Thanx, I had to know what the base metal was in order to weld up the main support bracket. That was the only challenge. I didn't have trimix gas and wasn't about to purchase a big tank of that. Opted to try Blue Demon 308LFC which is stainless flux core .035 wire. There's no settings for this for a 115/140 amp machine to be found. That took awhile to figure out. Could of used at least 10 more amps to run that wire due to the weld starting out cold. That couldn't be avoided. I got full penetration as long as I didn't try to spot tack/weld normally lol. Had to run 1" spot welds with 1" stick out straight into it (no angle) for it to work......using DCEP, voltage maxed and wire speed set low low at 20. I know, way to involved, that took a bit to figure out lol.

 

Oh , and if you think about using this stuff with that Lincoln welder you have access to one day, duty cycle is 8/8 8 seconds of welding/ 8 minutes of cool down. That way you won't burn up that machine. It worked, 1" welds real slow. Definitely switch polarity to DCEP. A little tricky but has been confirmed.

 

What are these things on the front of the bed?

 

I saw a YT vid a while back where a guy switched the Titanium 125 to DCEP. I love that little guy.

https://www.harborfreight.com/easy-f...der-56355.html

 

I guess most of the flux core welders that aren't advertised as dual voltage machines (DCEP and DCEN) can be switched now. It use to be you needed to up the bridge rectifier, capacitor to run both on a smaller machine. I haven't flux core welded much, it was my only option here other than taking the piece to a shop or forking it out for a big tank of Trimix. Don't really want to be moving that thing around the rest of my life, I may never need it again lol. The 140 Hobart 75 argon/25 Co2 gas is good enough for most steel, some 400 series stainless as well, -but NOT 409. ... requires Trimix gas ( which is 85 to 90 per cent helium (He), up to 10 per cent argon (Ar) and 2 to 5 per cent carbon dioxide (CO2) ...just like 304 stainless does.

The flux core wire I cheated with explained I would require about 150 amps, actually the manufacturer stated 130-150 amps (that's who you pay special attention to btw lol). I knew I would pushing it, it's .035 wire. If I could of been had in .030 or .024 wouldn't of had an issue....with the cheat lol.

I don't understand why Trimix can't be had in smaller bottles like 75/25.....for the home DIY's. The 75/25 has lasted 8 years before refilling and it's not even half the size of a bottle of Trimix. I've inquired before, really didn't get a good answer or can't remember it rather. Perhaps just talked to the wrong person. It's the weekend, so I haven't called anybody yet. Jobs done anyway.

Sorry guys, kind of carrying on here, -needed to vent I guess lol.

 

One of these days I'll have gas. No... I mean for my welder. Lol

I hung one of the new shop lights. Definitely more directional than the Barrina's, but they are brighter. I'll get them to replace the bad one. Guess I better check the other two before I call them.

I am leaving the Barrina lights, and I'll have these. So I'll have a total of 8.

 

just body plugs to fill unused holes.

 

Hahaha. I still have the Harbor Freight welder. Back then they sold a small flux core 90 amp. Purchased it to replace the lower bed panels first time around 10 or 12 years ago. I used 3 or 4 times before packing it back in the box. It's still in there lol. Welded up a broken Eastwing framing hammer with it, butt welded a panel with it as well. Modified panel clamps https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-in...=google&wv=3.1 to include a cooper backer. The heat sink proved invaluable at the time. Anyway, got some use out of the thing. Decided to go with the 140, the welder I wanted for the job in the first place back then. My welds improved slightly.... or a little... At least I considered it a gainer none the less .

 

Lol, I still have a 90A HF too. Probably ought to see if my Buddy needs/wants it. I don't see me using it for anything else now that I have the Titanium, and the Lincoln I can use anytime.

 

Texting my Buddy right now that had his Fox start on fire a couple months ago. I'll tell you guys too... right now Home Depot has a 2 pack of fire extinguishers for 40 dollars. I have 4 in the garage now. They are made by Kidde. Also, I have a fifth just inside the door in the kitchen.