HF welding machine ???

[NevadaBlue]

Somehow, aluminum got involved in the discussion. I just wanted to add a bit of experience in this corner of the welding discussion. They do make DC aluminum welding rods. They are like welding with a pooping bird... sorry, but that is about how it works.
Many years ago I was a heavy equipment mechanic, working underground. We were running 988 cats and of course something was always being broken. Some guy ran the exhaust of the loader into a low area of the back (roof of the mine), breaking a large aluminum casting that wasn’t in stock or readily available. I’m always ready for a challenge and we had some of the DC aluminum rods... nobody had ever used them. I took the casting (fairly thick walled thing), ground out the cracks (it was broken in pieces), clamped it down and proceeded to splatter bird poop on it. It was NOT pretty, but it worked. I ground it out, cleaned it up and had the loader going again. So, IF you have something aluminum that needs repaired and YOU are the only one around to do it, at least try. I also have some aluminum ‘welding rods’ (more like solder I think) from Harbor Freight that are also said to work. I haven’t tried yet.

[KTM_Guy]

Yup, add a high frequency unit and you can weld aluminum. Won’t be as good as a dedicated TIG but it works. One of the reasons those old stick AC/DC welders are holding some value. Spend some time on Google or YouTube tons of info out there.

Todd

Todd, I'm assuming if the Tombstone is labeled AC, this wouldn't work??? Has to be a AC/DC unit??

DC Is what is needed for mild steel and stainless steel. AC is needed for aluminum. I don’t know anyone that has setup a TIG to weld aluminum with one of these setups but have seen it online.

Todd

[GPW]

Almost two weeks later we haven’t heard anything about the welding machine we purchased on Oct. 12 from HF …. Although they promised it on the next truck , that didn’t happen … now they’re saying Nov. 8 …
I sent an e-mail , but that hasn’t brought any real response other than they would advise the local store manager … grrrr!!!!

[GPW]

So I complained to HF and they got a machine from another store (?) Tried it out , it works very nicely … so far …

[twisted lines]

So I complained to HF and they got a machine from another store (?) Tried it out , it works very nicely … so far …

Glad to here it's working out well

[GTS225]

So I complained to HF and they got a machine from another store (?) Tried it out , it works very nicely … so far …

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Ok, so why couldn't your local store think of that, or pursue it themselves? I'm thinking you might want to question the caliber of their management.

Just sayin".....Roger

[GPW]

Rog , They don’t hire rocket scientists to sell cheap tools … The KF people have been Nice , understaffed , they’re just not too helpful …

[GTS225]

Rog , They don’t hire rocket scientists to sell cheap tools … The KF people have been Nice , understaffed , they’re just not too helpful …

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SIGH! I keep forgetting that when I went through public school, they actually taught you how to think. Nowadays, they just feed you info, and want you to remember it long enough to regurgitate it back out onto a test.

Roger

[GPW]

Rog, remember when they taught you things that you’d actually use later on in life … Now it’s rare to fine a Trade school …

[GPW]

Welding along , the machine working fine ( especially for someone with so little welding experience )…

[OP827]

That is good to know . Did you use .30 or .35 flux core wire?

[RJ Howell]

Those welds look pretty good to me.

You should see some of mine..

I can solder or braze, yet welding is just past me.. I need to practice it more!

With what you're doing, and this thread, I brought out my torch again to practice up on brazing and torch welding. It just kills me that I can do this and not get the hang of a stick or Mig welder...

So from me:

[NevadaBlue]

From here too!

[GPW]

OP … We’re using the .030 wire that came with it … bought another spool as a spare …
I called an old friend over , a retired welder , and he looked everything over and set the machine for us … And he also told us he bought a small machine like that for himself at home ( he also has my 220V Lincoln doghouse stick welding machine on extended loan ) ...and said that was the “kind" of welds they produced ( flux core ) So we’re all good . Going to get back to it today !!! More Fun !!! 

It was a problem at first , I was burning through the thin metal , but after a little practice and we were making fairly decent spot welds …
Ps. The machine is now set on it's lowest voltage ( for this auto body metal ) and just above that for wire speed ... Works great , and is so small and portable … !!! Wish it had a longer AC cord though , as we wanted to weld outside , but had no outlet close enough … I have a very HD ext cord but was afraid to use it …

Good opportunity for my helper to learn welding , he’s having fun too ! Here’s a pic of him having a go at it ...

[retep]

I'd be happy with that... in fact if you feel like practicing on a Mustang that needs a few welds. Lol

You did great

Cheers
Peter


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