harbor freight flux core possible mod?

[crazykart]

Well you gotta weld to make a go kart right? Lol. It's cheap I know. Got an old 80 (yes 80) amp flux core welder, picked it up for $20. It's decent for what I need, but as some of you will know it's always live, even when not pulling the trigger, which we'll sucks.

Well I was thinking of a way to rectify that. Anyone have any thoughts on possibly hooking the power switch (on/off) up to the trigger/wire feed mech? As in disconnecting the leads to the power switch and hooking them in line to the leads to the trigger/wire feed mech? That way it only has power when the trigger is pressed instead of at all times. It's not like you can weld without feeding wire into it anyways right? Lol I know it's probably not the best place to ask, but there are a lot of smart cookies here, and I know some of you have had experience with these cheapo freight welders.

 

[mckutzy]

I asked my friend about this very question. A potential solution was, use a relay contractor for the power line in. Could potentially use just a 20amp wall switch aswell.
Use at your own discretion I'm not a professional.

 

[crazykart]

Lol I posted this on a welding website too, has everyone scratching their heads as to if it could be that simple or not.

 

[ML-TOYS]

Just set it up almost and i say almost like a tig welder. Go and get a foot pedal from a sewing machine or other type. Put that in place of your on/off switch and just step when you want power.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Another possibility is to splice a foot switch into the ground lead.....that way the machine will always be powered up....just a thought...

 

[crazykart]

Hmmm, I do have a few extra old tattoo foot pedals. Might have to give it a try. Bad thing is that I do most of my welding on the garage floor lol. Have to build a table. Might today since I'll have some extra steel.

 

[mckutzy]

I have a setup for a ground switch that is a battery knife switch, for an engine disconnect.
There was a YouTube where a gent had described this very thing(I actually used his idea, although I had not finished it yet).

 

[OzFab]

Hmmm, I do have a few extra old tattoo foot pedals. Might have to give it a try.

That may or may not work; tattoo machines run on 12V, a welder runs on 110V or higher; you may simply fry the switch...

I'm pretty sure that's why Mike (ML TOYS) suggested a sewing machine pedal, they run 110V

 

[crazykart]

O if I did that tattoo pedel it would only be for the insulating properties of the body (rubber/plastic) all the wiring and everything would be changed/beefed up.

The whole reason I would wat to do this though is to have one switch basically do it all, make the wire live, and feed. Thats why I was just thinking about hooking it to the feed switch off the torch head (but from inside the housing body of the actual welder not torch) That way I'm only pulling/hitting one button/trigger, any more can get confuzzling especially when you're trying to get two pieces weled jusssssttt right lol. That's kinda why the whole foot pedal/other button seems like it may be a step backwards.

 

[jeeperjoel]

need a decent size relay running off switched power to wire feed switch, with welding current running through other side, wouldn't be that hard of a mod to do..... sorry, didn't see this was already posted, might be able to find a relay like the one you need in heating circuit of older hot tub, people are throwing those away all the time