Welding thread!!!!
01-04-2016, 02:45 PM
#1531
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lennox/Sioux Falls South Dakota
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 liter inline 6
i have that 140c. great machine. but yeah, get a 220v that can put out 180a and up. that miller 211 is a perfect choice for you.
also, get a good auto helmet. not a cheap one. spend around 200 bux.
grab some decent welding gloves that aren't too thick but not too thin. get good coverage.
and last but not least, a set of leathers. you don't have to go all out here, just some sleeves would suffice.
you don't need the sleeves right away, but don't wear your favorite long sleeve shirt to weld in. lol.
also, get a good auto helmet. not a cheap one. spend around 200 bux.
grab some decent welding gloves that aren't too thick but not too thin. get good coverage.
and last but not least, a set of leathers. you don't have to go all out here, just some sleeves would suffice.
you don't need the sleeves right away, but don't wear your favorite long sleeve shirt to weld in. lol.
01-04-2016, 03:06 PM
#1532
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WNY
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So I thought I'd post here and ask you guys that have been doing this awhile. I'm coming up towards the end of my build, and having no welding experience I had to pay someone to do all the welding. It wasn't expensive, and he isn't a novice. Just want to get your opinions before I actually put this Jeep on the road and put hard miles on it. All welds were with a mig, in a garage that's setup properly electrical wise to handle it effectively. That's all I know.
He did the 8.8 tubes, all the brackets for the 8.8, the front C gussets, front track bar bracket, steering linkage, front mini skids. I'm not worried about most of that as its not critical (like mini skids and tubes), but I don't want my TB bracket or steering to come loose at 70mph on the highway this winter.
Let me know if you think the welds are ok enough to be safe, I don't care about looks as its all going to painted anyway:
He did the 8.8 tubes, all the brackets for the 8.8, the front C gussets, front track bar bracket, steering linkage, front mini skids. I'm not worried about most of that as its not critical (like mini skids and tubes), but I don't want my TB bracket or steering to come loose at 70mph on the highway this winter.
Let me know if you think the welds are ok enough to be safe, I don't care about looks as its all going to painted anyway:
01-04-2016, 04:20 PM
#1537
::CF Administrator::
01-04-2016, 09:45 PM
#1539
::CF Administrator::
Anywho, got the packer back in the truck, wrapped up some loose ends, and got the sensors for the hydraulics hooked back up. Everything is running boobies. Got the last hydraulic ram for the tail gate in today, but too late to do anything with. But the truck will be gone tomorrow, and the next one comes in to take it's place, LOL
A couple pics of the packer in th truck, sorry for the rez on the second one, digital zoom...
...and a vid of the packer working after the sensors were adjusted:
01-08-2016, 09:57 PM
#1540
::CF Administrator::
Just some more stuff I worked on this week...
Different truck, but another packer repair...
My compadre scarfing out some old shoes on the bottom of the baler...we took turns, LOL
Different truck, but another packer repair...
My compadre scarfing out some old shoes on the bottom of the baler...we took turns, LOL
01-12-2016, 02:57 AM
#1541
No, I don't lick fish.
For those who are using the crappy Harbor Freight 90 Amp flux welder.
1) Understand that Flux core wire, or FCAW, welders are meant to be DCEN - or DC Electrode Negetive. Unfortunately, these welders are AC welders. It's still possible to use these welders, but no matter what, the torch is going to put out a lot of slag (even with good quality wire), and it's not going to weld as smooth as a proper DCEN FCAW. Due to the current alternating back and forth.
2) You MUST use a 20 amp outlet... not 15... 20. If you don't have 15 amp, DO NOT use the MAX heat setting.
3) If using an extension cord, it also must be 20 amp
4) If it seems like you're not getting enough penetration, it's because you're not. Hold the torch in place for a second or two until you see a puddle form, then move it back and forth in a "stab" or "push/pull" motion. I started using this technique and I began to get a lot better welds out of that little buzz box.
Before:
They're probably never going to be "beautiful", but you can get it to work for you if you learn the tool.
All in all, unless you've already (done what I did and...) wasted your money on one of these because of lack of research prior to buying it, do what ya can with what you've got. Understand that it is very limited though. If not, go for a better welder. Hobart, Miller, Lincoln... yeah... better.
1) Understand that Flux core wire, or FCAW, welders are meant to be DCEN - or DC Electrode Negetive. Unfortunately, these welders are AC welders. It's still possible to use these welders, but no matter what, the torch is going to put out a lot of slag (even with good quality wire), and it's not going to weld as smooth as a proper DCEN FCAW. Due to the current alternating back and forth.
2) You MUST use a 20 amp outlet... not 15... 20. If you don't have 15 amp, DO NOT use the MAX heat setting.
3) If using an extension cord, it also must be 20 amp
4) If it seems like you're not getting enough penetration, it's because you're not. Hold the torch in place for a second or two until you see a puddle form, then move it back and forth in a "stab" or "push/pull" motion. I started using this technique and I began to get a lot better welds out of that little buzz box.
Before:
They're probably never going to be "beautiful", but you can get it to work for you if you learn the tool.
All in all, unless you've already (done what I did and...) wasted your money on one of these because of lack of research prior to buying it, do what ya can with what you've got. Understand that it is very limited though. If not, go for a better welder. Hobart, Miller, Lincoln... yeah... better.
Last edited by Basslicks; 01-12-2016 at 03:01 AM.
01-12-2016, 06:29 AM
#1542
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I don't want to quote the whole post, but I'm very happy with my cheap harbor freight welder. No it's not as good as the other welders, but that's the point because I don't have the money, space, or power for a bigger machine. I use my welder for lawn mowers, and little stuff all the time. No it isn't perfect but I knew what I was getting before I got it. If I need something serious done, my sisters boyfriend has a tig and stick matching at his house and I can either borrow or get him to weld stuff up for me. I don't regret buying the machine I bought. That thing has made me more money than I paid for it.
01-14-2016, 11:35 PM
#1545
No, I don't lick fish.
Do you not have a 220v dryer at your house? That's where most people with larger welders at home plug them in at.