Help for newbie

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Greeting all, So I have the HF 80 amp DC stick welder. A bought it for several reasons, one being I have some vision issues, I have a defect and I'm basically blind in you eye. So depth perception is an issue. So I needed to find out if I could if I could see to weld. So far so good. I also wanted to learn and practic cheap. I have been fumbling around for about a week or so, bought the wrong rods sever times then I found the rods at HF 40-70 amp E6011 for practice. Should I be electrode in DC - ?Is E6011 the best rod to learn on? Can anyone tell me what exactly I need to buy to TIG weld with this welder. I bought an auto darkening. Helmet, but I think it's getting too dark?Thanks in advance, I'm taking a clas but not till October. So I'm trying to learn all I can on my own, is suggestions on on line or books to help.ThanksTim
Reply:Hello and welcome.Stick is mostly done DC + though some rods can be run DC+ or DC-. Running DC - usually gives you less penetration and is used some times to try and weld thinner metal.As far as using 6011 to learn on, it's possible, but I prefer to teach with drag rods like 7014 vs 6011. 6011 tends to weld a bit different than other rods and many have some issues learning with it. You almost never get as pretty a bead with 6011 as you do with rods like 7014. 7018 and 6013.As far as tig, look at this thread, it covers the basics of what you need.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-Welder-PeopleOn the auto dark helmet. I've worked with dozens of people who have had issues with cheap AD hoods. The optics are fairly poor and it makes it very difficult to see well. One big thing I noticed last Tuesday when I handed a student my Miller hood and used his HF AD hood was how much extra back light came in thru the HF hood. On top of the mediocre optics, the back light that came in was very distracting. He however immediately noticed how much better he could see with my hood. "good" hoods don't have to cost a ton of money. My fixed shade manual Jackson hood has optics just as good as my $300 Miller. You can get moderately decent AD hoods for between $100-150 depending on the brand. You can't weld if you can't see well. I'd go with the best optics you can afford..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks for the info, I had a hard time getting the recommended 3/32 rods. I tried Home Depot, they had them, but something like 70-125 amps, so I got them, had a lot of trouble, so I visited Praxair (Old Fowler Welding) they sold me some after asking half the staff, same problem, 70-125 Amp. Then I found 1/16 rods in a Home Depot on the other side of town. 20-40 amp e6011. They work much better with my little welder. As luck would have it, I learned the local HF sold the 3/32 rods and they are rated for 40-70 amp. Right in the capasity range of my welder. And I do better with them. By the way my 19 year old son is learning with me. So the question is, every chart I read gives amp ranges for 3/32 of 70-125, I thought that was a "standard" based on the rod thickness? Where can I find other types of rods that have the lower amp range that will work with my 80 amp welder?I know I have a cheap welder, but I see guys on YouTube doing some nice looking work with them. Did I make a mistake buying this welder. I never use HF anything because I like quality tools. TimPS I'm a Park Ranger by trade, years ago I was an HVAC tech, used torches to braze, and I have always wanted to learn how to weld. My son and I are going to take a class in September, and I just want to learn all I can before then. As for my interest in TIG I feel from watching and researching that as a guy who brazed, I would pick that up faster, and that's why I bought the HF inverter welder.
Reply:not sure what part of the country you live it, but Tractor Supply Company (TSC) has a pretty decent selection of welding rod (Hobart).Also, Northern Tool would probably have, or can order, you what you want.TSC would be your best bet if you have one locally.  can't speak to your welder ... don't imagine it is any worse than my old Linde AC230, though.
Reply:Each company makes it's rods a bit different. Even different 7018 rods from Lincoln will run at different amp settings. the only way I know how to check is to look at different brands. I think some one here recently posted up that the settings for some of Hobarts 3/32" rods were lower than what I'd have thought them to be, so I might start there.As far as if this was a "bad" purchase, I wouldn't say that. However I wouldn't have recommended one either. Most 110v units simply don't have the required output. Those few that do a bit better cost a fair amount more. The TA 95S is probably the best bang for the buck in a small 110v machine, but even then 3/32" rods are only mid line at best with most brands. Top quality units are better, but they are significantly more money and even then they usually weld much better off 230v power vs 110v ( these units are dual voltage and can run off either voltage).If you are looking for a good inexpensive stick welder, you can't beat an older used transformer machine. The Ac only units are dirt cheap, especially the "off brand" ones made for Sears and Montgomery wards and so on. Most run $50-150 used. They are all tanks and almost never go bad. The AC/DC ones cost a bit more, say starting at $250 to $700 depending on the unit. They will run 3/32" rods no problem off a 30 amp 230v dryer outlet with an extension cord and if you feed them the full 50 amps they easily run 1/8"+ rods.It's nice you and your son want to learn together. You might look into a night class at a local high school or CC. When you add up what materials, electric, rod and so on would cost you, not to mention the instruction, a class is usually stupid cheap. You might also add your location to your profile so we know where you are located at. It helps with the "where do I find" type questions..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Well that's what we are doing. I can't go full time so we are going to an apprentice training. It's a hands on 8 month class two nights a week. At the end of the8 weeks students go to the college psav welding apprenticeship program, work in the field then continue classes two nights a week. He will do that, I will look forward to him supporting himself one day. Unless I get the bug to change careers late in life. However it does not start till October. None of the local schools have welding any longer. Shame. I live in a townhouse, but I have a 220 outlet on my patio. So I might just get a 220 arc welder. Or MIG welder. I can't make anything larger than my screen door opening :-/ I'll update my profile. Thanks again. Tim
Reply:A couple of weeks ago, Somebody down in Florida posted an old Forney AC welder for $50???
Reply:A couple threads about the HF inverter and electrodes:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ter-Arc-Welderhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-Rod-Selection"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Follow up questin The HF 80 Amp DC welder:Says on the machine I can weld (stick) up to 3/16 plate. Is that true?Second Northern Tool sells a torch (TIG) that is for their 110v dc arc welder, looks to me like I could just plug it in and go? Is the TIG set up capable of welding 3/16? What limitations would I have as far as thickness ?Is Northern tool the same as HF or any better quality wise?I know I need argon tank regulator and connectors to use the torch. There's a Northern tool about 30 miles away and I going to buy a welding table, since I'm not sure I can make one yet. So I was thinking about getting the tig torch when I go. Thanks Tim
Reply:Also I updated my location, should anyone be close and want to do some hands on?
Reply:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...tt=Tig%2BtorchHere's the torch.
Reply:3/16" is probably generous on stick, but doable. With only 80 amps, stick selection will be critical to getting 3/16" done well. 6011 would be my 1st though as it tends to burn in deeper than other rods and runs at lower amperage's. some of the 6013's might work. Check suggested amperage's on the boxes.  3/32" rods will be pushing it. Those machines run better with 1/16" or 5/64" rods. the amp range on those sizes are better suited to the machines range.Tig, rule of thumb is 1 amp per .001". So with 80 amps, you could theoretically do .08" material or about 14 ga, maybe 3/32". Anything else is beyond the power of that machine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks, I know manufactures tend to up sell their products. Did you take a look at the torch I was considering?Thanks again
Reply:Torch looks like a standard 17 style torch. I can't say whether it will be a direct plug and play with that unit or not. My biggest question is how the gas hookup is on that torch. If it's designed for gas thru dinse, you may need to get a different dinse adapter. If it has a solid dinse and the gas goes straight to the flow meter, it should work fine. My guess is since it has the gas valve, that it's not a gas thru dinse, since most of those units tend to use solenoids for gas vs gas valves on the torch.Looks like you still need to add the flow meter to get this to work.Price wise, I'd have to dig some more. I can't recall off the top of my head what a similar CK torch and dinse would set you back. I'd guess this is less, but the quality is lower. No big deal with something like this..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Well worth spending a few extra shekels on a good welder. Not sure about the HF stick welders though. I had a HF Mig 180 and my beads were coming out terrible. The gun started leaking gas too. Turns out the valve inside the gun was bad. Took it back for a refund. Went out and bought the Lincoln Pro Mig 180 from lowes. Started welding the next day and my beads instantly improved.  Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLincoln Pro Mig 180HF Stick/Tig Inverter WelderLincoln AC225s
Reply:I will get quality equiptment soon, I just needed to know my vision would work as I am basically blind in one eye and at times can have depth perception issues. My brain has found work arounds for most things, but as you welding requires depth perception in less than ideal conditions. Now that I know I can do it, I'll make the best of what I have until I take a class and start putting things together.