Newbee

Hey Brian- Hopefully we all learned our lesson a while back about criticizing others' welding skills. I'm thinking you may consider playing with it for a while and then stop to pull up some good Youtube instructional videos, take a break and then play some more. It takes a steady hand and hours and hours of practice, so please don't get discouraged if your progress seems too slow. The cool thing is that all but the worst of welding mistakes can be ground off and redone, or at the bare minimum made to look a little prettier with a grinder. Am I correct in assuming it is a wire-feed machine? And are you using gas or flux-core wire? Just wondering...Best of luck buddy!

Tom, Thanks for the encouraging words. I will be using Flux core wire feed. Setup table last night. unpacked welder and read manual cover to cover. I need to change out my 15 amp breaker with a 20 amp in my garage/shop. before I start to practice.Looks like a other trip to the hardware store.

Brian, you're probably fine with the breaker you have - it's not likely that you'll be running your welder at full power for any length of time while you are building the 'kart, and the breaker ratings are conservative. Which said, I'm not a pro, and shouldn't be discouraging you from doing the right thing. Just letting you know that my practical experience suggests you can run a few practice beads without much concern The "hot metal glue gun" is fun!

Thanks Derek, I think I should upgrade to 20 amps for all the other shop gadgets I am starting to collect. I Will need to check if I have the proper gauge wire 12 gauge I think, and change the outlet for 20 amp. Hey I can always run an extension from our washer outlet if I have a clean shirt.

Brian- Derek is right about the circuit breaker, if it is too small for the load, then it will simply be tripping constantly and you won't be able to get anything done. That will be your "red flag" that it is under-rated. You definitely should install the 20 amp, but at your convenience- practice welding won't be running much of a "duty cycle" and should not stress things at all. Unless your home is really old or was a build-it-yourself project, the cable for those outlets should be #12, but it is simple to verify that. As for the flux-core system, it should work fine with a caveat or two. I didn't have the funds for a big gas welder myself and our kart has for the most part not fallen apart yet. The machine I used is a small Craftsman 120v flux-core setup just like yours that I keep in my work trailer for jobsite use. It is really handy to have around when I am not close to a 240v outlet and need to fix a commercial door frame or somw wrought iron, etc. That being said, going straight flux-core, I have found

Brian I started out with stick welding. when we added a mig welder to our toys I had always difficulties seeing inside the hotspot so i couldn't see where I was welding. since then we upgraded to an automatic vizier / helmet. I still couldn't see till i blocked of the light coming from behind in the mask. and then I saw the light. HaHa. now i could see where i welded. And could start off while I could see where my tool was. I don't know if you have an automatic helmet. but if not its a good investment and it will improve your welding. Your learning curve will rise quickly. Plus you will not look into the flame so much anymore. Henny

Thanks Henny for the info. I am using a Auto helmetwith a flux welder and am having the same problemsWith seeing as you described. Will make some more welds today with your added wisdom. Thanks

I don't know how is missed this journal post. Good job Brian! I'm envious! I've been wanting to learn this skill as long as I can remember, just never pulled the trigger. There always seemed to be something shinier checking my attention. Like a dog noticing a squirrel! Anyway, keep up the good work!