Welding thread!!!!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Never welded before, but looking to pick it up and learn, the bumper definitely won't be one of the first things I do, I plan on a lot of practice and little projects before that. Plus I wouldn't mind meeting up with some people that actually know how to weld, and picking up some tips from them besides just learning stuff by reading and YouTube.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i have a really nice 140a lincoln 110v welder. it's the 140c from a welding shop and i wouldn't use it for anything more than welding up exhaust and body panels.
if you're building a recovery bumper, you need to use at least 180a 230v machine with good penetration. last thing you want is your welds to pull free and have a flying projectile heading towards injury.
i have a 210a thermal arc fabricator for any bumper/suspension or cage work.
if i feel i need a heavier bead, i will fire up the lincoln ranger dc stick welder.
i have yet to use my tig for anything on the jeep yet.
so even if you just grab a home depot lincoln 180, use that and nothing less.
the better the welder, the better the welds.
if you're building a recovery bumper, you need to use at least 180a 230v machine with good penetration. last thing you want is your welds to pull free and have a flying projectile heading towards injury.
i have a 210a thermal arc fabricator for any bumper/suspension or cage work.
if i feel i need a heavier bead, i will fire up the lincoln ranger dc stick welder.
i have yet to use my tig for anything on the jeep yet.
so even if you just grab a home depot lincoln 180, use that and nothing less.
the better the welder, the better the welds.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: Lapeer, Murder Mitten
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Has anyone ever repaired an auto darkening helmet? I have a TSC Ironman and seems if the batteries are dead/won't charge. Did a Goog search and only found referance to a HF hood. It mentioned a little rewire and adding a small battery pack, such as 2 AA or maybe it was AAA.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 1
From: Warren, Pa
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
i have a really nice 140a lincoln 110v welder. it's the 140c from a welding shop and i wouldn't use it for anything more than welding up exhaust and body panels.
if you're building a recovery bumper, you need to use at least 180a 230v machine with good penetration. last thing you want is your welds to pull free and have a flying projectile heading towards injury.
i have a 210a thermal arc fabricator for any bumper/suspension or cage work.
if i feel i need a heavier bead, i will fire up the lincoln ranger dc stick welder.
i have yet to use my tig for anything on the jeep yet.
so even if you just grab a home depot lincoln 180, use that and nothing less.
the better the welder, the better the welds.
if you're building a recovery bumper, you need to use at least 180a 230v machine with good penetration. last thing you want is your welds to pull free and have a flying projectile heading towards injury.
i have a 210a thermal arc fabricator for any bumper/suspension or cage work.
if i feel i need a heavier bead, i will fire up the lincoln ranger dc stick welder.
i have yet to use my tig for anything on the jeep yet.
so even if you just grab a home depot lincoln 180, use that and nothing less.
the better the welder, the better the welds.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
From: las vegas, nv
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 H.O, 99 manifold, APN header, neon injectors, cowl intake, screamin demon ignition system
Hoping some on here have some experience with FCAW. I have a cheapo 90 amp flux welder. I've heard from several sources that a better wire can make quite a difference with it.
Please don't make suggestions like "get a better welder" or "go get a MIG". Obviously if I could do that, I'd have done it by now.
Can anyone point me in the right direction on good brands of flux-core wire? I've heard good things about Lincoln Electric wire. I've heard the Hobart wire is "okay". I heard INE is a good wire made in Italy, but then someone said that Chicago Electric (harbor freight) branded wire is made by INE so I have my doubts.
Maybe I'm in the wrong thread with this question, but even you hardcore welders weren't awesome on the first arc.
Please don't make suggestions like "get a better welder" or "go get a MIG". Obviously if I could do that, I'd have done it by now.
Can anyone point me in the right direction on good brands of flux-core wire? I've heard good things about Lincoln Electric wire. I've heard the Hobart wire is "okay". I heard INE is a good wire made in Italy, but then someone said that Chicago Electric (harbor freight) branded wire is made by INE so I have my doubts.
Maybe I'm in the wrong thread with this question, but even you hardcore welders weren't awesome on the first arc.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 356
From: Andover, VT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
I've also heard that upgrading the ground clamp can help also. My friends and I have a community HF welder that we pass around and have done a few projects with but haven't upgraded it yet. Next time I need it I plan on getting Lincoln wire and a good ground clamp.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1
From: Carrollton, GA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Makes sense. I'll probably try to find the best deal I possibly can on a larger unit or ideally a dual unit would be perfect. Thanks for the help guys
No, I don't lick fish.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 3
From: California
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Near Billings Montana
Year: 95
Model: Grand Cherokee
Hoping some on here have some experience with FCAW. I have a cheapo 90 amp flux welder. I've heard from several sources that a better wire can make quite a difference with it.
Please don't make suggestions like "get a better welder" or "go get a MIG". Obviously if I could do that, I'd have done it by now.
Can anyone point me in the right direction on good brands of flux-core wire? I've heard good things about Lincoln Electric wire. I've heard the Hobart wire is "okay". I heard INE is a good wire made in Italy, but then someone said that Chicago Electric (harbor freight) branded wire is made by INE so I have my doubts.
Maybe I'm in the wrong thread with this question, but even you hardcore welders weren't awesome on the first arc.
Please don't make suggestions like "get a better welder" or "go get a MIG". Obviously if I could do that, I'd have done it by now.
Can anyone point me in the right direction on good brands of flux-core wire? I've heard good things about Lincoln Electric wire. I've heard the Hobart wire is "okay". I heard INE is a good wire made in Italy, but then someone said that Chicago Electric (harbor freight) branded wire is made by INE so I have my doubts.
Maybe I'm in the wrong thread with this question, but even you hardcore welders weren't awesome on the first arc.
As for wire, I've used Lincoln wire professionally and had good results.
Another choice would be ESAB Coreshield 11.
Lastly, to be a really good welder requires a ton of practice so don't be afraid to burn wire on scrap pieces BEFORE you dive into your Jeep projects!
Hope this helps, shoot me a PM if you have any other questions!
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!
Ron