HH175 Stick Welder Conversion

[Al T.]

I need a stick welder when my hh175 can't get into tight spaces because of the nozzle.

Since I do not have the money to buy a decent brand of stick welder, I ordered instead a 200 amp electrod holder with wire from HF for $17.00. This will be used with hh175 power supply to do stick welding. I am going install an auxillery switch on the gun connections (might be a foot pedal type or mounted on the cabinet) keep the gas valves closed and open the clamp on the wire feeder.

I think its going make a great arc welder. Has anyone elsa tried this?


:cool:

[Hobart Expert Rock]

AL T......... BAD NEWS THE HANDLER IS A CONSTANT VOLTAGE MACHINE............A STICK WELDER IS CONSTANT CURRENT..... YOU WILL MAX OUT THE HANDLER WHEN YOU STRIKE YOUR ARC AND THE PC BOARD WILL FAIL FROM FULL OUTPUT....... HMMM
THINK OF IT LIKE THIS USUALLY THE CONSTANT CURRENT MACHINES HAVE HIGHT VOLTAGE (STICK MACHINES) SAY 70 VOLTS DC.... CONSTANT VOLTAGE MACHINES (MIG MACHINES) HAVE LOW VOLTAGE.........SAY 20 OR 30 VOLTS DC......... LOW VOLTAGE TO BURN OFF SMALL DIAMETER WIRES, BIG VOLTAGES TO BURN RODS AND FLUX OFF.............

WON'T WORK I SUGGEST YOU BREAK DOWN AND BUY A STICK MACHINE.........AFTER YOUR HANDLER DIES YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO WELD ANYTHING THEN.....:eek: THEN YOU WILL BE DEAD IN THE WATER AND MAD.........ROCK....
SSCOTT@MILLERWELDS.COM

[Roger]

Should be able to buy small stick welder good brand name used for $100. or less.

[morpheus]

I'm with Roger. I see decent used stick machines for $75-100 .

- jack

[Al T.]

Thanks for all your input, I guess I'll be searching the yard sales for a buzz box.

[Mike Sherman]

Al, consider a spool of self shielded flux core wire. This will allow you to remove the nozzle and use a long electode stick out. No modifications are necessary to the welder.

[Al T.]

Excellant idea Mike! I was so intent on getting stick capabilities to get into tight spaces that it didn't dawn on me to use the flux cored wire.

Thanks for the Wakeup Call!
Al

[Dan]

Originally posted by Mike Sherman
Al, consider a spool of self shielded flux core wire. This will allow you to remove the nozzle and use a long electode stick out. No modifications are necessary to the welder.

Al T

As usual Mike has a good idea here. However, a 10 lbs spool of self shielded wire is going to be around $50. If I were you I would still checkout the local paper, garage sales, pawn shops, and used tool stores. A good used 230 amp AC buzz box is going to allow you to weld thicker material that is beyond the capabilities of your HH 175 .

Actually, If Im not mistaken I think you can get a new 230 amp AC buzzbox for around $200. I think one place to lok would be Sears.

[bitternut]

AI T and Dan

I have to disagree on the price of fluxcore wire. I have posted one example of what it costs for 10# of .035 fluxcore. This is an example only but is one type of wire that I have used. I prefer Fabshield but I have had trouble finding it, especially in .035". Mike is right about taking the nozzle off. With the nozzle off you can get into some pretty tight spots. I learned that trick a few months ago on this group. You can also see the puddle real good with the nozzle removed. Me, I love my fluxcore. If I ever need to weld sheetmetal I will have to use my bottle of gas and solid wire though.

Item # Description Price Qty Extended
ED016354 Lincoln NR211 MP .035 10Lb SP 31.74 x 10 LB $31.74
SubTotal $31.74
Sales Tax
(Illinois Orders Only) $0.00
Shipping FAQs Change Shipping Method:Std. Deliv. Next Day Will Call Std Delivery $6.08
Total $37.82
To Order, just select the "Checkout Now" option below.
To Delete items first place a check in front of each line to be deleted then select delete.
To Change Quantities enter desired quantity and select "Record Invoice Change".
To Add PO Number FIRST COMPLETE ORDER, then select "Checkout" and enter P.O. number.



lbs (10 lbs. / $6.08) var rate (ratable 0 / $) total ship = $6.08

[Dan]

Originally posted by bitternut
AI T and Dan

I have to disagree on the price of fluxcore wire. I have posted one example of what it costs for 10# of .035 fluxcore. This is an example only but is one type of wire that I have used. I prefer Fabshield but I have had trouble finding it, especially in .035". Mike is right about taking the nozzle off. With the nozzle off you can get into some pretty tight spots. I learned that trick a few months ago on this group. You can also see the puddle real good with the nozzle removed. Me, I love my fluxcore. If I ever need to weld sheetmetal I will have to use my bottle of gas and solid wire though.

Item # Description Price Qty Extended
ED016354 Lincoln NR211 MP .035 10Lb SP 31.74 x 10 LB $31.74
SubTotal $31.74
Sales Tax
(Illinois Orders Only) $0.00
Shipping FAQs Change Shipping Method:Std. Deliv. Next Day Will Call Std Delivery $6.08
Total $37.82
To Order, just select the "Checkout Now" option below.
To Delete items first place a check in front of each line to be deleted then select delete.
To Change Quantities enter desired quantity and select "Record Invoice Change".
To Add PO Number FIRST COMPLETE ORDER, then select "Checkout" and enter P.O. number.



lbs (10 lbs. / $6.08) var rate (ratable 0 / $) total ship = $6.08

Bitternut
Feel free to correct me anytime you need to, I know my wife sure does. Maybe you can E mail Al T info on the cheapest suppliers you have found.
My price estimation came from Cyberweld. My experience with purchasing self shielded fluxcore wire amounts to a total of one 10lbs roll. Bought it for an outdoor project that I couldn t easily protect from the wind. I disliked the stuff so I gave it to my father in law with my small 135 amp 120 volt wire feeder that was collecting a thick layer of dust on it.

What I was trying to get across to Al T is that the stick machine would come in handy too for thicker material.

[Al T.]

Thanks guys for your help and emails. The fluxcore will get me by for now and gives me time to save my pennies for a 200 amp+ stick welder. I learned on a $80 140amp HarborFreight POS ac stick welder and after alot of trial and error got pretty good at it.

Dan your right about the thicker weld jobs, I'm sure I'll need to do one of those in the future. Right now 3/16 steel is the thickest I work with. My welding cart project is taking shape and should be finished in a week or so. I only get a few hours a week to work on my projects. It's a hobby.

[Mike Sherman]

Just a note concerning some of your thoughts about flux core. When properly handled, set up and applied it is capable of producing excellent quality (even x-ray quality) low hydrogen welds in unlimited thickness material.

[GWOL]

MIKE,

good point on the flux core wire. I know Iam just learning, but have had great luck with using it. I know that by using gas, solid wire I would be getting better looking welds, but that is not a concern for the type of stuff Iam learning on. And with less things to worry about with flux cored wire, I can concentrate on weld technique better.

[Arbo]

I'm with Mike on this one. I am running one of those bright red 125 amp machines. (I won't mention the name here.) :rolleyes: I use .035 flux core for everything I do. As long as you realize the limits of the machine, you can do just about anything. I love it for the convenience. I can throw it in the back of the truck and take it anywhere that there is an outlet. I know that gas shielded gives prettier welds, but there isn't a thing wrong with a good flux core weld!

[Mike Sherman]

The appearance of your welds with flux core wire is simply a matter of experience and the technique that comes with it. Most of the welders in my employ can make exceptional looking welds with all processes - FCAW, SMAW, GMAW and GTAW. Keep practicing, it will come to you.

[shortarc]

Mike

Just wondered if you had any recomendations on flux core wire, brands, numbers, etc. I'm running a small 220 volt machine and usualy use .35 and have found some brands weld better than others.

[Tim]

I have a small 85 amp mig welder and use nothing but flux core with it. With a little practice...You can make a flux core bead look just as good as using wire and gas.
Tim

[Ed Heimbach]

Just remember to change tip polarity when changing wires.