Im new so i dont know if this the right spot for this but just wanted to know if u guys think this would be a good welder to fab a front bumper
also im just starting out welding
This Northern Industrial Welders 125 flux core welder is capable of welding 18-gauge up to 3/16in. mild steel for light industrial applications. It provides a rated output of 80 Amps @ 115V DC, 20% duty cycle and uses AC single phase (110/120V) power. Bonus kit includes MIG pliers, 2 mini magnets, leather apron and How-To DVD

Features + Benefits

• Welds 18-gauge up to 3/16in. mild steel for light industrial applications<LI class=odd>Use with flux core welding only
• Rated output 80 Amps @ 115V DC, 20% duty cycle<LI class=odd>Uses AC single phase (110/120V), 60 Hz/20 Amp with time-delayed fuse and circuit breaker
• Trigger-activated arc for electrically cold wire when not welding<LI class=odd>Two heat settings, infinite wire speed control, overload and thermal protection
• Includes 0.030in. contact tips

Key Specs

Volts
115Amps
30–125Duty Cycle
20% 80 AmpsWire Feed Speed Control
InfiniteWeldable Metals
Mild steelWeld Thickness (in.)
18-gauge to 3/16in. steelClamp Cable Length (ft.)
6.5Welding Wire Diameter (in.)
.030 and .035Power Cord (ft.)
6.5

 

Shop around, in Canada there is many choices at this level (110v wire feed) I held out for the 220v but it may be too many rooble$ for you. You can do alot with just the 110 tho. Look for more current and wire speed contol tho...just two options may leave you wanting...nvermind I see a dial there. Looks good

 

I doubt you want a 20% duty cycle. That means you can weld 2 minutes out of every 10 minutes also if your making a beefy bumper or any other heavy duty upgrades your going to need .045 flux core with shielding gas. If you use inner-shield you best be prepared to do lots of grinding.

 

With multi pass you can go fairly thick. I only use the .035 wire and I could go .045 but had a hard time getting good welds from it (operator problems more than welder) small wire seemed friendlier. Gas can be kinda spendy and 220 was 700 bucks on sale whereas the 110 can be less than half....so carry on and make some sparks on a budget and see what happens. I get alot of my steel from a used steel place and have been quite successful. As for the duty cycle, it may not be a problem as you do more prep and checking welds than welding anyway so...duty cycle is rated for max power and is extended with lower settings btw

 

Ok true. I've been welding for 3yrs and I'm now certified gnaw tig stick and flux. But when I get started on any project I get everything prepped, marked, cut, and cleaned. So that with a buddy double checking for square and level, I can finish the welding asap to prevent warping.

 

I would suggest bumping to their next level welder at least, the 135 I think? With that model you have posted, you only have wire speed to adjust. The heat is either high or low, and it's always better to have more options when setting your welder.

With that being said, can you make a bumper with that welder you have posted? Probably so.....it's just not going to be as clean or as efficient as a more adjustable welder.

 

Why would you use gas and flux core? It's one or the other. .035 is good for just about everything but 24ga, then I use .030. If you pre-heat your metal, you will get better penetration with the 110v. I had a handler140 110v and welded 3/16 all the time, it all how you prep anyway. Sorry just my .02

 

Sorry, I have to jump on a soapbox when I see posts asking what kind of welder to buy. I know we're all on a budget, but I can assure you, a 110 welder is just not that great for any kind of "real" fabrication project. Welding with fluxcore pretty much sucks unless you have an awesome machine and you're pretty proficient. At the very least, you should try and get a brand-name machine. Your likelyhood of having a stable power supply is much better than with some Harbor Freight special from China. Welding with flux is DC + and your rectifier has to be very nicely balanced or it will look like crap. Not to mention whatever you weld is liable to fall apart cuz the weld didn't really take. If you can't afford a proper welder, why not buy, cut, and fit all your metal, then haul it over to some local guy who can weld it up all nice for cheap. Lotsa small shops will take just about any work they can get these days. Ok off the soapbox now.

 

If you take you're project to someone else to weld, how will you learn? I say save you're pennies get a good welder, and have the guy show you how to use it. Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a life time. Guess that makes .04

P.s. Flux core is for hand rails and flag poles. .06

 

If you actually wanna learn, and justify the investment of a proper welder, then by all means do so. But I see guys going and buying a welder, tube bender, notcher, plasma torch, etc, just to work on ONE JEEP!!! (theirs) I don't know about you, but if I spend that kind of money setting up a fab shop I am sure as hell going to put it to work for me. Which is why I suggest patronizing the guy who already spent the money, knows how to weld, and needs to make a buck. 110 powered "hobby welders" just don't cut it for most stuff on a Jeep. Folks are still convinced it's the cheap way to go, but I've seen the welds....

 

I just bought a Millermatic 135 welder from a pawn shop for $350. Its in very good condition and retails brand new for $700+.

 

I see your point. For me, I use the heck out of my equipment and hate buying pre- fab parts. Of course I think they have all paid for them selves.

 

That's a good buy! And a good welder.

 

I'd use the search button for "welder".

Tons of these threads pop up all the time.

 

Save your money and find a good used welder, something that runs on 220 if you can run it. Been using the same Millermatic 210 for over 25 years and it still works great. I have welded everything from a bulldozer cutting edge to body sheet metal and never had a problem with it. Find some one that knows how to weld well and see if they will let you watch (best way to learn) if not you may be able to pick up the basics at a local school night class (emphasis on basics). Good luck.