whoa.. just told my son that I was learning somethinng new at 69 and thought that was cool... you got me beat...luv it

very much appreciate the tips here, thanks for taking the time. friend of mine welds helicopters, so i can appreciate the skills. thx!

Thanks for the education. I was about to laugh at this guy because my welding was about as the same. But reading your comment it helped me to run a couple decent beads today. I feel there's hope, yours and the other comments, Next I'll learn my plasma cutter!

Im gonna agree to this. Actually going ot now to put a few beads down to practice that added info will help

I appreciate your comments because I am experiencing the same poor welds as his and I haven't taken any classes, unfortunately I do not have a mentor to help me so Here I am Thanks for your comments.

Been working with wood professionally for over 18 years, now getting into metal. I’m about where you are. All tips on vid and comments help. Thanks for showing us that we, as men, aren’t just supposed to ‘know’ how to weld instantly.

The machine doesn't come with a flux core tip so people use the brass one to keep from touching the tip to the work.

Mike Klass I bought a Lincoln electric flux core tip , Lincoln electric wire , new ground clamp , Lincoln electric tips . I have the harbor freight 125 welder , I'm just learning to weld so I'm no expert yet this is the first video I've watched that showed metal prep before they welded . Oh and when my welder is powered up , grounded and ready to go , I don't get an arc until I pull the trigger other have said something different .

I was interested to read your comment about flux core tip (shroud). Cannot find these in the UK though.

Roger Owen go on eBay that's what I found them

Scott is correct, the conical tip is to catch/hold gas while mig welding.

Gives us hope Jose! Many thanks.

Yeah Jayden, gives one hope for the good guys of the world. Thx!

"WE" grow by sharing the knowledge and helping others with it. ;) I agree on how most of the reviews are all helpful and not bashing someone whom is learning. :) A+ to all!

and always point at the thicker and bigger surface it will keep you from blowing holes when you have space between two metals

thanks for taking the time to let me know, appreciate it. i will be doing more welding (and practice) this weekend. good steady hand tip!

A steady hand and an eye on what to look for are the secrets to a good solid bead. Keep on practicing. That is the only way I found I could get better with my everlast. Watching videos, reading books and going to classes only go so far without practice

Nangjelovski uhh

My welds looked about like this until I read the comments on the post, and yours too helped me get it good really quick. Thanks.

Yes Timothy, it gives me hope for the world (which is pretty crazy right now if you look at the news). Nice how so many experienced welders have stopped by and added helpful comments. Usually this kind of vid would get haters and trolls, every time someone takes the time to comment it makes me smile. I just got my garage floor upgraded to actual cement from dirt, so am looking forward to more flux core welding. thx! eric.

Hi Dan, we still have the GF Radio podcast, about 350 shows so far, on iTunes. we no longer post the videos to iTunes, it costs too much $ for the server for that. We now post the vids just on KZfaq here. our channel: kzfaq.info thx! eric.

yeah, this welder goes on sale all the time, check in at Harbor Freight for their 3 day weekend sales, that's when its usually cheapest. flux core welding is pretty easy to do, just practice on some scrap metal . thx!

Thanks for sharing, that’s guts. As you practice, you get better. At anything. Thanks again.

You are definitely not alone, I'm with you

good idea going to the used clothing store, thx for that!

to continue on that thought, i should wear Goodwill store clothes when boiling sap too. i had on my carrhart coveralls and melted the side pant leg zipper because i was standing too close to the firebox.

hahaha.we're so eager to work on a project we don't think about what we're wearing...i've burned a hole in a marino wool sweater!!!

Great idea about the leather jacket. I've put so many holes in my clothes using my everlast welder!

supurbian how could you say it done a great job did you see the beads he laid down

Good info, thx for that.

Thx Roy, appreciate the help! Eric.

Wow Mike thx for the great info and taking the time to watch and write. HF is now selling a DC Flux/MiG brand called Vulcan, curious if you know anything about them. Thx! Eric.

thx! eric.

I totally agree with you vegasaxeman

Good to hear Julian, i set the welder on High and the wire feed to 3. build up a pool of metal and work slowly and move the wand in small ovals. practice and you will get better! thx, eric.

Yeah!

If yours is similar to the one in this video: !Use a respirator! I can't stress it enough. I posted pictures on a welding forum of one I used, and you would not believe the smoke particles that it captures! 3M 7502 half-shield with 2097 or 2297 pancake filters! 1. Don't use the nozzle. That is for when you are MIG welding with C25 gas and solid wire, not with gasless flux core wire. What you do need are the appropriate sized tips. For your machine 0.030" wire will work great. I use HTP E71T-11 gasless flux core wire (when I must outdoors) and it runs great. 2. If you already bought the wire, what brand/diameter did you get? make sure you get the same size tips. 3. Contact Tip to Work Distance (CTWD) is critical. No closer than 1/4" and not farther than 1/2". 3/8" is usually ideal for gasless flux core wire. 4. Use a drag angle of about 15-20°. You always drag the puddle to keep the slag back. 5. Practice on metal no thinner than 1/8" thick. 6. Make sure you have a proper grinder at hand, preferably two; one with a hard disk to clean the millscale/rust off before you start welding (and for the ground clamp to make contact somewhere as well). The other grinder should have a 4.5" wire wheel so you can clean the spatter BB's and slag off the weld bead. 7. Make sure you use a decent helmet so you can get a clear view of the puddle. You will need lots of outer lenses because when you have your face 10-12" from the weld joint (as you should as a newbie to get a good look at the puddle), it will get bombarded with spatter, and you'll need to replace them often. 8. The finished weld bead should have some convexity to it in the middle, but it should not be crowned up too high (no more than about 1/8", 1/16" crown is more ideal). the outer edges of the weld bead (the toes) should not cliff-dive down into the base metal, but rather a shallow slope. If it's crowned up too high and the toes are not wetted in, you might be going too slow, or your settings might not be adequate. Remember, wirefeed is amperage (for penetration), the voltage pushes the weld bead downward by flaring and spreading the arc. 9. It's hard to explain with words, you really need to find someone local to you, who has already been welding with gasless flux core for a few years preferably, to show you with your machine.

Oscar Sanchez Jr, BSc. Sir, I do appreciate your advice. A respirator is a good thing to have. It came with .030 wire and tip. I understand the things you are trying to say and that’s exactly what I was looking for when I posted asking for advice. My welding will be strictly an as needed thing, when things break or a small project comes along. I won’t do a lot of welding but I do want to learn the correct way and safest way. Your advice is very much appreciated and I hope you’ll feel free to give any advice you have. Thank you so much.

Outside in the wind it's an industry go to 🍻📐

Read through the comments. Lots of great suggestions and tips. Thx,

Good to hear Mr Tommy, read through the comments here, tons of good tips. Thx!

Thanks Dylan, appreciate the info. I upgraded to a DC welder. I’ll post a vid soon. Thx!

@@gardenfork no problem, I actually had mine backwards when I first got into fluxcore and hooking them up right made a world of difference! Cant wait to see some videos on the DC!

Thanks Damien 👍!

yeah, i have done some more flux core welding and have gotten a bit better. i think i have the wire feed going to fast. when it warms up i can work more in the garage and practice. thx!

excellent tips, thanks for that. most of my hoodie sweatshirts are beat, so that will be perfect. did not think about the magnet affecting the weld pool, but yeah. thx!

Hi Halsey, thanks for taking the time to comment. It is a learning process! and its starting to get warmer here so I can work in the garage again. thx! eric.

Thanks Ian! I recently took a welding class, so am improving.

i am lucky. getting better at welding too!

good to hear Walter, the key is take it slow. i found that i used the high power setting and a medium feed speed. thx!

Hi Theodore, how do you like the Tribune?

The practice is the key. I slowed down the feed and turned up the power to High. and I keep the copper cone on now, it keeps down the splatter and keeps the flux gas focused. good luck!

yeah, i took a chance showing the first welds, but i wanted to get more people to learn this craft too. i figure the keyboard screamers will start soon, but what can you do? appreciate your kind words here. thx!

Keep with it. We all started somewhere. Practice, practice, practice! Like the top poster said, get that tip down next to the weld and slooooow down. You're on your way! And one other thing, that wire that comes with those Horror Freight welders is crap. Get you some Lincoln or similar as soon as possible. You can get it at the big box retailers.

Only way to learn is to pick it up ! I think you good .

Jim Hadden keyboard cowboy 🤠😂 love that.

Jim Hadden you are a good guy. GardenFork I like your style. Thumbs Up!

Doesn’t it though? I am so happy to see all the helpful comments, it too gives me hope. We are more alike than we are un-alike. Thx! Eric.

wow great to hear! i have to go get some more scrap myself. adjusting the machine settings is still a challenge for me. thx!

this welder goes on sale a lot, when they have their parking lot sale every few weeks. not bad for doing DIY stuff, or fix your mower. thx!

Yeah!

yes Robert, i've gotten better, and the comments on this vid have helped me a lot. good luck! eric.

Good tips, but had to snort at "if your shield stays dark after you stop welding then somethings on fire. " Immediately came to mind, "check your arms."

Correction to my comment; It isn't "Iron worker" it's "Ironton."

Thanks for the info and taking the time to write anD share. I just upgraded to a DC flux core that I’ll post a video about soon. Thx! Eric.

+Simon MacFarlane yeah some great comments here. I learned too. Thx!

be sure to work outside, thx!

same here, i am getting better, but its a real art to weld. thx!

Good to hear Brian! there have been many constructive comments on this video and i have learned a lot. i've gotten better as well. i am intrigued with the idea of converting the welder into a DC flux core, i've seen some threads about that. thx!

I've seen the same thing with the DC conversion, it would definitely help with the splatter. Have you tried the spray that helps the splatter not stick? Eastwood has a video and they use it. Curious.

+Brian Underwood hi Brian, I haven't bought the spray, but am intrigued by the DC conversion. That would improve the machine. Thx!

this is a great way to get started with welding, without having the expense of a mig welder.

thanks Scott, yeah, i keep learning the settings are the hardest part. I am welding my sap evaporator tomorrow. thx!

Good tips Lazer, thx for sharing. Practice is key. Thx!

Have yet to do stick welding , thx for the suggestion thx!

Exactly Steve, one has to try! Thx!

Yeah!

there you go!

Me too :) I will practice when I have the time. I have this same Welder from Harbor Freight. My Welds look exactly like yours do.