Welder for go kart frames
- Thread starter RandomK
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I had a Hobart 140 for years that I loved and built an entire off-road truck with it until I treated myself to a new ESAB Rebel 285 when we built our new house. The Hobart will be more than capable of doing anything go kart related. There are a bunch of other options in that class as well including the Harbor Freight, Miller and Lincoln but I don't have any personal experience with them other than what I have read online.
Smerft85
Member
Mine is a Lincoln weldpak, flux core only wirefeed and runs on 110v. I've had it about a decade and rebuilt it twice because I beat the crap out of it in my younger days. Keep in mind with flux core your wire can make a night and day difference. I've always preferred wirefeed over arc welding for the ease of use, stick (arc) welders do produce a stronger weld typically, but wirefeed is plenty strong.
Smerft85
Member
Sounds like a true mig, means you'll have to keep gas bottles with it if so. I've honestly never heard of that welder myself. May seem expensive getting a Lincoln, Miller, Hobart or any other high quality welder, but in the long run well worth it. I'm also not sure what fair market value would be on a used welder. Have you previously welded?
Probably my top three welders for ease of use and a first time welder would probably be from cheapest to priciest (quality in those orders too) 1: the Lincoln weldpak, plugs into a standard 110v outlet, when ran with quality wire and talent it can produce very nice welds, will probably outlast the other two by a longshot, will accept a 10lb roll of flux core wire, quality components throughout other than the spool carrier, its hollow plastic.
2: the titanium 110v flux core from harbor freight, I haven't used this machine myself but know a couple people who do. They seem sturdy and well built at the price point, and can produce quality welds near what the Lincoln and other higher end machines, its somewhat of a happy medium across the board.
3: the $99 on a coupon Chicago electric 110v flux core machine also from harbor freight, as I recall it is not capable of a 10lb roll, will weld just fine, but mine always seemed to lack power, its basically the cheapest option in every way, but not terrible, it would get you by for a while so you can save for a bigger machine if you choose to do so.
The Lincoln is easily $500-600 new, comes with a handheld shield, a bit of wire, a few tips and maybe a few other extras, the other two I'm sure come with a similar accessory package, the titanium welder I believe was $300-400, and the Chicago can be had often for $99+ tax with a coupon.
Probably my top three welders for ease of use and a first time welder would probably be from cheapest to priciest (quality in those orders too) 1: the Lincoln weldpak, plugs into a standard 110v outlet, when ran with quality wire and talent it can produce very nice welds, will probably outlast the other two by a longshot, will accept a 10lb roll of flux core wire, quality components throughout other than the spool carrier, its hollow plastic.
2: the titanium 110v flux core from harbor freight, I haven't used this machine myself but know a couple people who do. They seem sturdy and well built at the price point, and can produce quality welds near what the Lincoln and other higher end machines, its somewhat of a happy medium across the board.
3: the $99 on a coupon Chicago electric 110v flux core machine also from harbor freight, as I recall it is not capable of a 10lb roll, will weld just fine, but mine always seemed to lack power, its basically the cheapest option in every way, but not terrible, it would get you by for a while so you can save for a bigger machine if you choose to do so.
The Lincoln is easily $500-600 new, comes with a handheld shield, a bit of wire, a few tips and maybe a few other extras, the other two I'm sure come with a similar accessory package, the titanium welder I believe was $300-400, and the Chicago can be had often for $99+ tax with a coupon.
anickode
Active member
I have an old harbor freight mig 180 kicking around that I often use for little projects like kart frames and small repairs and such. It does okish.
The new harbor freight flux wire welder (the El cheapo black one) is vastly improved over the previous versions, as it actually has a rectifier on the output. As mentioned, it can only run the little spools, but one spool is more than plenty to put together a basic kart frame.
Whatever you get, make sure you can get consumables for it, and remember that if you do decide to go for a gas shielded machine, cylinders are pretty pricey. You can spend $300 on a cheap welder, then have to turn around and drop another $300 for a cylinder of gas (if you want one that will last you a while between fills, that is). You get roughly an hour of arc time per 20 cubic feet.
The new harbor freight flux wire welder (the El cheapo black one) is vastly improved over the previous versions, as it actually has a rectifier on the output. As mentioned, it can only run the little spools, but one spool is more than plenty to put together a basic kart frame.
Whatever you get, make sure you can get consumables for it, and remember that if you do decide to go for a gas shielded machine, cylinders are pretty pricey. You can spend $300 on a cheap welder, then have to turn around and drop another $300 for a cylinder of gas (if you want one that will last you a while between fills, that is). You get roughly an hour of arc time per 20 cubic feet.
scratch my other post. which welder should I get - The titanium 124 or the titanium 140. whats the big difference if any? like will one produce stronger welds?
---------- Post added at 09:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 PM ----------
125*
---------- Post added at 09:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------
Or a titanum 140 vs a lincoln electric pro mig 135 used.
---------- Post added at 09:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 PM ----------
125*
---------- Post added at 09:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 PM ----------
Or a titanum 140 vs a lincoln electric pro mig 135 used.
anickode
Active member
neither will produce "stronger" welds, per se. That's mostly got to do with your ability to weld.
Between the two, if you're willing to spend the extra, I'd go for the 140 because it has gas capability. You CAN run flux core wire in it (as with most any mig welder) if you aren't ready to spring for a gas cylinder just yet. Having the option to upgrade to gas without having to go out and buy a whole different machine is definitely a plus. If you go this route, get whatever is the longest extended warranty they offer for it. ANYTHING goes wrong with it, and you can plop it on the counter and walk out with a new one.
Obviously, a brand name machine will probably be a smarter buy for the long term. I guess it would mainly depend on just how used it is, and what all is included with it. One thing to keep in mind about Lincoln is that they have a line of "dumbed down" versions of the machines, like what you find at home depot. Miller does the same thing, except they are sold under the HOBART brand to keep the product lines distinct from each other. For example, the Hobart 210 and Miller 211 are essentially the same machine, but the hobart will have plastic parts in places the miller would have metal, and it will lack certain features. Point being, just know what you're getting when buying a used machine.
Between the two, if you're willing to spend the extra, I'd go for the 140 because it has gas capability. You CAN run flux core wire in it (as with most any mig welder) if you aren't ready to spring for a gas cylinder just yet. Having the option to upgrade to gas without having to go out and buy a whole different machine is definitely a plus. If you go this route, get whatever is the longest extended warranty they offer for it. ANYTHING goes wrong with it, and you can plop it on the counter and walk out with a new one.
Obviously, a brand name machine will probably be a smarter buy for the long term. I guess it would mainly depend on just how used it is, and what all is included with it. One thing to keep in mind about Lincoln is that they have a line of "dumbed down" versions of the machines, like what you find at home depot. Miller does the same thing, except they are sold under the HOBART brand to keep the product lines distinct from each other. For example, the Hobart 210 and Miller 211 are essentially the same machine, but the hobart will have plastic parts in places the miller would have metal, and it will lack certain features. Point being, just know what you're getting when buying a used machine.
Smerft85
Member
I have a coupon for $349 on that titanium welder, do you have a local HF?
JTSpeedDemon
2019 Build Off Winner!
If you're looking at a titanium welder, I've heard really good things about the Century FC-90. It's a Lincoln rebrand, retailing for $200. Flux core, 90 amps, can weld up to 1/4" plate.
A lot of people prefer the similar Titanium 125, but I do NOT TRUST a welder from Harbor Freight! They can't even make a decent dolly wheel, do you really want them to sell you a 125 amp, 110 volt electrical arc generating machine? That's just my 2 cents.
A lot of people prefer the similar Titanium 125, but I do NOT TRUST a welder from Harbor Freight! They can't even make a decent dolly wheel, do you really want them to sell you a 125 amp, 110 volt electrical arc generating machine? That's just my 2 cents.
anickode
Active member
Their track record and the reviews on these newer machines would suggest otherwise.
JTSpeedDemon
2019 Build Off Winner!
Still though, for the same price you can get a Lincoln welder.....
Look, I'm not saying they're all garbage, I don't have enough experience or money to know, but since the Lincoln welder is the same price, I'll go with that, and that's my opinion.
So sure, I'm biased against HF, but I think that's a t least fairly understandable.
Look, I'm not saying they're all garbage, I don't have enough experience or money to know, but since the Lincoln welder is the same price, I'll go with that, and that's my opinion.
So sure, I'm biased against HF, but I think that's a t least fairly understandable.
Smerft85
Member
HF has fine dolly wheels as long as you are installing them on a dolly. I'll also vouch that HF has the absolute best warranty coverage when it comes to their lifetime stuff. I'll also vouch the predator 212 is pretty much the best bang for your buck, and reliable. I can also add my HF tool chest side by side beats out several higher end chests when compared side by side. I understand being ticked of at the chinese, welcome to the world wide club, but that stuff is already paid for, and marked up for profit, you are really paying the American workers that operate HF stores. I've broken more snap-on tools than I have Pittsburgh pro tools, think on that. As I mentioned their warranty, snap-off, crapsman, husky and many of the other companies that carry lifetime warranty will require you to ship them the broken tool, then they can analyze the tool and tell you it's not covered because it was purchased at the wrong supplier. HF, you walk in, set it on the counter, get your replacement, give them your name and number, sign and leave with your new tool. They don't even require a receipt, so you could go get broken tools at a pawn shop to return them for new ones.
HF has come a very long way but still catches the stigma of the old tool lines that truly were crap. However I'd avoid their ICON stuff, chasing snap-off prices and they have already recalled several ICON items, stick to the U.S. General and Pittsburg pro stuff and you'll be ok, promise.
Check out some YouTube videos on that titanium welder, I'd go with the 125 because there is a current coupon available for it, see what others have to say about it. Comparing a 90 amp to a 120 amp welder isn't really a fair comparison either, being a rebadged lincoln tells me it's the leftover bottom of the barrel stuff Lincoln had to build a cheaper welder, if you can compare the two in person it would be ideal.
HF has come a very long way but still catches the stigma of the old tool lines that truly were crap. However I'd avoid their ICON stuff, chasing snap-off prices and they have already recalled several ICON items, stick to the U.S. General and Pittsburg pro stuff and you'll be ok, promise.
Check out some YouTube videos on that titanium welder, I'd go with the 125 because there is a current coupon available for it, see what others have to say about it. Comparing a 90 amp to a 120 amp welder isn't really a fair comparison either, being a rebadged lincoln tells me it's the leftover bottom of the barrel stuff Lincoln had to build a cheaper welder, if you can compare the two in person it would be ideal.
anickode
Active member
Except you're not getting a Lincoln welder. When a company buys a brand, such as Lincoln purchasing Century, they do not do it so they can sell their high quality products for cheap. They do it so they can sell cheaply made stuff for cheap without sacrificing brand image. It's made by the same people, but not to the same standard.
JTSpeedDemon
2019 Build Off Winner!
Actually Mech Master put the two up against each other. He's also a member on here in fact.
And I will say that every HF tool I've used, including some recent ones, feel like crap compared to the Craftsman tools my dad and I use. We have a HF torque wrench that wore out really fast, and the mechanism just FEELS terrible. All the HF ratchets I've used also have felt terrible and have slipped off the bolts I tried to tighten.
On the other hand, our set of Craftsman sockets/ratchets/box wrenches have held up for my entire lifetime, at least as far as I can remember, which is over 12 years.
On top of it, my parents would NEVER allow me to get a welder from HF, they're already stretching to let me have the Century.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDF-vZG850M
And I will say that every HF tool I've used, including some recent ones, feel like crap compared to the Craftsman tools my dad and I use. We have a HF torque wrench that wore out really fast, and the mechanism just FEELS terrible. All the HF ratchets I've used also have felt terrible and have slipped off the bolts I tried to tighten.
On the other hand, our set of Craftsman sockets/ratchets/box wrenches have held up for my entire lifetime, at least as far as I can remember, which is over 12 years.
On top of it, my parents would NEVER allow me to get a welder from HF, they're already stretching to let me have the Century.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDF-vZG850M
Texan
Senor Member
Don't be such an elitist JT
Have you even put a hood on, struck an arc, ran a bead?
JTSpeedDemon
2019 Build Off Winner!
In fact I have.
Anyways, it seems my opinion is not welcome here, I'm outta here. Gotta go earn some money to get myself a decent welder, don't wanna waste time!
I knew someone was gonna harp on me for that one....
Anyways, it seems my opinion is not welcome here, I'm outta here. Gotta go earn some money to get myself a decent welder, don't wanna waste time!
I knew someone was gonna harp on me for that one....
Kartorbust
Inmate #627
I would look at the Titanium 140. It's a lot better than other welders for the same price as others like Hobart because it has an actual digital voltage display and a digital wire feed speed. As someone who has worked in the welding industry and went to college for it, knowing your actual voltage and wire speed will help making a good weld. Plus it's easier to dial in vs the A-D 1-10 adjustments that are extremely vague.
240v machines are a lot nicer, but for the average hobbies, not necessary, but a nice thing to have if you need to do some heavy duty work. A basic flux cored welder will do the job, bit of a pain to use, but with enough practice you can do a great job with it.
When you are welding 14ga to 10ga, .030" wire is great. Anything thinner, .023" wire. Cost of wire goes up when you go down in diameter, since you pay for per pound.
The only benefit of buying a name Brand like Miller, ESAB, Lincoln, etc, usually means quality. But truth be told, majority is made in China now, but may have better quality.
240v machines are a lot nicer, but for the average hobbies, not necessary, but a nice thing to have if you need to do some heavy duty work. A basic flux cored welder will do the job, bit of a pain to use, but with enough practice you can do a great job with it.
When you are welding 14ga to 10ga, .030" wire is great. Anything thinner, .023" wire. Cost of wire goes up when you go down in diameter, since you pay for per pound.
The only benefit of buying a name Brand like Miller, ESAB, Lincoln, etc, usually means quality. But truth be told, majority is made in China now, but may have better quality.