So I inherited two cheap welders, and I plan to use one of them to fabricate some simple gates out of 1" and 2" square steel tubing - 16 gauge.
Which welder should I "tune-up" and get going? Both are probably fairly new, but haven't been used in a long time (if ever really).
Harbor Freight (Chicago Electric) Arc-120 Stick welder:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002379SEC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Mine is set up for 220V, so I can run 120 amps (not sure which sticks to buy yet)
Campbell Hausfeld 85 amp Flux Core Welder:
Campbell Hausfeld 115-Volt 85-Amp Flux Welder-WF215001AV - The Home Depot
I'm leaning towards using this guy, with some decent Lincoln flux core wire (.035 size or .030?)
Since they're both fairly entry level, I didn't want to bother getting both set up with material. I'll probably sell one or the other and mess around until I decide to get a quality welder...
Thoughts? Since these are gates, I'm thinking either will work ok (not a chassis weld or anything safety related). Most tend to think the flux core wire feed are easier to use and control, but maybe I'll need the extra penetration of the 120 amp stick feed? Maybe the 120 amp stick welder won't actually produce a stronger weld?
Which welder should I "tune-up" and get going? Both are probably fairly new, but haven't been used in a long time (if ever really).
Harbor Freight (Chicago Electric) Arc-120 Stick welder:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002379SEC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
Mine is set up for 220V, so I can run 120 amps (not sure which sticks to buy yet)
Campbell Hausfeld 85 amp Flux Core Welder:
Campbell Hausfeld 115-Volt 85-Amp Flux Welder-WF215001AV - The Home Depot
I'm leaning towards using this guy, with some decent Lincoln flux core wire (.035 size or .030?)
Since they're both fairly entry level, I didn't want to bother getting both set up with material. I'll probably sell one or the other and mess around until I decide to get a quality welder...
Thoughts? Since these are gates, I'm thinking either will work ok (not a chassis weld or anything safety related). Most tend to think the flux core wire feed are easier to use and control, but maybe I'll need the extra penetration of the 120 amp stick feed? Maybe the 120 amp stick welder won't actually produce a stronger weld?
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