jacob300zx Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=55167 It is a non gas mig. Have any of you ever heard of this? Is the wire thickness alright? Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 It doesn't look like the best choice. Search "flux core" and you'll get more info on the non-gas mig setup. It probably could be used to do the bodywork, but it wouldn't be anywhere near my first choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob300zx Posted August 28, 2006 Author Share Posted August 28, 2006 Thanks for the reply. I went ahead and got it. I just couldn't pass up the deal I got. I ordered the gas less mig, helmet, spare tip, wire, 3 pairs of tin snips, leather welding apron, and a grinder. All that for 151.95 after shipping. After I called our local welding supply and they quoted me 550. for there cheapest welder it made the decision all the more easier. Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 Keep us posted on how things work out. I am always looking for a bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zV8 Posted August 28, 2006 Share Posted August 28, 2006 yea post how it works... I'm guessing it's gonna sputter alot, and be hard to control....but for the price if it gets the couple things u need done, why not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lason Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 be prepared to burn through a lot! I would even think about body work without gas. Only thing I use flux core for now is when Im welding heavy gauge steel that is on the verge of maxing my welder out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 yeah flux core is going to penetrate a lot more than regular MIG welding. The best gas for bodywork would be argon as it would penetrate the least and be the smoothest to weld with. Co2 penetrates more than argon and then flux core is more than that. It should work for tacking stuff but be sure to clean off all of your slag before you tack again near the weld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob300zx Posted August 30, 2006 Author Share Posted August 30, 2006 Cant I just do a series of tacks and grinds? I have read some threads of people that have had success. Remember, there is always a better way to do something. The problem is most the time that requires more money than the slow, hard, and CHEAP way. jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boodlefoof Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Jake, If you're going to use this for bodywork, I recommend getting some strips of copper plate to hold behind the sheetmetal you are working on. When held against the back of the sheetmetal, the copper will act as a heat sink, helping to reduce blow-through. Also, your welding wire shouldn't stick to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob300zx Posted August 30, 2006 Author Share Posted August 30, 2006 Thanks for the advise John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody 82 ZXT Posted August 30, 2006 Share Posted August 30, 2006 Jake' date=' If you're going to use this for bodywork, I recommend getting some strips of copper plate to hold behind the sheetmetal you are working on. When held against the back of the sheetmetal, the copper will act as a heat sink, helping to reduce blow-through. Also, your welding wire shouldn't stick to it.[/quote'] This is a good idea and I want to add that the cleaner the area the better off you'll be and the less cleanup you'll have to do later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob300zx Posted September 2, 2006 Author Share Posted September 2, 2006 Wife just called and said my welder is in. So I should be trying it out pretty soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ZFury Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 I basicly have the same welder except with the gas option on it. Mine works fine. Just you get that splatter with the FluxCore wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuntry Posted October 15, 2006 Share Posted October 15, 2006 Ive been using that welder around the house for about a year now, works great. I even used it to patch the rust holes in my Zs floors. No, its not the prettiest job, but nobody will see it when Im done. Ive also used it to tack a few bigger jobs, then take the pieces to work and use the big mig there to finish off the job. I did find out that the .035 wire likes to bind up unless the lead is almost perfectly straight, I changed over to the .030 wire and tips and havent had that problem since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zwannabe Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 good thing you told him before he got it, i just now saw this post. i have the step up from that welder and damn was it a waste of money. it sputters, burns through everything if it will even penetrate the metal. some days it'll work alright for a while then just take a crap on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGJIM Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 Mine works fine, i welded up all the emblem holes in my 240z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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