does it say like 120 amp or something like that on the front. and more pics please open the side door and one from the rear.

 

LOL!!

Sorry, it had to be done!!

 

I knew it sounded funny when typing but hoped no body would catch it

 

Is this flux core wire, or solid?

 

Yes sir flux core.

 

I agree with COS gas is your friend. I prefer to weld with stick and you can usually find one on craigslist for a pretty good price. I got lucky with my job and we have welders all over the plant that I can use anytime I want or need one. You can also do a search on the net for welding tips. Youtube even has training videos for learning how to weld.

 

That's the same welder I have. Mine was ok with the thicker metal and flux core when I let my neighbor use it. It does quite well with sheet metal and gas. It's made by Clarke I believe.

Aaron

 

I have not welded much and most was with a stick welder but when using wire feed machines I have found that the ones using gas gave much better results.

 

the craftsman welder is made by clarke and they ok little machines, the flux is genrally used for heavier metals cause it can penatrate deeper,though it is somtimes a pain to get the nack of welding with it. using gas is more for sheetmetal and lighter materials with a small 110 light that and i think if i remember right that should be a 115 volt model.

 

Hi,

I agreed with you. Any way, your points of view make me thinking about some thing for my project.

Pls try to keep posting. Tks and best regards

 

biggest peice of crap IMO. i bet the main problem with it is that its amperage is way too low. i wouldnt trust it for anything over 1/16th. a buddy had that same one and we was comparing it to my hobart handler 140 and its highest amperage setting was lower than my lowest setting. he was having the same issuse with his as you was too. its just not a very strong welder especially with an extension cord. so he went out and bought a handler 140 off CL. thats just my take on the machine. go and get a real welder. i dont think craftsman really should be building welders and stick to the tools.

 

This link below can show more info, you can find them at: Welding job descriptions

 

How clean are you getting the steel? If it's not blingin' it's not clean. And what brand wire are you using? Cheap wire is not worth buying. The better brands are ones purchased from a welding or steel supply house. Check your ground contact, condition of tip.
and X2 on all else mentioned.

 

ok, that machine if you open the door, will have 2 screws holding down 2 thick wires, that is your polarity, if you are using solid wire make sure the wires are in the correct position, and vice versa for gasless (flux core)

i have a clarke 130 en, and i can weld 1/4 inch steel with flux core wire, that is basically the same machine. if you are welding 1/8th inch set it on about D-5 or 6.


if everything is set up correctly and it still won't penetrate, the rectifier could be burned up from someone over heating it too many times, welders do have a duty cycle (my clarke is 40% on full) meaning i can weld for 4 minutes out of every 10, anything over that it will blow the breaker because the machine gets too hot. the welder will not penetrate as much the longer you use it.

i hope i helped a little bit

 

if the forum doesn't get you the help you need. try going to the HARBOR FRIEGHT web ssite search welders and look into the "owners manuels" they give quite a explanation of welding with pictures.