looking to get into welding to make kart longer

[Idkw much 👍]

Hi
ever since i got my go-kart I've grown about 10" and i don't really fit anymore, i do but it's hard to turn from how close my knees are to my steering
so i want to cut it( i also need help deciding where) and i wnated to do the welding meself cause i just thought it'd be more fun and cheaper this way,also to learn a new skill.
i don't really kw what welder to get, im tryn to keep it cheap, and i would also like to kw how hard is it and if there's anything i should kw bout welding before i get started
any advice is appreciated

 

[G.W]

Harbor freight sells a welder that works good enough for less than 200 bucks. It's a wire fed mig machine. Get Flux core wire since you aren't going to be able to afford gas ona budget.

Flux core mig is really easy to weld with if you get the settings right, which there should be a chart on the welder for settings.

Welding is easy unless you are doing it professionally and trying to weld perfect. My suggestion is find a scrap piece of 1/4 inch steel and practice a few passes before welding.

A welder will help you alot with modifying your kart to fit your wants and needs.

 

[Master Hack]

There is a reason a MIG welder is often referred to as a hot glue gun. Spring for the gas conversion as soon as you can.

 

[G.W]

Do gas shielded Flux core though, not solid core. Solid core welds quite brittle and is not good for structural, Flux core is a softer more payable weld, and will stand the flexibility of the frame better

 

[Master Hack]

Do gas shielded Flux core though, not solid core. Solid core welds quite brittle and is not good for structural, Flux core is a softer more payable weld, and will stand the flexibility of the frame better

Really? I never had luck with flux core, but l’m no welder. There is a reason they call me a hack…

 

[G.W]

Really? I never had luck with flux core, but l’m no welder. There is a reason they call me a hack…

Flux core is really messy if you don't have perfect travel speed and ark length, that's why it spatters for most people. For me I can Flux core weld without the mess because of being good and practiced with welding.

 

[electraglide]

All welding machines work well. When they don't it is because the welder lacks experience. I just started welding bout a year ago. No expert here but this is what I have learned. Harbor Fright Mig 170 less than $200 ….. 115 or 240 optional. Good home welder. The key is to practice, practice, practice. Do so on different gauge metals as they all require different setting. Setting are too low …. The wire will melt but will not penetrate completely on the piece being welded. ( weak weld ) If the settings are too high … you will burn a hole thru the piece. There are several techniques that you can choose from. Many youtube videos on that …. Just choose the ones that relate to the welding machine you get. You might want to also get a plasma cutter and a metal band saw, chop saw ……..

 

[G.W]

View attachment 139065

All welding machines work well. When they don't it is because the welder lacks experience. I just started welding bout a year ago. No expert here but this is what I have learned. Harbor Fright Mig 170 less than $200 ….. 115 or 240 optional. Good home welder. The key is to practice, practice, practice. Do so on different gauge metals as they all require different setting. Setting are too low …. The wire will melt but will not penetrate completely on the piece being welded. ( weak weld ) If the settings are too high … you will burn a hole thru the piece. There are several techniques that you can choose from. Many youtube videos on that …. Just choose the ones that relate to the welding machine you get. You might want to also get a plasma cutter and a metal band saw, chop saw ……..

My main issue was that welder is inconsistent. It doesn't pull the same amps and it doesn't feed the same speed consistently. It will sometimes slow on the feed or speed up, or lower the amps or raise the amps. It's not bad for this hobby, definitely isn't very good when you weld professionally

 

[electraglide]

My main issue was that welder is inconsistent. It doesn't pull the same amps and it doesn't feed the same speed consistently. It will sometimes slow on the feed or speed up, or lower the amps or raise the amps. It's not bad for this hobby, definitely isn't very good when you weld professionally

Yeah ... that does happen and there's a reason why ..... check out these posts of amp fluctuations ..... hope that helps .. I am still learning and consider myself a novice if not a rookie .....

welder fluctuate in amps - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

also post on wire feed problems .....

MIG Welder Wire Feed Problems and How To Fix Them

Like any piece of machinery, MIG welders also come with their fair share of troubles that need to be addressed in a timely fashion. One of the most commonly occurring issues involves MIG welder wire

migweldingexpert.com

 

[G.W]

Yeah ... that does happen and there's a reason why ..... check out these posts of amp fluctuations ..... hope that helps .. I am still learning and consider myself a novice if not a rookie .....

welder fluctuate in amps - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

www.bing.com

I used that welder before I got my Titanium 200 multi function welder from HF. The Titanium welders are pretty nice. Mine will do mig tig and stick welding.

 

[Master Hack]

Have the new HF welders proven to be reliable?
I bought my welders 30 years ago and at the time HF stuff was not very good (put nicely)
My antique miller Dial Arc and mig 180 have performed without a hickup for years.
I would like a small portable 120v mig machine, but an leary of HF stuff.

 

[Master Hack]

You might want to also get a plasma cutter and a metal band saw, chop saw ……..

Thats how it starts!
angle grinder, vice grips, protractor, tubing bender, tubing notcher, vertical band saw,
Calipers, lathe, mill….
Second mortgage to pay for all the s**t

 

[G.W]

Have the new HF welders proven to be reliable?
I bought my welders 30 years ago and at the time HF stuff was not very good (put nicely)
My antique miller Dial Arc and mig 180 have performed without a hickup for years.
I would like a small portable 120v mig machine, but an leary of HF stuff.

Not the central machinery ones, but the titanium and Vulcan brand welders are pretty good. I have used both the new Miller machines and the new Vulcan and titanium machines, and for the slight difference in performance I'd say save your money and buy the higher end HF welder.

 

[electraglide]

Thats how it starts!
angle grinder, vice grips, protractor, tubing bender, tubing notcher, vertical band saw,
Calipers, lathe, mill….
Second mortgage to pay for all the s**t

There are ways to make money .............. this is for those you are just starting out and strapped for cash .....

 

[Denny]

My next welder is going to be a blue one or a red dead president one!

 

[Master Hack]

Once upon a time l worked at a place, where the ran Red welders 3 shifts a day 365 days a year. Never saw one fail. My blue ones have served part time for 30 years without fail.

 

[G.W]

The welding shop at my school still has a handful of the Lincoln Electric tombstone welders. They are wild to weld with.

 

[Denny]

My Tombstone is so old it was on Jesus’ tomb probably!

 

[Bansil]

At home I started with a Lincoln 140 Nascar edition, used flux and shielded wire. bumpers, sliders etc flux core on high would weld 3/16 just fine. Cage work shielded and adjusted to sound like bacon frying.

I finally got a bigger welder years ago and went with the Hobart 210MVP, other than better capacity was the duty cycle welding .125 steel turned down on 220V it will dang near weld as long as I want, were the smaller machine I had to let the gun cool more than the electronics.

Got an Everlast TIG also

 

[Denny]

How is the Everlast tig? I’ve been thinking about one.