Harbor Freight Welder (Chicago 125 Flux) Good For Go Kart Frame?

[SquidBonez]

Anybody ever build a frame with one of these HF flux welders? I recently picked up a Chicago 125 Flux harbor freight welder for $70 on OfferUp. Only 3 weeks old. It already had an upgraded ground clamp and new wire. Been welding on some scrap metal to practice, and also welded a crack on my kart's frame, but I'm just wondering if this welder would be good enough to weld together a whole frame with.

 

[Budget GoKart]

yes they do fine ive built a mower bumper with mine

 

[SquidBonez]

yes they do fine ive built a mower bumper with mine

Good to hear. Just need more practice. I'll be using 1/8" wall 1x1 square tubing which is well within the rating capability of this welder. Nailing the wire speed is the hard part for me. What do you reccomend?

 

[Budget GoKart]

5 or 6

 

[jamyers]

Best recommendation I can make it so head over to youtube, and pull up Weld.com's videos on flux core welding. Watch them, then practice, practice, practice...

Also, lots of people overlook the importance of getting the metal they're welding CLEAN. I say, it needs to be CLEAN!

 

[Dingocat]

Best recommendation I can make it so head over to youtube, and pull up Weld.com's videos on flux core welding. Watch them, then practice, practice, practice...

Also, lots of people overlook the importance of getting the metal they're welding CLEAN. I say, it needs to be CLEAN!

I think he forgot, you need to practice.

 

[Budget GoKart]

trust me the importance of cleaning is insane on flux on this weak little welder if there is a speck of dirt r rust your weld will be real bad and not stick

 

[jamesdow]

I'd recommend using the Hobart Handler 140. It's pretty cheap and easy to use. You can flux core. Here is a review and tutorial to weld flux core with this hobart welder:

Hobart Handler 140 Review – Who Is It For?

Is it your first time buying a MIG welder? Well, if you're looking for a Hobart MIG machine, you've come to the right place. This Hobart Handler 140 review has everything you need to decide

weldingrage.com

 

[EpsilonZero]

I used a similar Century flux core welder to make a battery platform for the back of my kart and it has held the 49lb battery with no problems even with extremely rough riding. I also made a gokart hitch to pull my kids in their bike trailer (slowly), fixed and strengthened the front assembly for an electric jeep, and built a strong trellis for a misfit rose bush that destroyed the previous store-bought trellis. I found that dialing the settings a bit lower than suggested worked best (6/6). I don't doubt the strength of the welds; they can just require a bit of cleanup with occasional spatter.

 

[machinist@large]

Done correctly, flux core welding is as strong as stick welding. It's basically stick welding in a spool. Go look up "Welding tips and tricks.com"; his breakdown on how to do it is way more in depth than I can try to explain using just word's here....

 

[sheilacorvin298]

Thank you for the information. I also found some good welders that work efficiently.

 

[madprofessor]

if there is a speck of dirt r rust your weld will be real bad and not stick

True on all types welding that prep is at least half of the job, but really extra important like Budget said for your new welder. That and practice.

 

[Jims83cj5]

I'd recommend using the Hobart Handler 140. It's pretty cheap and easy to use. You can flux core. Here is a review and tutorial to weld flux core with this hobart welder:

Hobart Handler 140 Review – Who Is It For?

Is it your first time buying a MIG welder? Well, if you're looking for a Hobart MIG machine, you've come to the right place. This Hobart Handler 140 review has everything you need to decide

weldingrage.com

My first welder, loved it, it runs on a 20 amp 120, flux core or gas, good welder made by Miller now I think