There is a handle that must be installed on top of the welder (explained in another step of this Instructable).
#Harbor freight flux welder how to#
I will share some of those tips in a future Instructable on how to use a flux core welder. After replacing the spool, my welds got better, but it could have been because I got more experience and got some tips from an expert welder. I have read good things about Hobart, so I got this wire on Amazon for the same price as a spool at HF. There are plans online to convert it to DC, but we paid for the 1-year warranty, so my parents would kill me if I modified it and voided the warranty before a year. But, I took it back when I realized that is specifically said that it was for an "Electrode Negative DC" welder. First, I bought one from Harbor Freight because it was a different brand. I have read numerous reviews online that the wire that comes with this welder is garbage, so I bought a new reel myself just in case they're right. There is a 2-pound spool of wire in there and that will last you for a while. This is most of what you will need to get started besides those additional items listed in the Introduction. In the image, you can see what is included in the box. Shipping is expensive and HF doesn't stock this, so you might have to go to your local hardware store to pick it up. They often use square steel tube for this but angle bar should work too. Many people, after practicing for a while, make their first project to weld together a table for their welder.
I ground off of the powder coating, cut it to pieces, and welded it back together (at least I tried to). So, I used the extension to a weight bench for doing lat pulldowns (I'm a nerd, I'll never use it).
I had an old steel basketball pole that I tried, but it's hard for a beginner to weld on something round. If it says stainless, galvanized, zinc-plated, or high carbon alloy, then it won't work. You can only weld "mild steel" with a flux core welder. Then, you're also going to need something to practice welding on. Slag Hammer: Harbor Freight, $6.00 or Amazon, $9.00 Welding Apron: Harbor Freight, $10.00 or Amazon, $25.00 Variety of cutters, grinders, and wire brushes for angle grinder (varies by grinder) Wire brushes: Harbor Freight, $6.00 or Amazon, $9.00. The apron is a must if you weld while sitting down, which beginners should (I found this out the hard way, too).Īngle grinder for preparing metal: Harbor Freight, $15.00 or Amazon, $23. A jacket is better than an apron because it protects your arms from flash burn and hot spatter. It would probably be worth getting a Prime membership just to save shipping on these items. It comes with a slag hammer and a brush, but the brush was ruined after my first time and the slag hammer is tiny. These other things, you might have around your house, but I'll give Harbor Freight and Amazon links in case you don't. Get gloves that go way up your arm like these at Harbor Freight for $10 or these on Amazon for $16. Gardening gloves just won't do it the splatters will burn right through. You must use fireproof welding gloves to protect from the intense UV and the splatter. Technically, it's called a flash burn, but same thing. They have welding goggles for like $5.00, but welding gives off ultraviolet light and your face will get sunburned (I learned that one the hard way!). Harbor Freight has them for about $45.00 or about $30.00 on Amazon. The welder comes with a simple mask, but it is handheld and you really should weld with two hands. You will ABSOLUTELY need a welding mask or helmet. In addition, you are going to need more equipment to weld well and weld safely. Here is one, maybe even a little better than that HF welder (more voltage settings) for a few dollars more. If there isn't a Harbor Freight near you, they have very similar offers on Amazon. Unfortunately, the 20% off coupons that HF advertises specifically say that they cannot be used on welders. The welder costs $99 or $89 when you find it on sale. So, I spent months researching this either famous or infamous welder at Harbor Freight that hobbyists love and experts hate. I know some CAD already and I have a lot of experience in 3D printing, so the next skill that I want to learn is welding. As part of my quest to become an aerospace engineer, I believe that it will be valuable to have skills in the machine shop.
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