90 amp ARC welder...what can I do?

[Muddy Beast]

So my dad bought a harbor freight 90 amp arc welder that plugs into the 120V outlet, and I plan to build a bumper... I was wondering what I can do with this welder? As far as how thick of metal, and if I take my time can I still make it work? I'm just doing a rear bumper with side supports so I figure my welds don't have to be fantastic but I'd like to incorporate a hitch and d-rings into the bumper, so those obviously have to be strong enough for tug.

I can post up my drawings if necessary, right now I have an idea of what I want and how I want to do it. I was going to go get some metal tomorrow so I can visually work everything out a little more too.

~Scott

 

[Israel]

Check the manual that came with the welder for specifics on limitations. I'm no expert, but I believe most 120v machines are limited to about 1/8" thick steel which may not be thick enough for your needs.

It seems to me that a 175/180 amp 220v welder would be a better starting point for most beginners that plan on welding up to 1/4" steel.

 

[Muddy Beast]

Ya I figure I'll probably be using 1/4" steel for a lot of the bumper...I was told that I should be able to make my welder work since it doesn't have to be too crazy, and if I go slow it should burn, was that wrong info?

~Scott

 

[Sponge Bob]

yes the wrong info and welding for the first time is a bad combo!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Israel]

I'd check the literature that came with your welder before making any decisions. I couldn't find a 90 amp arc welder on Harbor's website, although they do have a 70 amp that will weld 1/4".

 

[WB9YZU]

Is it the 90amp flux core machine?

If so, you should be able to do 3/16" without a hassle with .35 wire. Just remember that that welder has something like a 10% duty cycle (lots of breaks). Get some good long welding gloves and a self darkening helmet. Don't use that hold up shield "thing" which came with the welder

You may want to think about using 3/16" instead of 1/4" for most of the bumper and substituting structure for brute strength.


-Ron

 

[xj92]

I had that welder when I first started welding. 3/16" is the limit for good welds, but you can make 1/4" work, you just have to use a different technique. You'll have to make a wide arc back and forth across the two metals. The penetration won't be that good until you've been welding for a minute so that both pieces heat up. Make sure to use .035 wire, not .030. And you will reach the duty cycle on that box frequently. Also make sure you're not using an extension cord as this will limit the juice to the box as well. They're not built that well and mine fell apart after a couple years, but I did build a front bumper, do frame rail reinforcements, and a whole bunch of other stuff with it before it died. Good luck.

 

[srimes]

perhaps the prudent thing to do is use it to practice on non-critical welds and on the critical welds just tack it together and take it to a pro to weld it up.

 

[Muddy Beast]

I did for research and desided I'll use 3/16th for the material. My welder only mentions like 4 awg and 1/8th steel but it also listed both under it's max power abilities, so I believe I'll be fine.

I will practice before doing the whole thing but I want to get the idea rolling, start tacking stuff up and practice welds as I go.

Thanks for the info though guys!

~Scott

 

[Muddy Beast]

yes the wrong info and welding for the first time is a bad combo!!!!!!!!!!

I've learned HOW to weld on two separate occasions, one by the guy who welded my 8.8 leaf brackets on and welded the tubes, and another time from a guy who welded my shock brackets on on that same axle a month later. He let me do a few tacks but I decided not to do any work on the shock mount. So I get the concept and how to do it all.

Oh, and yes guys I have an auto darkening helmet and glove already. My grandpa used to own an auto part store too so I also have a gas welder and the stick 240amp style welder too (forgive me for my lack of knowledge on terminology). Speaking of which, what's the deal with these stick welders, are they effective or hard to learn?

~Scott

 

[greenmachine74]

Use a propane torch with map gas to preheat the area you are going to weld just before running a bead. This is a trick to help lower powered welders get better penitration.

 

[Muddy Beast]

Use a propane torch with map gas to preheat the area you are going to weld just before running a bead. This is a trick to help lower powered welders get better penitration.

I knew that was what gas was for, but good idea to use a torch to compensate!

~Scott