stick / arc welder questions

beaufort-fj60 · 02-15-07, 01:31 PM

I got a free el'cheapo arc welder today. got a few questions.

it's a 70 amp / 115 mastercraft stick welder (campbell hausfeld rebadge)

1.) can you weld aluminum with this thing?

2.) there are no buttons on this thing except and on/off switch. do you just turn it on and weld... or do you turn it on and then press the knob on the stick holder and then you can weld?

3.) if I read the directions pamphlet right.. if it's 20% duty cycle.. you can weld to 2 minutes and then you have to wait 8 minutes for it cool down then you can weld for another 2 minutes, then wait 8 minutes......

beaufort-fj60 · 02-15-07, 01:56 PM

no/yes answers would be fine.

Mace · 02-15-07, 02:09 PM

Yes

yes

no/yes

Mace · 02-15-07, 02:10 PM

Okay, Welding AL with that would be a serious PITA. Not saying it couldn't be done, but man, it would suck.

Is there another knob on the holder that we don't see?? I am betting turn it on and away you go.

Duty cycles are misleading. try it and find out.

beaufort-fj60 · 02-15-07, 02:42 PM

thanks mace, i knew I could count on an answer from you.

the only switches are on/off, and a low/high. the low high is for a 15a/20a circuit or 1/16" / 5/64" sticks.

yeah it's turn on a go. the only thing on the stick holder is a button that looks like it opens up the stick holders inside the handle.

Mace · 02-15-07, 03:27 PM

The button is a lever that opens the jaws of the eletrode holder.

Any welder is better than nothing but that one is gonna be really limited..

beaufort-fj60 · 02-15-07, 04:46 PM

I've got a few non-cruiser projects that i can try it out on.

honk · 02-15-07, 05:00 PM

Buy a 10 pack of 6013 sticks and try it on some scrap steel. 6013, AKA "the Farmer's Rod" is about the easiest starting and welding stick you can buy and is designed to be used with welders like that and can give a surprisingly good result.

I think it would be a waste of money to try to use it in aluminum.

Mace · 02-15-07, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honk

Buy a 10 pack of 6013 sticks and try it on some scrap steel. 6013, AKA "the Farmer's Rod" is about the easiest starting and welding stick you can buy and is designed to be used with welders like that and can give a surprisingly good result.

I think it would be a waste of money to try to use it in aluminum.

7014 as well (although I am not sure about the AC only part of that mix)

agreed on the AL part..

beaufort-fj60 · 02-15-07, 05:13 PM

thanks guys

I was just curious about the aluminum.

beaufort-fj60 · 02-17-07, 05:50 AM

i picked up an lincoln electric auto darkening helmet from lowes yesterday. its model kh605. the directions say: "standard polycarbonate clear protective plates must be installed on both the inside and outside surfaces of the solar moduale"

wtf is it talking about, i thought the helmet was ready to go?

beaufort-fj60 · 02-17-07, 06:37 AM

lol, nevermind.... i took it apart and they were there already

Mace · 02-17-07, 08:58 AM

lol

Now you know

brian · 02-17-07, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaufort-fj60

it's a 70 amp / 115 mastercraft stick welder (campbell hausfeld rebadge)

1.) can you weld aluminum with this thing?

......

no.

to stick AL you need a DC machine.
i really doubt your 110v machine is an ac/dc welder.
for 3/32 al rods you need 50-90 amps, your old 70amp machine probably is going to be way cold for anything but soda cans.

stick welding AL is a pain in the ass under the very best conditions.
i've done it once myself, just say i've done it. i have had to fix other peoples attemps at aluminum repairs after thay took the stick to it. which is an even bigger pain in teh ass.

Mace · 02-18-07, 01:22 PM

Sort of..

You can use a Scratch start tig torch with a stick welder on AC mode. But with that welder you are basically wasting your time.

brian · 02-18-07, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

Sort of..

You can use a Scratch start tig torch with a stick welder on AC mode. But with that welder you are basically wasting your time.

yeah, without a pulser or the constant high freq, that will be a BIG waste of time.

splitshot · 02-19-07, 11:03 AM

I grew up welding with sticks, Bought a Lincoln wire feed, love it you can plug it into any 110v recept.
Still use the stick for the heavy stuff.

Anyone used Messer's 80T ac rod?
Just bought some, it's supposed to be the hot ticket.

Can't wait to get started on my bumper build.

beaufort-fj60 · 02-20-07, 05:41 AM

had some fun with this thing. burnt some holes through 25ga sheet, and slowly got the thing to arc on the base of a wheelbarrow

splitshot · 02-20-07, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaufort-fj60

had some fun with this thing. burnt some holes through 25ga sheet, and slowly got the thing to arc on the base of a wheelbarrow

Just keep you're index fingers away from the hot stuff.
I keep shrinking the leather on my gloves and can't get my fingers back inside.
By the way Beaufort, dont change you're avi, it's perfect.

beaufort-fj60 · 02-21-07, 06:54 AM

yeah, my hands/body stayed far away from anything that could zap me.

chicago · 02-22-07, 02:47 PM

cool thread, as I just picked up a stick welder myself for 150.00.
Its a lincoln ac/dc 220.
Im not quite sure what all it does, but Im itchin to find out!
Gotta get my 220 power run first!
What does the ac/dc do?
Ive been using a lil 110 mig, and is what I learned on, so I know next to nothing about stick welding!

Chicago

Mace · 02-22-07, 02:49 PM

DC stick is fairly easy.

With a ready welder and the AC/DC machine you can weld almost anything

splitshot · 02-23-07, 10:34 AM

AC/DC is good for speakers too....

gladly · 02-25-07, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitshot

AC/DC is good for speakers too....

chicago · 02-26-07, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gladly

Chicago

chicago · 02-26-07, 05:10 PM

I just fired up my stick welder for the first time!!!
HOLY SH*T, what a diference from the mig!
I was still in the "BURN IN" mode from the lil 110v...I really had to pick up my pace as I was GOUGING the base metal!
The first few passes were just AWFUL!!!!
I did about 20 or so passes trying this and that, using 3/32 electrodes and 1/8 in electrodes, and they got to look pretty good.
The DC+ seemed to function best out of the AC, DC+ and DC-. The AC setting, I tried a few times and didnt mess with it again.
A NEW TOY!!!

The 3/32 rod was a BITCH to start an arc on...I remeber that from my high school shop class, and bad memories came back.
Very fun!

Chicago

brian · 02-26-07, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicago

I just fired up my stick welder for the first time!!!
HOLY SH*T, what a diference from the mig!
I was still in the "BURN IN" mode from the lil 110v...I really had to pick up my pace as I was GOUGING the base metal!
The first few passes were just AWFUL!!!!
I did about 20 or so passes trying this and that, using 3/32 electrodes and 1/8 in electrodes, and they got to look pretty good.
The DC+ seemed to function best out of the AC, DC+ and DC-. The AC setting, I tried a few times and didnt mess with it again.
A NEW TOY!!!

The 3/32 rod was a BITCH to start an arc on...I remeber that from my high school shop class, and bad memories came back.
Very fun!

Chicago

what rod(s) were/are you using?
you do diffeent things with different rods.
you pretty much want dc reverse for stick welding, dc straight is a tig thing.

chicago · 02-27-07, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian

what rod(s) were/are you using?
you do diffeent things with different rods.
you pretty much want dc reverse for stick welding, dc straight is a tig thing.

The rod sizes are in the post...Im using 3/32 and 1/8 in.
I tried DC- for a couple of passes, and it seemed to weld easier on the DC+.
How do you tig weld with a stick welder? I didnt think that was possible.

Chicago

02-15-07, 01:31 PM	#1
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	stick / arc welder questions I got a free el'cheapo arc welder today. got a few questions. it's a 70 amp / 115 mastercraft stick welder (campbell hausfeld rebadge) 1.) can you weld aluminum with this thing? 2.) there are no buttons on this thing except and on/off switch. do you just turn it on and weld... or do you turn it on and then press the knob on the stick holder and then you can weld? 3.) if I read the directions pamphlet right.. if it's 20% duty cycle.. you can weld to 2 minutes and then you have to wait 8 minutes for it cool down then you can weld for another 2 minutes, then wait 8 minutes...... Attached Images

02-15-07, 02:09 PM	#3
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,873	Yes yes no/yes __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

02-15-07, 02:10 PM	#4
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,873	Okay, Welding AL with that would be a serious PITA. Not saying it couldn't be done, but man, it would suck. Is there another knob on the holder that we don't see?? I am betting turn it on and away you go. Duty cycles are misleading. try it and find out. __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

02-15-07, 03:27 PM	#6
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,873	The button is a lever that opens the jaws of the eletrode holder. Any welder is better than nothing but that one is gonna be really limited.. __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

02-15-07, 05:00 PM	#8
honk IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NW Posts: 2,465	Buy a 10 pack of 6013 sticks and try it on some scrap steel. 6013, AKA "the Farmer's Rod" is about the easiest starting and welding stick you can buy and is designed to be used with welders like that and can give a surprisingly good result. I think it would be a waste of money to try to use it in aluminum. __________________ Specialization is for insects '77 BJ40 FST;'77 FJ40; '65 FJ40;

02-15-07, 01:56 PM	#2
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	no/yes answers would be fine.

02-15-07, 02:42 PM	#5
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	thanks mace, i knew I could count on an answer from you. the only switches are on/off, and a low/high. the low high is for a 15a/20a circuit or 1/16" / 5/64" sticks. yeah it's turn on a go. the only thing on the stick holder is a button that looks like it opens up the stick holders inside the handle.

02-15-07, 04:46 PM	#7
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	I've got a few non-cruiser projects that i can try it out on.

02-15-07, 05:13 PM	#10
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	thanks guys I was just curious about the aluminum.

02-17-07, 05:50 AM	#11
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	i picked up an lincoln electric auto darkening helmet from lowes yesterday. its model kh605. the directions say: "standard polycarbonate clear protective plates must be installed on both the inside and outside surfaces of the solar moduale" wtf is it talking about, i thought the helmet was ready to go?

02-17-07, 06:37 AM	#12
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	lol, nevermind.... i took it apart and they were there already

02-17-07, 08:58 AM	#13
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,873	lol Now you know __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

02-18-07, 01:22 PM	#15
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,873	Sort of.. You can use a Scratch start tig torch with a stick welder on AC mode. But with that welder you are basically wasting your time. __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

02-19-07, 11:03 AM	#17
splitshot What's next? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Podunk, Arizona Posts: 1,552	I grew up welding with sticks, Bought a Lincoln wire feed, love it you can plug it into any 110v recept. Still use the stick for the heavy stuff. Anyone used Messer's 80T ac rod? Just bought some, it's supposed to be the hot ticket. Can't wait to get started on my bumper build. __________________ '69 fj40 CSC#103 A dry heat still cooks a turkey

02-20-07, 05:41 AM	#18
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	had some fun with this thing. burnt some holes through 25ga sheet, and slowly got the thing to arc on the base of a wheelbarrow

02-21-07, 06:54 AM	#20
beaufort-fj60 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,386	yeah, my hands/body stayed far away from anything that could zap me.

02-22-07, 02:47 PM	#21
chicago IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 3,032	cool thread, as I just picked up a stick welder myself for 150.00. Its a lincoln ac/dc 220. Im not quite sure what all it does, but Im itchin to find out! Gotta get my 220 power run first! What does the ac/dc do? Ive been using a lil 110 mig, and is what I learned on, so I know next to nothing about stick welding! Chicago __________________ TLCA#16202, KE7VAT Toyota family: 88 FJ62 (Fairly built) 06 4runner...wifes rig! 06 Tacoma, DD, BONE STOCK and staying that way! PROUD member of the WEST COAST BLOTCHERS and the Battle Born Cruisers of Northern Nevada! GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!!

02-22-07, 02:49 PM	#22
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 10,873	DC stick is fairly easy. With a ready welder and the AC/DC machine you can weld almost anything __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game." Last edited by Mace; 02-23-07 at 11:22 AM.

02-23-07, 10:34 AM	#23
splitshot What's next? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Podunk, Arizona Posts: 1,552	AC/DC is good for speakers too.... __________________ '69 fj40 CSC#103 A dry heat still cooks a turkey

02-26-07, 05:10 PM	#26
chicago IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 3,032	I just fired up my stick welder for the first time!!! HOLY SH*T, what a diference from the mig! I was still in the "BURN IN" mode from the lil 110v...I really had to pick up my pace as I was GOUGING the base metal! The first few passes were just AWFUL!!!! I did about 20 or so passes trying this and that, using 3/32 electrodes and 1/8 in electrodes, and they got to look pretty good. The DC+ seemed to function best out of the AC, DC+ and DC-. The AC setting, I tried a few times and didnt mess with it again. A NEW TOY!!! The 3/32 rod was a BITCH to start an arc on...I remeber that from my high school shop class, and bad memories came back. Very fun! Chicago __________________ TLCA#16202, KE7VAT Toyota family: 88 FJ62 (Fairly built) 06 4runner...wifes rig! 06 Tacoma, DD, BONE STOCK and staying that way! PROUD member of the WEST COAST BLOTCHERS and the Battle Born Cruisers of Northern Nevada! GO CUBS!!!!!!!!!!!