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Old 02-18-2015, 06:50 PM
  #871  
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Never welded before, but looking to pick it up and learn, the bumper definitely won't be one of the first things I do, I plan on a lot of practice and little projects before that. Plus I wouldn't mind meeting up with some people that actually know how to weld, and picking up some tips from them besides just learning stuff by reading and YouTube.
Old 02-19-2015, 09:04 AM
  #872  
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Watch youtube videos. SO much good info for us beginners.
Old 02-19-2015, 09:40 AM
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i have a really nice 140a lincoln 110v welder. it's the 140c from a welding shop and i wouldn't use it for anything more than welding up exhaust and body panels.

if you're building a recovery bumper, you need to use at least 180a 230v machine with good penetration. last thing you want is your welds to pull free and have a flying projectile heading towards injury.

i have a 210a thermal arc fabricator for any bumper/suspension or cage work.
if i feel i need a heavier bead, i will fire up the lincoln ranger dc stick welder.

i have yet to use my tig for anything on the jeep yet.

so even if you just grab a home depot lincoln 180, use that and nothing less.
the better the welder, the better the welds.
Old 02-19-2015, 09:49 AM
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Has anyone ever repaired an auto darkening helmet? I have a TSC Ironman and seems if the batteries are dead/won't charge. Did a Goog search and only found referance to a HF hood. It mentioned a little rewire and adding a small battery pack, such as 2 AA or maybe it was AAA.
Old 02-19-2015, 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by caged
i have a really nice 140a lincoln 110v welder. it's the 140c from a welding shop and i wouldn't use it for anything more than welding up exhaust and body panels.

if you're building a recovery bumper, you need to use at least 180a 230v machine with good penetration. last thing you want is your welds to pull free and have a flying projectile heading towards injury.

i have a 210a thermal arc fabricator for any bumper/suspension or cage work.
if i feel i need a heavier bead, i will fire up the lincoln ranger dc stick welder.

i have yet to use my tig for anything on the jeep yet.

so even if you just grab a home depot lincoln 180, use that and nothing less.
the better the welder, the better the welds.
X2
Old 02-19-2015, 03:19 PM
  #876  
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Hmm it appears I need to do some more research. So pretty much a 140 is useless?
Old 02-19-2015, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Basslicks
Hoping some on here have some experience with FCAW. I have a cheapo 90 amp flux welder. I've heard from several sources that a better wire can make quite a difference with it.

Please don't make suggestions like "get a better welder" or "go get a MIG". Obviously if I could do that, I'd have done it by now.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on good brands of flux-core wire? I've heard good things about Lincoln Electric wire. I've heard the Hobart wire is "okay". I heard INE is a good wire made in Italy, but then someone said that Chicago Electric (harbor freight) branded wire is made by INE so I have my doubts.

Maybe I'm in the wrong thread with this question, but even you hardcore welders weren't awesome on the first arc.
Lincoln wire made a big difference in my little 90 harbor freight welder
Old 02-19-2015, 04:10 PM
  #878  
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Originally Posted by 91WhiteXJ
Lincoln wire made a big difference in my little 90 harbor freight welder
I've also heard that upgrading the ground clamp can help also. My friends and I have a community HF welder that we pass around and have done a few projects with but haven't upgraded it yet. Next time I need it I plan on getting Lincoln wire and a good ground clamp.
Old 02-20-2015, 06:15 AM
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I plan on upgrading both the clamp and the ground cable to my HF 170a.
Old 02-20-2015, 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by DEMon357XJ
Hmm it appears I need to do some more research. So pretty much a 140 is useless?
For Jeep building, buy the biggest welder you can afford.
Old 02-20-2015, 05:50 PM
  #881  
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Makes sense. I'll probably try to find the best deal I possibly can on a larger unit or ideally a dual unit would be perfect. Thanks for the help guys
Old 02-21-2015, 03:58 AM
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Originally Posted by 91WhiteXJ

Lincoln wire made a big difference in my little 90 harbor freight welder
Originally Posted by kickice24
I plan on upgrading both the clamp and the ground cable to my HF 170a.
Thanks guys. This does help. Definitely plan on upgrading the clamp soon
Old 02-21-2015, 10:45 AM
  #883  
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Originally Posted by DEMon357XJ
Hmm it appears I need to do some more research. So pretty much a 140 is useless?
My 135 ended up being useless for all my Jeep needs. 3/16 & 1/4 were impossible. Welds fine on 1/8. I have to borrow my buddies 180 all the time.
Old 03-01-2015, 08:09 PM
  #884  
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getting better! this is with our lincoln 180 220v we have at work

Welding thread!!!!-2015-03-01-16.52.31.jpg
Old 03-01-2015, 10:32 PM
  #885  
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Originally Posted by Basslicks
Hoping some on here have some experience with FCAW. I have a cheapo 90 amp flux welder. I've heard from several sources that a better wire can make quite a difference with it.

Please don't make suggestions like "get a better welder" or "go get a MIG". Obviously if I could do that, I'd have done it by now.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on good brands of flux-core wire? I've heard good things about Lincoln Electric wire. I've heard the Hobart wire is "okay". I heard INE is a good wire made in Italy, but then someone said that Chicago Electric (harbor freight) branded wire is made by INE so I have my doubts.

Maybe I'm in the wrong thread with this question, but even you hardcore welders weren't awesome on the first arc.
I don't have a ton of experience with FCAW, but preheating the parts will greatly increase the penetration. Also, multiple passes may be needed but each pass needs to be of good quality- in other words no overlap, proper penetration, etc. If you have spots with overlap, don't be afraid to take a grinder to it so the next pass can dig in fully.

As for wire, I've used Lincoln wire professionally and had good results.
Another choice would be ESAB Coreshield 11.

Lastly, to be a really good welder requires a ton of practice so don't be afraid to burn wire on scrap pieces BEFORE you dive into your Jeep projects!

Hope this helps, shoot me a PM if you have any other questions!

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

Ron


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