is a 90 amp flux welder enough for a bumper build? or should i get the 170? wanting to build my own bumpers. and put a receiver in the rear? would the 90 amp be a strong enough weld? thanks in advance.

 

If you can afford the 170, get it.

 

I've seen great welds done with a 90. Depends on the person welding. You can do 1/4 thick no problem. Anything thicker is not worth the trouble with a 90.

 

If your talking about a harbor freight welder dont get it, not worth the it and i wouldn't trust it for something like your building (coming from someone with that welder with welding experience)

 

I have a 120v 90amp welder that I use for sheet metal and exhaust. For anything bigger I have a 220v 250amp mig. A 90amp welder will weld 1/4" plate but you won't get great penetration and I wouldn't trust it for a bumper that's made for anything more than looks. And if it only uses flux wire skip it all together, that stuff is a pain to use and won't make as nice a bead as a mig with gas.

 

As a welder for 15 years, when we decide how hot to weld, or picking which appropriate machine, we keep this rule in mind, one amp equal .001 of thickness, so 90 amps would be good for up to .090 thickness, which is less than 1/8 thick. You would have to lay down multiple passes to make that bumper strong enough. Word of advice, buy the biggest u can afford, because u just never know what type of projects u would do in the future. Have fun on your build regardless of size of machine u do decide to choose! Happy welding