Materials I can weld for practice?

admin

I recently received a HF 90 amp flux core welder and wondering what metals I can weld with this set up. I was looking at scrap yard websites and they list metals that you can buy. So besides steel what can I weld with this welder and what material would be best to practice with. The website of the scrap yard I am looking at is listed below. Thank you for any advice given.http://iscrapapp.com/iscrap/pricing/4513#
Reply:16 ga mild steel - on a good day maybe .125 - find a good metal supplier - they have drop'slocal here 35¢ lbThe main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:Hello and welcome.All that machine will weld is steel, and you'll be pretty limited even with that. As mentioned 1/16" 16ga is about the thinnest you may be able to do because FC wire is a "hot" process. On the other hand, 90 amps output will limit you to 14 ga or a bit under 1/8" max..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:depends on your skill level  i have one of those machine that i use mainly for welding exhaust pipe 16g i believe. i am also able to weld autobody sheet metal with it but most cant. i wouldnt go over 1/8 with it tho  . if you switch to lincoln wire it will run pretty nice beads just have to clean up spatter bb's.
Reply:Looking at the site you posted, are you in NC ?  It would help posting your location. There maybe a member near you and could suggest some places.
Reply:Look around on garbage day for old bedframes.  However, don't expect stellar results, that welder is way under powered except for ultra thin metal.
Reply:Also, looking at the site your link takes you to:  That website appears to me to be hawking their desire for YOU to sell scrap metal to THEM, and then they sell their collection to larger brokers who eventually send the scrap to China.  From there the collected metal enters China's manufacturing industry and is ultimately sent back here as Harbor Freight wire welders.Do as previously suggested and visit some local (to you) metal fabricator shops and ask them for some of their "scrap" (aka drops).I have seen where some other members suggest that you offer the shops a swap deal where you will return the pieces you pick up at a later time and put it back into their recycle bin.  That way it is heavier (with your weld deposit) than when you first took it and therefore worth more to them when they sell it as scrap to the recycler.
Reply:Thanks for all the replies and advice. I found a different and smaller scale scrap yard after I posted the thread that seams to focus more on selling scrap metal and not buying. I realize the welder I have won't do much but it's fine for now while I'm just learning to weld and maybe making some ugly yard art. And I am in concord NC if anyone is around here that has any advice on where to get some metal to practice and mess around with.
Reply:'' And I am in concord NC ''.  You should add location to your profile.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1'' And I am in concord NC ''.  You should add location to your profile.
Reply:With your welder I try thrown out patio furniture. Most patio furniture is thin tubing an narrow pieces. Your machine wont be able to handle much more then that.PROUD   AMERICAN