Harbor Freight Titanium Flux 125: The Little Welder that CAN Handle a Big Job! (#146)

The Harbor Freight Titanium Flux125 welder has served me very well on the small projects I’ve done so far like my front-end loader chainsaw and tool carrier. And fire extinguisher holder. But I’ve not tried any heavy-duty welding – until today.

In this video we'll see if the welder can handle big job: welding 3/8” steel, which is twice as thick as it’s rated for. NOTE: I am NOT recommending you weld anything beyond your welder's ratings, but I can’t resist trying for myself. And I may regret it later.

In an earlier video I covered how my first BXpanded Quick-On Backhoe Connector broke while digging through some very rocky ground. To their credit, BXpanded replaced it at no charge but less than a year later, the replacement broke in the same way while moving some logs. It became clear to me that there was a design flaw that created a weak point in the connector. I removed it from the backhoe and set it aside thinking I might try to repair it and strengthen it with the Flux125. That day as come. Find out if it can do it.

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#DIY #RuralLiving #Kubota #Tractors

[AXNJXN]

This was a remarkable video! It crushes the concept about Flux core welding may not be sufficient. The price for this machine, including careful insight, fabrication and welding as shown, proves how good this small priced welder is! I have one and mutually can’t find anything it isn’t able to accomplish as a DIYer myself. Excellent before and after shots/video, thank you!

[garyswartz]

This has got to be the most informative video I’ve seen yet about the titanium easy flux 125 welder on YouTube.

[MikeD-neie]

Thank you so much for making this video. It not only proves the welder, but shows the thoughts behind your repair!

[jasonholloway]

From a fellow Titanium 125 owner, great job!

Only constructive criticism I can offer-the INE wire used is rated for single pass. Lincoln has a flux core multiple-pass rated wire that would be better suited for that work. I would also suggest the .035 wire for 3/8" thick plate, as it provides slightly more filler and flux.

On the plus side, your prep, execution, testing ahead of time, and beveling of your base metal was very well done, very sound principles for others to follow! I expect that your repair will last many years.

[Cameron_D]

When using gasless wire I would recommend e71t-11 "not" e71t-gs. GS wire is single pass only. e71t-11 is dual pass, burns hotter to I think. That's my 2-cents on gasless welding, I liked the video too.

[richardbartlett]

Nice job! Nothin better than having an idea that not only works, but is better than new when finished!

[iskoos]

I rarely give thumbs up to the videos before I get to the end of it. I did on this one :)
This is an excellent DIY video. You sir probably spent more time on video capturing and editing than the welding job itself.
Thank you.

[ytnax]

You are an awesome person. Thank you for taking the time to show what this little welder can do!

[INKJAX]

i use my titanium on everything. even up to 1/2".. not a great idea but, the weld had held for 2 years and no flex or cracking. the piece i welded gets tortured so i know its not just a sitting piece...
its my normal "in truck savior" ! i use it everywhere and "sold" at least 5 of them to others who were sceptical... the ONLY issue, no replacement parts... on the good side, its covered under the warranty and im told they are now making some parts that are available online. it cant be beat for under 200.00 . i recently built 240 feet of ADA sch 40 railings. solid and stable. i have used it on many different trailers and large items like 2"x6"x1/4" c channel with no issues. very solid welds ! even the inspector was impressed with its performance.. be patient, it WILL burn a lot deeper than you think !! its a great portable welder !

[clicknstack]

Why your channel doesn't have 5 million subscribers is beyond reason. Bravo, sir.

[jeremiahkastner]

I would have put a pin through both the holes while welding it to make sure it stays in perfect alignment. Thanks for sharing this experiment.

[lelandcox]

A BIG BLACK EYE FOR HARBOR FREIGHT
I have a Harbor freight TITANIUM FLUX 125 WELDER purchased from Harbor Freight a couple years ago. I am a retired plumbing contractor and backyard hobbyist. I love to build things in my spare time and help friends and neighbors that need something repaired. When I retired and closed my business, I had a stick welding machine but had no convenient place to connect it at my home! It would require an upgrade to my electrical service not worth the trouble and expense! When I saw a couple reviews on YouTube for this Titanium 125 welder, I thought that would be the way to go. I already had a 110 Volt 30 Amp circuit to my workshop!
It took me a while to get adjusted to the flux wire welding. I built a minibike from scrap pipe I had left over from the plumbing shop. The welder allowed me to make other things and make repairs for others I wouldn’t be able to do without it.
In the middle of my last project, I cut a couple pieces of metal and got ready to weld them and when I pushed the button on the welder, nothing happened! It was dead! The fan did not come on but the light on the ON/OFF indicated there was power to the welder. I checked the manual for a reset button or a fuse and found no mention of either.
So, I called the Harbor Freight 800 number and was told there was no repair for this welder. Harbor Freight has no repair facility, and no support is available. I was told by two different tech reps there is no schematics or parts list available from the factory where this is manufactured. “It is not worth getting it repaired and cheaper to go purchase a new one!” If you purchase this welder or many other things from Harbor Freight You only have 3 Months Warranty. It is considered disposable after that!
All the reviews and discussion I have read about HARBOR FREIGHT I have never seen anything about their total lack of support for their products! I didn’t even get an “I’m sorry” or any offer for a discount on a new welding machine!
I am retired, was an electronics technician in the Navy, active Ham Radio operator and electronics hobbyist. I feel like the electronics in this welding machine is straight forward non computer controlled and any decent electronics tech should be able to repair this given reasonable support. I removed the circuit board from the welder and found where a small component burned of course not knowing the component value or purpose will make it difficult to replace. Providing a schematic and parts list is a very inexpensive form of support that should be a minimum requirement. Their claim to revenue of 7 Billion Dollars tells me they could afford it!

Leland Cox

[loveydoveyu]

I have the same one. I changed the ground clamp and use lincoln .35 flux core wire. Great welder!

[bobd.fletcherjr]

I've got the same welder and I absolutely love it can't beat Bob Elkhart

[russelljohnson]

I too think it looks fine and you did a great job in your repair efforts. I believe it will hold up for years to come!

[TempoDrift]

Right on, thanks for taking the time to film this. I think its time for me to get into light welding. Sometimes I have small 50-60 second tack weld jobs that I need done but anytime I go to a welding shop or speak with someone its like AM radio static in their brain, like they have no clue what I'm talking about. So after 15 minutes of head scratching and Huh? Hmmm, Aaaah, Duh, I finally realize that they probably can't do it anyway. This would be perfect for around the yard angle iron and sheet metal I suppose.

[ItsaboutMakingnotBuying]

The little welder's pay for them self's real fast. Any weld that holds like it should is a good weld. Nice job. Later

[frenchonion]

I bought it as my first welder and it's going great thus far. The thing barely makes any splatter the power seems more than adequate actually it seems too hot for the recommended setting at times. Smallest welder i have ever seen too. Most guys got big monsters but don't weld much. This thing is perfect for most hobbyist. If you weld a lot then yeah you'll want a higher duty cycle machine but this really is awesome and cheap too. Welding up my truck frame right now

[billbray]

It is always a sense of accomplishment when you can repair it yourself. Nice not having to purchase inferior and expensive parts and keeping cost to a minimum

[DMHRC]

I bought a Lincoln 135 years ago thinking I'd weld a few mower decks with it. Over the years I've built trailers, flatbeds, and one dump truck with it. I have a stick welder for the bigger stuff but hardly use it compared to the little mig welder. They're incredibly handy for these projects and often a huge money saver. Great work!