is this a good first welder?

[Jake]

hey guys i am asking for your advice im looking at this welder here: http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/500487.html for about ($310) also http://www.tractorsupplycompany.com/detail.asp?pcID=1&paID=1011&sonID=600&page=1&productID=2246 (for about $267) my key thing is im wanting to know if it will handel building my barstool racer using the flux core ive welded before and can get deciend welds out. umm im looking for a gas no gas welder so if i have a job and need the gas i can get it but i want to try and get by using flux core on a cheap budget thanks for ur advice guys!

[moto1fast]

Hello, If your looking for a gas or no gas welder go with the Hobart 125 Welder. It will do just fine for building BSR's. It should weld good up to about 3/16" on flux core! Most of the material thickness is about 1/8" on square tubing and round. The Farm hand is a little small and will only use flux core and you would not be able to weld aluminum without using argon gas. You can use Argon and weld aluminum with the Hobart 125 Handler! Hope this helps some. If money aint a big issue spend another 200.00 and get the Hobart 180 Handler. If you ever need to weld thicker materials you would not have to buy another welder later! :thumb:

[Mike Bean]

The only thing I would recommend to do is be sure to bevel the rear axle hangers on both sides so you get some heat in the joint and bevel the area where you are welding the front spindle brackets because they are both 1/4". Moto said it will handle 3/16", but I think you can get away with 1/4" with the beveling.

I would turn it all the way up and preform a few test welds on 1/4" welds. But I think you will be ok if you know how to weld.

Mike Bean

[moto1fast]

Mike is right on this. Bevel your thicker metal to get a deeper penetration into your thicker metal. You can weld 1/4" with the Hobart 125 if you bevel and I would run a second pass as well. I had a smaller welder a 100 amp that I used to use and the process I used was: Clean your welding sight of any oil residue (A lot of metal comes with a protactive coating of oil or rust preventative on it), lightly grind or sand your joint areas, Bevel the thicker metal, weld it in place, grind smooth and then run a second pass. Never had one break using that method. The main thing is to get good penetration and go slow! :laughing: But if I could afford another 200.00 I would get a bigger welder. Just my thoughts! Hope this helps some!:cheers:

[fenters2005]

agreed with mike also. but it should do the job. i've watch a guy weld up a couple 4link tabs at a hotel at a truckshow once with a walmart welder and then return it. i believe it was a campbell house welder.... you will automatically make money when you add a hundred or so more and buy atleast a hobart 125.

[barstooldawg]

flux core and you would not be able to weld aluminum without using argon gas.

You can weld Aluminium with flux, they make stick welding electrodes for it, but from what I hear they look like S**T. TIG is the only way, but not really an option for most of the weekend warriors that frequent this forum.:smash:

[elvergon]

yeah get the 180, it´ll make a world of difference and you won´t regret it.

Soon the 120 amp class will not be enough

[OffroadRatFabricator]

Go with a incoln elec. sp120. that would set you straight for all you project. if you have the money bump up to 265. that a one stop welder from little projest to frames and rollcages.

[jstrawse]

just buy as good a welder as you can afford Hobart or Lincoln Elect. Both are good , Put it on gas sheilding, forget the flux core wire .