randomvictum t1_j0xxknt wrote on December 20, 2022 at 5:54 AM

Reply to comment by richriggins in I made a honeycomb firewood rack by richriggins

Did you get your machine for $300? I've debated getting into this and would be open to suggestions.

marsrover001 t1_j0yt91c wrote on December 20, 2022 at 12:42 PM

Harbor freight, get the $150 flux core wire feed welder. $80 auto darkening helmet (the one that comes with the welder is garbage) $22 spool of flux core wire. $8 gloves. $free some old long sleeved shirt.

Have at it. Yeah your welds aren't gonna look great. But by the 2nd spool you should have the hang of it.

captain_carrot t1_j0yy0n5 wrote on December 20, 2022 at 1:28 PM

I'd recommend getting an actual welding jacket with a protective snap collar and made out of actual fire resistant material. I think I got mine off Amazon for like $20, it doesn't need to be anything fancybut after the first couple hot pieces of slag got down my collar I learned my lesson lol

randomvictum t1_j19c5go wrote on December 22, 2022 at 4:59 PM

I had been looking at a Forney MIG welder for about $300 but yeah that Harbour Freight is hard to beat. You have and use that exact machine?

marsrover001 t1_j19p1j0 wrote on December 22, 2022 at 6:22 PM

I do. Still have yet to upgrade as despite some spatter it still handles fine. Gone all the way to 1/4in and still got acceptable strong welds.

I'm about to do some frame rails and I don't think I'll get enough penetration, so I'll be borrowing the neighbors stick welder that runs on 220v. But other than that I've not needed anything different.

Grinder and paint, hides it fine.