We used to use fire stone / chimney bricks to weld on. My tips are 1. Don't weld so close to the cockshutt with the sweet paint job 2. Don't weld next to the chainsaw 3. Careful welding next to the camera - you can develop slag spots & black spots from the intensity of the light.
Those welds look just fine to build something, don't judge your self against a perfect weld or someones welds that have been doing it for years . All you should do is try your best every time you weld and you will get much better fast . Good luck
I bought this exact same welder a number of years ago after watching Chuckee's video. I wanted the Hobart like he had but at that time it was unavailable in Canada as it wasn't CSA approved. ( That changed later ) It has been a very good machine and plenty adequate for my stick welding needs. I used to really enjoy his earlier videos when he was a younger guy living at home and working out of his Mom's barn there. He would go out and buy tools and equipment that the average guy like you and me and the next guy could afford. Once his channel started to really grow and companies started sending him expensive equipment I found his stuff a little like watching some middle of the night infomercial and I stopped watching. He IS a good welder ,though. No doubt about that. Anyway, that was a great video you made.
Sounds like its welding good for you. Welding left to right is preferable so you can see the puddle. Lincoln excalibur rods will give you better welds IMO. Consider a rod oven, I finally got one after 20 years, and I strongly recommend one for your 7018's. dry rods run easier and produce better welds. Cheers!
yes! rod oven. on a humid day the rods are no good after ten minutes of unwrapping the box. they are like that. 7018. and you mentioned amps. mess around with the heat, go down to 105-106 try it on some thick stuff and it will stop some of the burn through and try some high heat 130-140 move that rod quick and see!! have fun with it.
This welder is niche, but I'm happy with my 3 MOT welder. It penetrates perfectly and I prefer the aggressive arc of that than via inverter. The transformers are also oil cooled. 7016 is a great rod to use by the way.
Not bad for a first run. I have a Miller 211 MIG, but looking for a good stick. They are just so basic. No having to mess with wire liners, contact tips, spatter clogging up the tips, birdsnests in the box, etc. You just grab a rod and go for it....
nice machine buddy, it should last a long time, i have the old thunderbolt ac/dc 225 and it has been a great machine and still works very good. like welder3743 said, break the flux cone off the rod when you stop and your restart will be like with a new rod.weld on !
This is awesome! Great video and thank you so much for doing it! I just love real people taking time to make these things and the only real glory are the hits and appreciation for helping a fellow comrade in this thing they call life. Thanks again buddy! :)
Hey man, no offense to you I'm not trying to sound like a know it all, but next time do not weld against that cinder block. The heat from a weld can cause the air inside concrete to heat up and explode. I wouldn't wanna see anybody get hurt. Great video regardless, my mind is made up to get a thunderbolt know cause I found one for a good price. Weld on buddy.
Interesting. My dad was a great welder. One of the best around. At least that is what I hear. I finally got myself a welder in June or July. It was a cheap one. Like $75. Stick welder. I actually taught myself how to do it. When I first got it, a long time ago, probably 20 years or so, my dad made me this little thing with my name on it. I tired when I first got the thing and failed. haha A few days ago, there is a little guy who will have his first Christmas this year. I welded Happy first Christmas Gavin, into a square of steel. I almost cried when I saw it. That showed me that I had advanced. ANYWAY, I want another welder. I saw some from Hobart on Amazon. But, I think I want to save for Millers. See, I am 30. I had a traumatic brain injury in 03. Coma for 6 weeks. Woke up blind. Go my sight back! Like 8% that is. So, I like having things to do. LOL I want to teach myself more stick, mig and tig welding. I was surprised to see this lower price version on Millers site. I think like $699. After seeing this video, I will save for this, a mig and a tig welder from them. Thank you for the fun video. I actually want to take classes at the community college to learn how to weld. Fun skill to have.
Saw one of these at tractor supply for 520$. Undecided if I should buy it or Lincoln. How you compare this to the Lincoln. This one is cheaper than the Lincoln by 200$. Just want to invest my money wisely
Lincoln tombstone for the win! Do you hear all the noise these things make even when you’re not welding? Miller doesn’t even make these things anymore. They’ve replaced it with a tiny inverter with a big price but same name! The ones prior to that were notorious for burning out the diodes that filtered the AC current to produce DC. Then there’s the the problem with the movable core freezing (corroding) tight to where you can’t adjust the amps! That happens on both the AC & DC models. The loud vibration noise was an extremely annoying bonus with these too! You can still find some of these branded with the Hobart name (ITW bought Miller years ago along with later purchasing Hobart) at places like Tractor Supply and Northern tool, but I imagine when existing stock is gone, they’ll be history! I know of at least 6 people personally who bought thunderbolts and regretted it within a couple years! I read an article in a welding industry magazine a few years back that said the best use for a thunderbolt was as a boat anchor! Buy red! You won’t regret it!
That's a good idea. It would be nice if somebody made some kind of hand held pencil sharpener that would remove the flux after a weld. I would buy one.
Thunderbolt 225 ac, serial# kh305553 does anyone have an answer for why it keeps cutting off and on during welding? I've got the correct rod and good ground. Can I replace or clean anything internally?
+farmall450diesel thanks . k want to try the auto dark face shield but I have some friends complaining about getting flash . their saying it either takes long to darken or all the shade dont get dark allowing the ray the come through the side
We used to use fire stone / chimney bricks to weld on. My tips are 1. Don't weld so close to the cockshutt with the sweet paint job 2. Don't weld next to the chainsaw 3. Careful welding next to the camera - you can develop slag spots & black spots from the intensity of the light.
Those welds look just fine to build something, don't judge your self against a perfect weld or someones welds that have been doing it for years . All you should do is try your best every time you weld and you will get much better fast . Good luck
Thanks for the comment. Eric
Pretty welds are not always strong.
I’ve never welded in my life until yesterday lol it looked just like yours. Glad to know it was an alright bead.
I bought this exact same welder a number of years ago after watching Chuckee's video. I wanted the Hobart like he had but at that time it was unavailable in Canada as it wasn't CSA approved. ( That changed later ) It has been a very good machine and plenty adequate for my stick welding needs. I used to really enjoy his earlier videos when he was a younger guy living at home and working out of his Mom's barn there. He would go out and buy tools and equipment that the average guy like you and me and the next guy could afford. Once his channel started to really grow and companies started sending him expensive equipment I found his stuff a little like watching some middle of the night infomercial and I stopped watching. He IS a good welder ,though. No doubt about that. Anyway, that was a great video you made.
Sounds like its welding good for you. Welding left to right is preferable so you can see the puddle. Lincoln excalibur rods will give you better welds IMO. Consider a rod oven, I finally got one after 20 years, and I strongly recommend one for your 7018's. dry rods run easier and produce better welds. Cheers!
yes! rod oven. on a humid day the rods are no good after ten minutes of unwrapping the box. they are like that. 7018. and you mentioned amps. mess around with the heat, go down to 105-106 try it on some thick stuff and it will stop some of the burn through and try some high heat 130-140 move that rod quick and see!! have fun with it.
an old fridge with a light bulb inside works good too
This welder is niche, but I'm happy with my 3 MOT welder. It penetrates perfectly and I prefer the aggressive arc of that than via inverter.
The transformers are also oil cooled.
7016 is a great rod to use by the way.
Thank you for your comment. Eric
Not bad for a first run. I have a Miller 211 MIG, but looking for a good stick. They are just so basic. No having to mess with wire liners, contact tips, spatter clogging up the tips, birdsnests in the box, etc. You just grab a rod and go for it....
I just bought this welder with extra leads, jackson helmet with replacement lenses for $80! I definitely got a damn good deal. Thank you for sharing
I wish Miller still offered this model of welder.
You just solved my problem. Thanks. - N Idaho -
I paid $480.00 for the welder. So far I have been happy. Thanks for the post.
i wouldn't be welding right next to that beautiful tractor......
nice machine buddy, it should last a long time, i have the old thunderbolt ac/dc 225 and it has been a great machine and still works very good. like welder3743 said, break the flux cone off the rod when you stop and your restart will be like with a new rod.weld on !
Good job man. Nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks for sharing.
This is awesome! Great video and thank you so much for doing it!
I just love real people taking time to make these things and the only real glory are the hits and appreciation for helping a fellow comrade in this thing they call life.
Thanks again buddy! :)
Wow, you nailed it! You made my day. Eric
Hey man, no offense to you I'm not trying to sound like a know it all, but next time do not weld against that cinder block. The heat from a weld can cause the air inside concrete to heat up and explode. I wouldn't wanna see anybody get hurt. Great video regardless, my mind is made up to get a thunderbolt know cause I found one for a good price. Weld on buddy.
Are you serious man?
How about fire pits made with concrete bricks?
Does the heat have to be exclusively from welding to cause an explosion 💥, 🤔
Thanks for the video, overall, not a bad work, butter than mine. great job. I need a stick welder now.
Interesting. My dad was a great welder. One of the best around. At least that is what I hear. I finally got myself a welder in June or July. It was a cheap one. Like $75. Stick welder. I actually taught myself how to do it. When I first got it, a long time ago, probably 20 years or so, my dad made me this little thing with my name on it. I tired when I first got the thing and failed. haha A few days ago, there is a little guy who will have his first Christmas this year. I welded Happy first Christmas Gavin, into a square of steel. I almost cried when I saw it. That showed me that I had advanced. ANYWAY, I want another welder. I saw some from Hobart on Amazon. But, I think I want to save for Millers. See, I am 30. I had a traumatic brain injury in 03. Coma for 6 weeks. Woke up blind. Go my sight back! Like 8% that is. So, I like having things to do. LOL I want to teach myself more stick, mig and tig welding. I was surprised to see this lower price version on Millers site. I think like $699. After seeing this video, I will save for this, a mig and a tig welder from them. Thank you for the fun video. I actually want to take classes at the community college to learn how to weld. Fun skill to have.
Thanks for the tips. I have lots to learn.
I saw you jump when it started to arc. That happens to me all the time!!!
+BASSASSASSINZTV I did not notice that but I bet your right. Thanks for watching and the comment.
Sweet welder...I want one!
Saw one of these at tractor supply for 520$. Undecided if I should buy it or Lincoln. How you compare this to the Lincoln. This one is cheaper than the Lincoln by 200$. Just want to invest my money wisely
Lincoln tombstone for the win! Do you hear all the noise these things make even when you’re not welding? Miller doesn’t even make these things anymore. They’ve replaced it with a tiny inverter with a big price but same name! The ones prior to that were notorious for burning out the diodes that filtered the AC current to produce DC. Then there’s the the problem with the movable core freezing (corroding) tight to where you can’t adjust the amps! That happens on both the AC & DC models. The loud vibration noise was an extremely annoying bonus with these too! You can still find some of these branded with the Hobart name (ITW bought Miller years ago along with later purchasing Hobart) at places like Tractor Supply and Northern tool, but I imagine when existing stock is gone, they’ll be history! I know of at least 6 people personally who bought thunderbolts and regretted it within a couple years! I read an article in a welding industry magazine a few years back that said the best use for a thunderbolt was as a boat anchor! Buy red! You won’t regret it!
Is like learning a bicycle never forget 🤘
It sure is. Eric
I would advise you to build a welding cart , your weldes are more than good enough for that
got one worked great plug it in the shop and got nothing have power to switch and coming out of it but that's the way it's going no hum no arch
Thanks you because I just bought Hobart Lx 300.
I got one.very happy with. It welds very good.
That's a good idea. It would be nice if somebody made some kind of hand held pencil sharpener that would remove the flux after a weld. I would buy one.
i want to know how to adapt in this machien the tig torch, thanks
alexi jose gomez siegle Just swap your leads (tig power cable to machine negative and ground clamp to positive on machine)
Thunderbolt 225 ac, serial# kh305553 does anyone have an answer for why it keeps cutting off and on during welding? I've got the correct rod and good ground. Can I replace or clean anything internally?
How much you payed?
nice video i am planning on buying a similar welder how is this welder
thanks
This welder has been flawless. I would recommend this one to everybody.
great welding ,you mite need some 5/32 rods .
I bought an used one for 200 the same I was told i works fine so will see I need a generator to tried
is that a auto darken face shield and what type is it
Yes it is, I will go down to the barn and get the name and model for you.
+farmall450diesel thanks . k want to try the auto dark face shield but I have some friends complaining about getting flash . their saying it either takes long to darken or all the shade dont get dark allowing the ray the come through the side
Adjust your rod angel and slow just a bit and your fine, not bad as is
t Mann Thanks for the advice. Eric
Your welcome, I learned some tricks from other thats what its about, nice job
Thanks for the comment.
can you run this machine on a 100amp service?
yes just make sure you have a 50 amp circuit 220 plug with thick cables
she's sound good, use different welding rod.
when you weld with 7018 and stop take your thumb and break the acess flux off
You heve my 👍
Thanks for the positive comment. Eric
best advice i could give you is to buy a small rod oven used for 60$
made in USA probably last 50 years
Look's good ' now you can make a wagon cart for your welder' why buy when you are that good of a welder after 20 yrs ??
Thank you for the positive comment. Eric
yes it would because I have burned 2 pairs of gloves doing that
Yea I paid $480.00. I think I did good.
farmall450diesel did you buy it used or new for $480?
480?....round here its like almost a grand...
Z a-dogs