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I started welding with grandpa using car batteries hooked to a 8N Ford tractor, that was when I was 12 years old. Never stopped and never looked back. Now I'm a retired pipeline welder age 68. My equipment sure has been up graded from my Granpa's.
In 1991 I was working for Brunswick Marine in the wood shop custom fitting boat decks. During breaks I taught myself how to Tig weld aluminum and soon I was moved to an assembly line as they liked my beads. (they were probably short welders) We used all Miller machines and I never knew how to setup any of them, but never had to adjust anything as each station was already setup. In the last 10 years I've gotten back into welding steel and am teaching myself again. Your channel has several good videos, making the learning curve a lot shorter than 30yrs ago. I bought a Campbell stick welder from WM and everything looked like dirt dobbing, then a HF 90amp flux core machine which was better and now a Lincoln 140 which is even better. For me welding aluminum or steel, the secret is in the heat and the puddle is the tattle tale. Keep cranking out the videos... you like matheson & lincoln wire but your got a blue demon sign in the back?
Thanks @John Meadows I appreciate your support! I've done a little work in the Brunswick area myself! Surprisingly enough I have never used Blue Demon wire but i've heard really good things about it. Several years ago when I was new to UA-cam Blue Demon sent me a stick welder to try and it came with a banner. I still use the welder to this day and like the banner in the shop but I should probably try their wire. I've used Matheson for the last 3 years until I recently did a head to head shootout with Matheson (non sponsored video) Lincoln, Hobart, Vulcan and one other wire and Lincoln came out on top so now that's my wire of choice until I do another test and something better pops up.
My first welder was a HF a/c flux core. Paid around 100$. After about 6 months I decided to convert it to d/c electrode negative. The parts cost another 100$ or so and a few hrs of my time. It made a world of difference; more consistent arc, less spatter, and better penetration. I now have a 2k$ mig setup but still find myself using the HF frankenwelder fairly often, mostly outside in windy conditions because it works so well and it’s easier than switching out the wire and swapping the leads on the Hobart.
I love it! I started out with a HF welder too. Probably right around that same price. I used it for years. I couldn't kill it. I was doing some mobile welding and ended up dropping it off the side of a barge on a draw bridge I was working on. I would probably still be using it.
Great video ! Great advice for guys who don’t know Flux core may be the only welding you can do in that location outside gas isn’t always able to be performed windy outside it’s virtually impossible to use gas! So flux is good to use!!!
I have a multi process welder I bought from harbor freight and I don't have gas yet so I just use the flux core wire. Its been working just fine. I've built quite a bit of stuff and its super easy to get started and learn to use. Its just wire and the gun. All you have to mess with is voltage and wire speed.
@Korey Williams and 99% of the time simpler is better in my opinion. Like I said in the video, there are a lot of features on my welder I don't use so I pretty much use mine the same way as you do. I love flux core anyways.
I have 170amp mig/flux core welder that is at least 7 years old, it's spent everyday of it's life outside in upstate NY elements, snow, rain etc. And is still welding the same as the day I brought it home. I have built everything from exhaust systems to bucket loaders
Those old welders especially the transformer based units are pretty much bullet proof @John Sayman. Beautiful country in upstate NY. We took a road trip out to Chicago last year and I couldn't believe how much upstate resembled Maine. But it literally went on FOREVER!
I bought a ragged Chicago Electric Mig 100 at a yard sale yeeeeaaars ago (for I think $25) that is still kicking and my go to for non structural welds.... innexpensive doesn't always mean cheap.
I have my own welding business. Started out with a 180 amp Home Depot Lincoln. Then got a Hobart stickmate and built like 35 flights of stairs. Had to get a 210mp while I was waiting on the fronius to come in. Your outro was correct. You don’t need fancy welders to start.
Great comments Brandon. Beginning my welding journey and flux core is less costly as I learn . Gas is expesive and you will waste a lot as you learn. Flux core wire is a little more expesive than solid wire but again you waste that too as you learn. and chipping and wire brushing off the slag is not a big hassle either.
@Bob D. Fletcher Jr It's weird because when I was younger I was much more lax about it and for that reason I got lots of eye injuries. Fortunately i dont have hearing loss. Now that im getting older I actually ENJOY hearing protection. I think it helps me stay focused. As far as eye protection, I was a slow learner. Thankfully I still have good vision😎😁
Even with a 110v you can weld large thick things. When I started welding I had a little 120 amp stick welder which would weld 90 amps all day long so I just used 2.5mm rods and do as many passes as needed. This can also be applied to mig or fcaw. Also you are a great teacher. Keep up the good work
@@BrandonLund I recently purchased a multi process welder and put a roll of flux core on it, put the connections on the right way and started welding. It did about and inch of bead and the wire stopped. I open up the cover and the wire has broken at the roller(the very start of the cable). This has happened three times. Do you know what could be causing this? Can you help me? Thanks
@@simonsiron887 @Simon's Iron It sounds like it could be a few different things. Flux core being hollow is more delicate. In this order, make sure your wire reel is not too tight. If your machine is pulling the wire and the reel is dragging it will snap the wire at the drive rolls. Make sure you are using the serrated drive rolls (not the smooth groove) and the tension is not set too tight.
@@BrandonLund I tried twice after watching videos. Yesterday after this one I went out and welded a couple 2 foot pieces of metal together and they are one with each other. I was missing the "go slow" part. It's ugly but it's progress
@@BrandonLund Thanks. In one day I went from really terrible to kinda terrible and I have worked my way up to pretty bad... I am shooting for tolerable by the weekend 🤣
Well for people just starting or self learning to weld the safety is no joke ! Waking up in the middle of the night with your eyes matted closed omg or quickie weld and one of those orange balls are dancing around and falls into the corner of your non leather tongue boot or wearing one of those jackets with the fuzzy stuff on it that you realized is quite flammable or that hole in your jeans with the strings hanging out. Never throw the lead over your shoulder unless you want to know what a hypodermic needle in the hip feels like. Ear plugs! Everyone cocks the head at an angle just a little bit and one of those sparks dead center of the ear drum makes for some real good fun. 🤔 That's pretty much all I've been through. All of it sucked really bad!
Appreciate the no nonsense approach to your teaching . After seeing the shortcomings of the 110 volt flux welder while using my friends setup trying to weld thicker metals ,I decided to get a 220 volt MIG from Harbor freight . This is my first welding machine , I'm in the process of learning to do this and I'm on a budget . With some of the money I saved I was able build a new dedicated circuit for the machine to make sure it had a proper sized breaker ,8 guage wires and that everything is safe and up to code . I've already had people giving me crap for getting the Harbor freight MIG 170 and it's getting old- really fast . I've noticed that those who've been welding for a while as a trade usually don't have that holier than thou attitude towards my purchase and in general they're pretty supportive and say exactly the same thing about it which is if I like doing it and want to do it for a living by all means work my way up to a better machines in time but that for what I'm doing this machine will be just fine for me . Anyways I enjoyed the video 💯 and subbed to your channel .👍✌️
Thanks man and i apprecuate the sub. Real welders dont discourage others. Your 170.is 10x better than the 120 volt junk i started out on and guess what, that junk 120 volt welder made the thousands of dollars. Ignore those that think they know it all and dont let them discourage you. As someone that owns some of the best welders money can buy, the only real difference is somewhat subtle and usually the extra price is for those features and warranty. Enjoy your machine and be proud 👍
Thank you for giving a good all around summary of the best welder for each application. Your statement that you use the flux core MIG welder outside because the wind blows the gas away was useful information. I'm 78 years old and own a gas welder which I use on hobby projects. I started welding with a massive Stick Welder in High School which was great for thick material. I have felt the need recently to get the MIG and Stick welders I had been given operational so I could weld without gas or overheating the metal. Thanks again!
I love it playing with the telemarketers! I bought the Omni Pro 220 Vulcan welder when it was $749.00 it does everything I need it to do and pretty well for my skill level as a hobbyist. Good advice on managing the gas bottle. 😀🛫
@@BrandonLund I own 2 of the Vulcan Omni pro 220 welders as well as I have the multi process titanium there both good machines and they both have some amazing capabilities the titanium plasma cutter is awesome it can be setup to run on a plasma cnc table like Mike did on his channel which is @Mike Festiva
Thanks @awac45 next weeks episode will be right up your alley then! I just bought what I think is probably the best multi process welder you can buy for the money :)
I have used fluxcore at times out doors, but I still prefer dual shield fluxcore even out doors in light wind. It just welds better than regular self shield fluxcore wire. When you first start out welding on a tight budget then a straight fluxcore welder or good old stick welder is where to start to learn how to weld. There is a whole lot more to this welding game than first meets the eye.
@Buce D I think that's excellent advise. I wish I would have touched on that in the video. My first process was on stick with an old buzz box. I think when you start with stick it builds muscle memory to read the puddle and it makes you appreciate wire feed welders so much more.
Wow, Brandon, this was outstanding. I'm subscribed to your channel, but somehow I missed this video. I can't understand how I missed this. Anyhow, you really helped me a bunch man! I have the same welder (Fronius Transteel 2200) you're using in this video, and the way you set it up step by step was so useful.
Your point about being able to weld better with a cheap welder than a beginner with an expensive welder holds true in many areas. In photography I've seen people with very expensive cameras not be able to compose a shot and get a quality photo. On the other hand I can take a point and shoot camera and get a better photo only because of knowledge and most of all "PRACTICE."
Brandon, I have a harbor freight wire feed welder, and I've converted it to DC welding, and put a Miller mig gun on it. I've not used it yet, but had to get a larger generator to run it. I've also upgraded the ground wire to heavier duty as well as the ground clamp. I bought it as scrap, and had to make my own side panels as the old ones were unavailable when I bought it.
@Bryant Fry That's awesome! I love those types of projects when you pick up something as scrap and turn it into something useful again. It's very rewarding. Nice job!
@@BrandonLund I've watched others do the same thing, but some made holes in their welder to upgrade it, but the only hole I made was in the back of the welder for the power cord, as it was originally brought out through the front. I used a block of plastic where the wire feed gun attached, drilled a hole in the front for the Miller mig gun, and put a knob on the inside to secure it in place. I look forward to trying it out in the near future.
@Bryan Fry Pretty crafty! I don't know if you have Facebook but I'd love to see you post some details on my page when your done. This could help others and give them some ideas 👍
I finally got the hang of flux core welding it's actually easier than you think it is Bob Elkhart Indiana thanks for your videos they really helped out
I traded for a Lincoln mig that was setup for flux and ended up doing 95% of my work outside off a small generator, it ended up being the perfect process for me.
Hey bud I just want to see right off thank you I ain't worried I ain't embarrassed about having a wire feed welder now thank you just invite me to what I feel better now I didn't know I was feeling bad because I always thought the steak was a high quality better one but thank you for clearing that up you're freaking awesome
Appreciate the information. I've been setting up my welder wrong. I was getting "birdsnesting" and thought my welder was junk. Pretty excited to get in the shop tomorrow. Thanks.
People will find a way to make others feel down and make themselves feel bigger, theyre good machines to learn on and have fun with thats what matters. Especially for someone just starting out its good and weld very good
@Ruben Vargas right on!. You will probably enjoy this weeks episode then. I test out a bunch of wire using a HF welder and I'm actually switching brands after 5 years based on the test results!
As a complete noob beginner, I can't yet even call myself a welder, I haven't even plugged it in yet, I came here for some beginner tips on welding, and was happily surprised to get a lesson on how to handle scammers. LMAO, that was hilarious. I have a YESWELDER 5 in 1 welder, and am going to try FCAW first, then maybe some plasma cutting.
I'm just getting started with welding. I have a project I want to work on. I got the steel.. 2" square tube. It is 0.125" thick. I have a HB Flux core welder. For better "penetration", would it make sense for me to grind a 45° edge on each of my pieces before connecting? This will allow me to fill the gap I have created, rather than bonding the outside edges of the pieces and hoping it has penetrated properly.
Wow thank you for the info it’s a big help on my Hobart. I got information from you I didn’t really get from anybody else. Thanks again I’m going go test my new knowledge👍
Brandon I’m addicted and have been for 60 yrs with making things from models to racing cars rally cars my eyes have a mind of there own now after welding grinding and the odd battery explosion the old peepers have suffered a bit but I can still see a beautiful women at 50 ft stay safe another great vid 😂👍👨🏻🏭🇬🇧
@Paul Paleschi thanks man! I consider myself lucky. I guess as we get older we start thinking more about safety. I'm just lucky I haven't been seriously injured so I try to pass on my good fortune to others.
Thanks for the video,, And if you need to weld outdoors in a breeze you'll be happy you have a flux core welder !! I've used a flux core for many years and still do at times. Thanks again !!
Great Video. I got a combo 110/240amp welder that has the easy ability to shift polarity just by switching the cables in the front of the machine. I also like the tack weld 2P or 4P capability.
Thanks for talking about safety, seen too many people get a piece of wire, chipped slag or sliver of metal in their eyes from not protecting themselves properly. The Hobart 210 can work off 120/240.
Thanks man! I try not to come off as preachy but im also thankful that I haven't been seriously injured so its a fine line when I try to pass along my good fortune. Yah that Hobart 210 is a nice unit. If I were to do it again I would probably save a little longer and get the 210 just for the extra amperage.
Hello, I have the Transsteel 2200. I noticed in the video you mentioned the Polarity Settings were done by the welder... this is not correct. Selfshielded Fluxcore requires the leads being plugged into front panel DCEN.
most definitley safety first and i so agree with eye protection ive had steel pieces slag dust wood spikes and weld flash at least 25 times and after the last time wont let it happen again 3 days not seeing properly is no fun and as you get older it gets worse
I’m glad I gave one no gas and I don’t care. First time I used it I did a lot of homework/videos how to use it and was feeling confident, then I nearly burned down my aunts garage. LOL
VERY good video Brandon! I’m a staunch fan of many HF Tools and specifically, their Titanium Welders certainly ARE great products. It was wonderful to see you positively communicate this point! Plus their warranties are bomb proof and easily exchanged if you have an issue. Just commend you for supporting individuals with cost saving purchases in mind to get the job done! Mine kept me going for years until I could afford more. Cheers.
Thanks man! I'm all about saving money and using affordable equipment. I had a HF welder many many years ago. It made me tons of money. Im not proud. If it can make me money and pay for itself, im sold.
Flux core welding is really good it's actually stronger than MIG welding from what I understood it's very good it's like stick welding but you got the flux in The Wire once you get used to it it's white putting peanut butter on a piece of bread it's very easy I've got both Mig or flux and the one I use the most is flex Bob Elkhart
I have every sort of welder & still use flux-core for 90% of my work. Key with flux is to get good wire. Bad wire will make you think it/you are rubbish - usually it's the wire. Buy good wire.
Thanks, i learn a lot from this. My machine cable is too short, if i want to upgrade the length from 2m to 4m, what other parts should i upgrade too? How about the drive motor, can i use other type of motor, for example rs775 or rs895?
I noticed that you suggested in this video to purchase the 10 lb wire spools. While waiting for my new MIG welder to arrive I have been watching UA-cam MIG welder videos trying to learn about MIG welding. I watched one from another channel but he didn't recommend for the hobbyist MIG welder to purchase the 10 lb wire spools since the wire will corrode over time without being in a climate controlled garage. He only recommended purchasing the 10 lb spool of wire if you were going to use it all fairly quickly. What are you thoughts on hobbyist welder purchasing the 10 lb wire spools? Does MIG wire corrode fairly rapidly? Thank you for sharing your welding knowledge by making these videos. I find them very helpful and entertaining.
Thanks Greg. The wire will get an oxide layer in real humid climates like ours here in Maine but it rarely penetrates beyond the outside few wraps around the reel. If you think you might not weld very often than the smaller reel might be the better choice even it costs you a bit more.
Hi Brandon. Thanks for for tips. I own a Hobart 140 and was working fine one minute and then when l pulled the trigger nothing. Machine came on but no wire. Am sure it has to do with circuit board. Any thoughts?
Another great video.. love when you put these calls in the video's 🤣🤣🤣 I have a Millermatic 130xp, for around my garage, I run flux core most of the time.. But I also use mig wire and gas, like you said less clean up with mig. But both are great.. love the channel man. Great videos wish UA-cam was around when I started.. so informative have a great day and thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍🍻
oh yeah no problem! Thank you I actually welded up my second trailer today . I had no idea the difference between flex core wire and solid argon wire and rewire the welder.1st trailer I used argon and solid.The second I used flex core and rewired the welder I was out of gas.Both are done. Thank you very much!
I bought a welder 3 years ago from Amazon. Just opened it and tried it after 3 years. Its china special, flux core only 110v ,transformer type. opened it up to check polarity and its hard wired , cant change it. Am I screwed or do they wire it right from the factory? Thanks for the video , this is my 2nd time watching it.
also for whatever reason i cant seem to set the temperature on this thing..maybe its too hot or too cold idk theres only a small voltage that goes from -3 to +3 and the only thing i can seem to adjust is the wire speed.
Great video, and now I feel less guilty using the bottom of my machine as storage. Yo should make a video with all the scamcalls, that will be a lot of fun.
@chevylization thanks man! Some people like it and some don't. I personally like that they entertain me. I actually have quite a few videos with these little tid bits in them but I've done so many I don't recall which ones. I think I should put a montage together like you suggested at some point.
Just picked up a Harbor freight welder. I flip cars and tired of paying the body guy for metal work. Going to start welding my own panels to save money
I'm not ashamed of my Harbor Freight flux core welder but I am ashamed of the piss poor wire feed! Any suggestions for replacement of crappy plastic part that just wont clamp tight enough to make it happen? Great vid Brandon!👌👍💪
Thanks man I appreciate it! I'm not sure but I'm betting you could probably pick up a complete metal setup on amazon for cheap. They are probably all basically the same if you can find a picture to match it up.
hey you promote yesweld 135. i just received mine and there is no chart. now you show other welders why not setup on the yeswelder 135? i watch 2 videos of you with it but no information on wire speed or volts?
I am in no way in control of what yes welder ships or sends with their equipment. I can only speak of the models that I've purchased and I have not purchased a 135 so I have no idea what's included with that welder. I do have a video showing amperage and voltage on a YesWelder and here is the time marked video clip of that ua-cam.com/video/2ns3HLXDZsE/v-deo.html
Over the past two years I've been through three of the harbor freight welders please spend the money and get a welder that's a little bit better the Harbor Freight ones are great to learn with if you use them very minimal I now have a metal man mp140t welder 10 times better and it is a MIG TIG and stick another option is the aluminum gun with that it comes with the gas lines gas gauges and everything for it
@@BrandonLund the first one crapped out on me just after 6 months I did not buy the warranty second one I bought the warranty so if you're interested I would like donate a brand-new Harbor Freight flux core welder to your channel for you to use and abuse and make your own opinion of them email me if you're interested I think it could be some good content for you
I’m using the 110v yeswelder fluxcore, and the wire feeder isn’t spinning at all when I press the button, I’ve disconnected and reconnected and even after it not working for a lil made sure to really tighten it in and still wasn’t working, can anyone help?
Sounds like the trigger in the gun is not making contact which you can test using a multi meter OR the conections inside the machine aren't activating the motor. Your best bet if it's not the switch is to contact YesWelder and let them know whats going on. It could still be under warranty
The voltage is determined by the arc length while you are welding. .030 solid wire requires around 15 to 17 volts. If your voltage is too high you will have a turbulent weld puddle. Too low and you will have poor arc starts and lack of penetration.
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I started welding with grandpa using car batteries hooked to a 8N Ford tractor, that was when I was 12 years old. Never stopped and never looked back. Now I'm a retired pipeline welder age 68. My equipment sure has been up graded from my Granpa's.
Thats awesome Rodney! I've heard and seen it done with batteries but never first hand. Welding equipment has for changed over the years.
Was not expecting the scam call. Gave me a good chuckle. Thank you.
Thanks Rob! Every now and then I'll sneak in one of these "Easter Eggs" into the vid lol
Thank you. Someone with a positive attitude about welding. No shame in the game.
Thanks man!
In 1991 I was working for Brunswick Marine in the wood shop custom fitting boat decks. During breaks I taught myself how to Tig weld aluminum and soon I was moved to an assembly line as they liked my beads. (they were probably short welders) We used all Miller machines and I never knew how to setup any of them, but never had to adjust anything as each station was already setup. In the last 10 years I've gotten back into welding steel and am teaching myself again. Your channel has several good videos, making the learning curve a lot shorter than 30yrs ago. I bought a Campbell stick welder from WM and everything looked like dirt dobbing, then a HF 90amp flux core machine which was better and now a Lincoln 140 which is even better. For me welding aluminum or steel, the secret is in the heat and the puddle is the tattle tale. Keep cranking out the videos... you like matheson & lincoln wire but your got a blue demon sign in the back?
Thanks @John Meadows I appreciate your support! I've done a little work in the Brunswick area myself! Surprisingly enough I have never used Blue Demon wire but i've heard really good things about it. Several years ago when I was new to UA-cam Blue Demon sent me a stick welder to try and it came with a banner. I still use the welder to this day and like the banner in the shop but I should probably try their wire. I've used Matheson for the last 3 years until I recently did a head to head shootout with Matheson (non sponsored video) Lincoln, Hobart, Vulcan and one other wire and Lincoln came out on top so now that's my wire of choice until I do another test and something better pops up.
Best one I've seen so far. Nice and detailed, organized, and no bs video. Thank you! 🙏
I appreciate that, thank you!
My first welder was a HF a/c flux core. Paid around 100$. After about 6 months I decided to convert it to d/c electrode negative. The parts cost another 100$ or so and a few hrs of my time. It made a world of difference; more consistent arc, less spatter, and better penetration. I now have a 2k$ mig setup but still find myself using the HF frankenwelder fairly often, mostly outside in windy conditions because it works so well and it’s easier than switching out the wire and swapping the leads on the Hobart.
I love it! I started out with a HF welder too. Probably right around that same price. I used it for years. I couldn't kill it. I was doing some mobile welding and ended up dropping it off the side of a barge on a draw bridge I was working on. I would probably still be using it.
Great video ! Great advice for guys who don’t know Flux core may be the only welding you can do in that location outside gas isn’t always able to be performed windy outside it’s virtually impossible to use gas! So flux is good to use!!!
Thanks man I appreciate it! I use flux way more than solid wire. Like you mentioned, it has lots of advantages over solid wire.
I have a multi process welder I bought from harbor freight and I don't have gas yet so I just use the flux core wire. Its been working just fine. I've built quite a bit of stuff and its super easy to get started and learn to use. Its just wire and the gun. All you have to mess with is voltage and wire speed.
@Korey Williams and 99% of the time simpler is better in my opinion. Like I said in the video, there are a lot of features on my welder I don't use so I pretty much use mine the same way as you do. I love flux core anyways.
Hello !! Brandon , I'm the Beginner I never weld before , I been watching your Program learning slowly But work !!! Thanks
Thanks man I'm glad I can help 👍
I have 170amp mig/flux core welder that is at least 7 years old, it's spent everyday of it's life outside in upstate NY elements, snow, rain etc. And is still welding the same as the day I brought it home. I have built everything from exhaust systems to bucket loaders
Those old welders especially the transformer based units are pretty much bullet proof @John Sayman. Beautiful country in upstate NY. We took a road trip out to Chicago last year and I couldn't believe how much upstate resembled Maine. But it literally went on FOREVER!
I bought a ragged Chicago Electric Mig 100 at a yard sale yeeeeaaars ago (for I think $25) that is still kicking and my go to for non structural welds.... innexpensive doesn't always mean cheap.
I love mine!
I have my own welding business. Started out with a 180 amp Home Depot Lincoln. Then got a Hobart stickmate and built like 35 flights of stairs. Had to get a 210mp while I was waiting on the fronius to come in. Your outro was correct. You don’t need fancy welders to start.
Spot on!
Great comments Brandon.
Beginning my welding journey and flux core is less costly as I learn .
Gas is expesive and you will waste a lot as you learn.
Flux core wire is a little more expesive than solid wire but again you waste that too as you learn.
and chipping and wire brushing off the slag is not a big hassle either.
Thanks Michael! Plus chipping slag and brushing relates closely to stick welding so it all ties together. I like flux core welding a lot personally.
flux core welding can be on cs/ss metals
Brandon I’m a beginner welder and you sir have earned a subscriber with this in-depth video… thank you
Awesome, thank you! I appreciate it very much!
May be the best flux core welding video I have seen. Good work.
Thanks Jay! 👍 🙏
I agree with you 100% always wear safety glasses and earplugs👍👍👍
@Bob D. Fletcher Jr It's weird because when I was younger I was much more lax about it and for that reason I got lots of eye injuries. Fortunately i dont have hearing loss. Now that im getting older I actually ENJOY hearing protection. I think it helps me stay focused. As far as eye protection, I was a slow learner. Thankfully I still have good vision😎😁
Even with a 110v you can weld large thick things. When I started welding I had a little 120 amp stick welder which would weld 90 amps all day long so I just used 2.5mm rods and do as many passes as needed. This can also be applied to mig or fcaw. Also you are a great teacher. Keep up the good work
Thank you so much!
@@BrandonLund I recently purchased a multi process welder and put a roll of flux core on it, put the connections on the right way and started welding. It did about and inch of bead and the wire stopped. I open up the cover and the wire has broken at the roller(the very start of the cable). This has happened three times. Do you know what could be causing this? Can you help me? Thanks
@@simonsiron887 @Simon's Iron It sounds like it could be a few different things. Flux core being hollow is more delicate. In this order, make sure your wire reel is not too tight. If your machine is pulling the wire and the reel is dragging it will snap the wire at the drive rolls. Make sure you are using the serrated drive rolls (not the smooth groove) and the tension is not set too tight.
@@BrandonLund loosening up the reel a bit worked thank you so much
@@simonsiron887 Awesome!!!!! congratulations! 👍
Wow! So glad I watched this video. The best part was the understanding of when and when not to use either Flux or MIG welding (outdoor vs. indoor).
Thank you!
Just getting started with a HF flux welder. I am a rookie to welding and this was helpful advice
Thanks man glad to help!
@@BrandonLund I tried twice after watching videos. Yesterday after this one I went out and welded a couple 2 foot pieces of metal together and they are one with each other. I was missing the "go slow" part. It's ugly but it's progress
Thats awesome man. Baby steps! Your moving in the right direction. Practice practice practice
@@BrandonLund Thanks. In one day I went from really terrible to kinda terrible and I have worked my way up to pretty bad... I am shooting for tolerable by the weekend 🤣
Well for people just starting or self learning to weld the safety is no joke ! Waking up in the middle of the night with your eyes matted closed omg or quickie weld and one of those orange balls are dancing around and falls into the corner of your non leather tongue boot or wearing one of those jackets with the fuzzy stuff on it that you realized is quite flammable or that hole in your jeans with the strings hanging out. Never throw the lead over your shoulder unless you want to know what a hypodermic needle in the hip feels like. Ear plugs! Everyone cocks the head at an angle just a little bit and one of those sparks dead center of the ear drum makes for some real good fun. 🤔 That's pretty much all I've been through. All of it sucked really bad!
Appreciate the no nonsense approach to your teaching . After seeing the shortcomings of the 110 volt flux welder while using my friends setup trying to weld thicker metals ,I decided to get a 220 volt MIG from Harbor freight .
This is my first welding machine , I'm in the process of learning to do this and I'm on a budget .
With some of the money I saved I was able build a new dedicated circuit for the machine to make sure it had a proper sized breaker ,8 guage wires and that everything is safe and up to code .
I've already had people giving me crap for getting the Harbor freight MIG 170 and it's getting old- really fast .
I've noticed that those who've been welding for a while as a trade usually don't have that holier than thou attitude towards my purchase and in general they're pretty supportive and say exactly the same thing about it which is if I like doing it and want to do it for a living by all means work my way up to a better machines in time but that for what I'm doing this machine will be just fine for me .
Anyways I enjoyed the video 💯 and subbed to your channel .👍✌️
Thanks man and i apprecuate the sub. Real welders dont discourage others. Your 170.is 10x better than the 120 volt junk i started out on and guess what, that junk 120 volt welder made the thousands of dollars. Ignore those that think they know it all and dont let them discourage you. As someone that owns some of the best welders money can buy, the only real difference is somewhat subtle and usually the extra price is for those features and warranty. Enjoy your machine and be proud 👍
Thank you for giving a good all around summary of the best welder for each application. Your statement that you use the flux core MIG welder outside because the wind blows the gas away was useful information. I'm 78 years old and own a gas welder which I use on hobby projects. I started welding with a massive Stick Welder in High School which was great for thick material. I have felt the need recently to get the MIG and Stick welders I had been given operational so I could weld without gas or overheating the metal. Thanks again!
Thanks man! I'm a big fan of flux core welding @Kenneth Stevenson it's one of the first processes I learned on. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great thing to see you and I’m learning everyday. I have flux cored welding machine and always used it anywhere inside or outside. 👍
Right on
I love it playing with the telemarketers! I bought the Omni Pro 220 Vulcan welder when it was $749.00 it does everything I need it to do and pretty well for my skill level as a hobbyist. Good advice on managing the gas bottle. 😀🛫
I haven't tried the Omni Pro but I've heard good things and that is a great price!
@@BrandonLund I own 2 of the Vulcan Omni pro 220 welders as well as I have the multi process titanium there both good machines and they both have some amazing capabilities the titanium plasma cutter is awesome it can be setup to run on a plasma cnc table like Mike did on his channel which is @Mike Festiva
Lol the spam call😂. That was hilarious.
🤣😁 Thanks man!
Thank you, Brandon. I haven't gotten a welder yet so these are the kind of videos that are really helpful to me.
Thanks @awac45 next weeks episode will be right up your alley then! I just bought what I think is probably the best multi process welder you can buy for the money :)
I have used fluxcore at times out doors, but I still prefer dual shield fluxcore even out doors in light wind. It just welds better than regular self shield fluxcore wire. When you first start out welding on a
tight budget then a straight fluxcore welder or good old stick welder is where to start to learn how to weld. There is a whole lot more to this welding game than first meets the eye.
@Buce D I think that's excellent advise. I wish I would have touched on that in the video. My first process was on stick with an old buzz box. I think when you start with stick it builds muscle memory to read the puddle and it makes you appreciate wire feed welders so much more.
Wow, Brandon, this was outstanding. I'm subscribed to your channel, but somehow I missed this video. I can't understand how I missed this. Anyhow, you really helped me a bunch man! I have the same welder (Fronius Transteel 2200) you're using in this video, and the way you set it up step by step was so useful.
Wow, thank you! That Fronius is the Cadillac of welders for sure!
Thank you! This is exactly the video I've been looking for. All my questions have been answered now.
I'm glad i could help Kevin! 👊
Your point about being able to weld better with a cheap welder than a beginner with an expensive welder holds true in many areas. In photography I've seen people with very expensive cameras not be able to compose a shot and get a quality photo. On the other hand I can take a point and shoot camera and get a better photo only because of knowledge and most of all "PRACTICE."
Spot on and very well said!
This is awesome and super help full for someone like me who has never welded before.
Glas i could help. Thank you! 👍🙏
Brandon, I have a harbor freight wire feed welder, and I've converted it to DC welding, and put a Miller mig gun on it. I've not used it yet, but had to get a larger generator to run it. I've also upgraded the ground wire to heavier duty as well as the ground clamp. I bought it as scrap, and had to make my own side panels as the old ones were unavailable when I bought it.
@Bryant Fry That's awesome! I love those types of projects when you pick up something as scrap and turn it into something useful again. It's very rewarding. Nice job!
@@BrandonLund I've watched others do the same thing, but some made holes in their welder to upgrade it, but the only hole I made was in the back of the welder for the power cord, as it was originally brought out through the front. I used a block of plastic where the wire feed gun attached, drilled a hole in the front for the Miller mig gun, and put a knob on the inside to secure it in place. I look forward to trying it out in the near future.
@Bryan Fry Pretty crafty! I don't know if you have Facebook but I'd love to see you post some details on my page when your done. This could help others and give them some ideas 👍
What a great personality and teaching style.
Thank you! 😃
I finally got the hang of flux core welding it's actually easier than you think it is Bob Elkhart Indiana thanks for your videos they really helped out
@Bob D. Fletcher Jr Thanks man! I love flux core welding. It has a lot of simularities to stick welding.
Thank you for the encouragement ...on the flux core ... just want I needed...i just bought one. Thank you for sharing...from South Africa
Thanks and I'm glad I could help!
I like this guy
Thanks man!
That scam call was great!....Laughed my ass off!...great video!
Thank you 😊
I traded for a Lincoln mig that was setup for flux and ended up doing 95% of my work outside off a small generator, it ended up being the perfect process for me.
yah i like flux a lot for that same reason. You can do a lot.
Hey bud I just want to see right off thank you I ain't worried I ain't embarrassed about having a wire feed welder now thank you just invite me to what I feel better now I didn't know I was feeling bad because I always thought the steak was a high quality better one but thank you for clearing that up you're freaking awesome
Right on
Thank you. Excellent tips. I do have a flux core welder from Harbor Freight, and use it for outside welding, and thick metal welding.
I use my HF flux core welder pretty regularly too. I love it!
Appreciate the information. I've been setting up my welder wrong. I was getting "birdsnesting" and thought my welder was junk. Pretty excited to get in the shop tomorrow. Thanks.
Glad I could help!
People will find a way to make others feel down and make themselves feel bigger, theyre good machines to learn on and have fun with thats what matters. Especially for someone just starting out its good and weld very good
Thanks man! Very true unfortunately.
Purchased the harbor freight platinum flux welder and a helmet. Still in box a year later. Need to practice. Got it for automotive exhaust work
Very nice!
thank you for the informative videos and all those little things you bring. I appreciate it( I AM A BEGINNER). God bless.
You are so welcome! God Bless you!
I love my Everlast flux core welder from Harbor freight, I’m only a newbie so it’s perfect for me 👍
@Ruben Vargas right on!. You will probably enjoy this weeks episode then. I test out a bunch of wire using a HF welder and I'm actually switching brands after 5 years based on the test results!
If you buy a Lincoln you can buy upgrades kits to add gas and aluminum welding.
Thats pretty sweet!
As a complete noob beginner, I can't yet even call myself a welder, I haven't even plugged it in yet, I came here for some beginner tips on welding, and was happily surprised to get a lesson on how to handle scammers. LMAO, that was hilarious. I have a YESWELDER 5 in 1 welder, and am going to try FCAW first, then maybe some plasma cutting.
Right on man im glad i was able to help! Thats a nice machine! Enjoy!
Your great sir i love that from philippines
Thank you 👊
Knowledge is Power!!!
Right on!
Thank you for your help. I'll keep watching
Thanks man! Glad to help!
I'm just getting started with welding. I have a project I want to work on. I got the steel.. 2" square tube. It is 0.125" thick. I have a HB Flux core welder. For better "penetration", would it make sense for me to grind a 45° edge on each of my pieces before connecting? This will allow me to fill the gap I have created, rather than bonding the outside edges of the pieces and hoping it has penetrated properly.
You welder will have no problem with penetration on that thickness material. You don't have to bevel the metal but it doesnt hurt either.
Wow thank you for the info it’s a big help on my Hobart.
I got information from you I didn’t really get from anybody else. Thanks again I’m going go test my new knowledge👍
@Dave D Glad I could help :)
Brandon I’m addicted and have been for 60 yrs with making things from models to racing cars rally cars my eyes have a mind of there own now after welding grinding and the odd battery explosion the old peepers have suffered a bit but I can still see a beautiful women at 50 ft stay safe another great vid 😂👍👨🏻🏭🇬🇧
@Paul Paleschi thanks man! I consider myself lucky. I guess as we get older we start thinking more about safety. I'm just lucky I haven't been seriously injured so I try to pass on my good fortune to others.
Excellent. Gig help, you answered lots of questions. Thanks 👍🏼
Thanks man!
Great tips on welder set up
Thanks 👍
Thanks for the video,, And if you need to weld outdoors in a breeze you'll be happy you have a flux core welder !!
I've used a flux core for many years and still do at times.
Thanks again !!
Thanks Ron!
Great Video. I got a combo 110/240amp welder that has the easy ability to shift polarity just by switching the cables in the front of the machine. I also like the tack weld 2P or 4P capability.
It's super handy!
Thanks for talking about safety, seen too many people get a piece of wire, chipped slag or sliver of metal in their eyes from not protecting themselves properly.
The Hobart 210 can work off 120/240.
Thanks man! I try not to come off as preachy but im also thankful that I haven't been seriously injured so its a fine line when I try to pass along my good fortune. Yah that Hobart 210 is a nice unit. If I were to do it again I would probably save a little longer and get the 210 just for the extra amperage.
Tri mix is also a good setup for gas it makes super clean welds on most metals @Brandon Lund
Hello,
I have the Transsteel 2200. I noticed in the video you mentioned the Polarity Settings were done by the welder... this is not correct.
Selfshielded Fluxcore requires the leads being plugged into front panel DCEN.
Brandon you are the man!!!! Thank you so much for giving thorough instruction!
Any time!
thank you for your informative videos....from the Philippines
@richie redoblado thanks man I appreciate it! 🙏
most definitley safety first and i so agree with eye protection ive had steel pieces slag dust wood spikes and weld flash at least 25 times and after the last time wont let it happen again 3 days not seeing properly is no fun and as you get older it gets worse
Getting hurt is no fun for sure. Eye injuries are terrible!
I’m glad I gave one no gas and I don’t care. First time I used it I did a lot of homework/videos how to use it and was feeling confident, then I nearly burned down my aunts garage. LOL
Those sparks will get you every time! Im glad everyone's ok 👍
VERY good video Brandon! I’m a staunch fan of many HF Tools and specifically, their Titanium Welders certainly ARE great products. It was wonderful to see you positively communicate this point! Plus their warranties are bomb proof and easily exchanged if you have an issue. Just commend you for supporting individuals with cost saving purchases in mind to get the job done! Mine kept me going for years until I could afford more. Cheers.
Thanks man! I'm all about saving money and using affordable equipment. I had a HF welder many many years ago. It made me tons of money. Im not proud. If it can make me money and pay for itself, im sold.
I am a beginner and you put out great info 👍🏼
Thanks you so much Luis!
Appreciate your help
Anytime! 👍
Flux core welding is really good it's actually stronger than MIG welding from what I understood it's very good it's like stick welding but you got the flux in The Wire once you get used to it it's white putting peanut butter on a piece of bread it's very easy I've got both Mig or flux and the one I use the most is flex Bob Elkhart
thanks so much brandon for the great video again, helps a lot. greetings from frankfurt, germany
@ne ta My pleasure and thanks for watching!
Thank you sir, love my everlast 125 flux core welding from Harbor freight
Good choice!
I have every sort of welder & still use flux-core for 90% of my work. Key with flux is to get good wire. Bad wire will make you think it/you are rubbish - usually it's the wire. Buy good wire.
Spot on!
Thanks, i learn a lot from this. My machine cable is too short, if i want to upgrade the length from 2m to 4m, what other parts should i upgrade too? How about the drive motor, can i use other type of motor, for example rs775 or rs895?
Thank you! As far as what interchanges with your machine I don't know.
I noticed that you suggested in this video to purchase the 10 lb wire spools. While waiting for my new MIG welder to arrive I have been watching UA-cam MIG welder videos trying to learn about MIG welding. I watched one from another channel but he didn't recommend for the hobbyist MIG welder to purchase the 10 lb wire spools since the wire will corrode over time without being in a climate controlled garage. He only recommended purchasing the 10 lb spool of wire if you were going to use it all fairly quickly. What are you thoughts on hobbyist welder purchasing the 10 lb wire spools? Does MIG wire corrode fairly rapidly? Thank you for sharing your welding knowledge by making these videos. I find them very helpful and entertaining.
Thanks Greg. The wire will get an oxide layer in real humid climates like ours here in Maine but it rarely penetrates beyond the outside few wraps around the reel. If you think you might not weld very often than the smaller reel might be the better choice even it costs you a bit more.
nuke... brought back bad bad memories. lots of SSBN/SSN reactor compartment time from an AS.
Right on@ Let's Go
Thanks for sharing with us Brandon. 🙏🏻🙏🏻👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👋👋
@OLD DAWG DREAMING thanks brother and I appreciate your continued support!
Brilliant video, thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge, definitely going to give flux core a go now 👍🏻
Go for it! Thanks man!
"If you don't have em, you should have em, grab em" : Brandon Lund, dating tips
Hahahahaha I love it! 🤣🤣🤣😎👍
You are a brilliant!
Thank you!
Hi Brandon. Thanks for for tips. I own a Hobart 140 and was working fine one minute and then when l pulled the trigger nothing. Machine came on but no wire. Am sure it has to do with circuit board. Any thoughts?
It's probably something very simple. I'm pretty sure the 140 does not have a board so it's probaly just a simple switch in the gun
I love my Hobart 190 welder 👍👍👍
Hobart is good stuff! For a while they when they merged they were coming through with Miller stamped on the stingers.
Another great video.. love when you put these calls in the video's 🤣🤣🤣 I have a Millermatic 130xp, for around my garage, I run flux core most of the time.. But I also use mig wire and gas, like you said less clean up with mig. But both are great.. love the channel man. Great videos wish UA-cam was around when I started.. so informative have a great day and thanks for sharing your knowledge 👍🍻
Thanks Pat! I appreciate your support! When I started UA-cam hadn't been conceived yet so I understand 😁
I like your content in your videos. Could you please make a video if one can plug welding with flux core, let’s say 10 mm rebar to a plate?
Thanks man! I do have a plug welding video but not with 10mm....it's a TIG video but I will see what I can do. Thank you!
Wow Brandon what a great video I learned so much . Thanks for what you do. Brother
Thanks man! I appreciate your support! @bblikesfish
oh yeah no problem! Thank you I actually welded up my second trailer today . I had no idea the difference between flex core wire and solid argon wire and rewire the welder.1st trailer I used argon and solid.The second I used flex core and rewired the welder I was out of gas.Both are done. Thank you very much!
Hey man I just noticed you recently subscribed to the channel. Thanks man! You rock. I appreciate it! 🙏
Great video, and love the spam call!
@Ron Washburn I love messing with them. It's cheap entertainment for me hahaha
Very informative. Thanks man
You bet
I bought a welder 3 years ago from Amazon. Just opened it and tried it after 3 years. Its china special, flux core only 110v ,transformer type. opened it up to check polarity and its hard wired , cant change it. Am I screwed or do they wire it right from the factory? Thanks for the video , this is my 2nd time watching it.
It should be wired from the factory.
also for whatever reason i cant seem to set the temperature on this thing..maybe its too hot or too cold idk theres only a small voltage that goes from -3 to +3 and the only thing i can seem to adjust is the wire speed.
Thats odd. The plus minus adds or subtracts voltage but you should be able to control volts somewhere
Great video, and now I feel less guilty using the bottom of my machine as storage. Yo should make a video with all the scamcalls, that will be a lot of fun.
@chevylization thanks man! Some people like it and some don't. I personally like that they entertain me. I actually have quite a few videos with these little tid bits in them but I've done so many I don't recall which ones. I think I should put a montage together like you suggested at some point.
Just picked up a Harbor freight welder. I flip cars and tired of paying the body guy for metal work. Going to start welding my own panels to save money
Thats awesome man! They are perfect for the money!
Bruh, rock rooster are awesome. Thanks for the review way back when. Ive been wearing mine every day since I've got them and I absolutely love them.
Thanks brother! I only share stuff that I believe in so I appreciate you sharing your experience. I wear mine every day too 😁. Super comfortable 😁
I am welding 1/8” steel tubing to 1/4” steel tubing so how can I get proper welds without burning through the 1/8
Focus your weld metal more onto the thicker material and wash it down onto the thinner stuff. It takes practice but you will get it.
I'm not ashamed of my Harbor Freight flux core welder but I am ashamed of the piss poor wire feed! Any suggestions for replacement of crappy plastic part that just wont clamp tight enough to make it happen? Great vid Brandon!👌👍💪
Thanks man I appreciate it! I'm not sure but I'm betting you could probably pick up a complete metal setup on amazon for cheap. They are probably all basically the same if you can find a picture to match it up.
@@BrandonLund So far all I've seen on Amazon is more plastic, but I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks!😀👍
That’s good lmao good job on the scamer
Thanks Blake!
hey you promote yesweld 135. i just received mine and there is no chart. now you show other welders why not setup on the yeswelder 135? i watch 2 videos of you with it but no information on wire speed or volts?
I am in no way in control of what yes welder ships or sends with their equipment. I can only speak of the models that I've purchased and I have not purchased a 135 so I have no idea what's included with that welder. I do have a video showing amperage and voltage on a YesWelder and here is the time marked video clip of that ua-cam.com/video/2ns3HLXDZsE/v-deo.html
Over the past two years I've been through three of the harbor freight welders please spend the money and get a welder that's a little bit better the Harbor Freight ones are great to learn with if you use them very minimal I now have a metal man mp140t welder 10 times better and it is a MIG TIG and stick another option is the aluminum gun with that it comes with the gas lines gas gauges and everything for it
@Gabe Martin I have never used any of their welders in the past 20 years so I cant comment either way. Did they go good for it?
@@BrandonLund the first one crapped out on me just after 6 months I did not buy the warranty second one I bought the warranty so if you're interested I would like donate a brand-new Harbor Freight flux core welder to your channel for you to use and abuse and make your own opinion of them email me if you're interested I think it could be some good content for you
I miss the Miller welding calculator App that used to be on Android so bummed that it was removed for newer phones @Brandon Lund
I was bummed too. Now I have to go to their website @Antonio Claudio Michael
Brilliant video thank u 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
You are very welcome, Thank you! @BRENT Smith 🙏😁👍
LOVE YOUR WORK
Thamks Glenn! 👍
I’m using the 110v yeswelder fluxcore, and the wire feeder isn’t spinning at all when I press the button, I’ve disconnected and reconnected and even after it not working for a lil made sure to really tighten it in and still wasn’t working, can anyone help?
Sounds like the trigger in the gun is not making contact which you can test using a multi meter OR the conections inside the machine aren't activating the motor. Your best bet if it's not the switch is to contact YesWelder and let them know whats going on. It could still be under warranty
Question what do you look for when setting voltage
The voltage is determined by the arc length while you are welding. .030 solid wire requires around 15 to 17 volts. If your voltage is too high you will have a turbulent weld puddle. Too low and you will have poor arc starts and lack of penetration.