with that stick.  I done it for years until I got my mig's.  I didn't say it was fun laying under a car trying to stick it but with a little finesse it can look nice.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by littlefuzzA little more pracitise and you can weld exhaust pipe with that stick.  I done it for years until I got my mig's.  I didn't say it was fun laying under a car trying to stick it but with a little finesse it can look nice.
Reply:There's also brazing, which may or may not be an option for you. Good luck!If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirrelI've thought about the Lincoln WeldPaks,but they run about $200 more including the Mig kit. I'd like to get a used MIG like the Lincoln I learned with (borrowed),but I can't find any low-mid priced units for sale locally.
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirrelJust a hobby welder here...Can anyone comment on the Tractor Supply Farmhand Mig/flux core welder-the Farmhand 115?
Reply:[QUOTE=Squirrel]How did you do it?I've tried 1/16" 7014 welding vertical down, or as close to it as I can get on a piece of tubing, and still couldn't pull it off without instant burn through on the pipe. I can barely strike an arc when the welder's cranked down as far as it will go with that tiny rod. I haven't tried a backer plate yet,so maybe that would help if I can get one to fit in the pipe.1/8"  7018 between 70-90ampDewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:[QUOTE=littlefuzz] Originally Posted by SquirrelHow did you do it?I've tried 1/16" 7014 welding vertical down, or as close to it as I can get on a piece of tubing, and still couldn't pull it off without instant burn through on the pipe. I can barely strike an arc when the welder's cranked down as far as it will go with that tiny rod. I haven't tried a backer plate yet,so maybe that would help if I can get one to fit in the pipe.1/8"  7018 between 70-90amp