Titanium Flux 125 Welder...is it a good FIRST welder??

With ZERO welding experience, can you weld with this cheap, entry level welder??????

[MugOfPaul]

The definition of bravery is posting welds to the Internet. To post your FIRST welds on a popular YT channel is downright legendary.

[apostema]

So is the secret ingredient a little courage and humility? Not many guys would want to make their first welding attempt public. Thanks for showing us how it is done.

[RoundBoyRanch]

Brother, I'll give you mad props!! I'm actually a welder/fabricator for 30 years and you'll never see my welds on YouTube, respect!

[eperotti]

50-something here. I am taking a welding class at the local community college. I love that we get 3 hours a week hands on plus an hour of lecture. We also will work thru all the major welding types - stick, MIG, flux core… just a good way to dabble on the cheap

[WisconsinWanderer]

In my 20’s I was a welder for a few years learned in shop class in high school, now in my late 60’s with more time than $$ I bought the cheapest Harbor Freight flux core welder $150.00 replaced my floor pans in my truck and having fun with it. And now my neighbor is tapping me on the shoulder 😂always a pleasure to watch Dave ☮️

[joelgoody]

I've the exact welder you have, as a certified welder...20 yrs ago when I was building garbage truck bodies...pour the coals to it with this welder, heat setting on a higher setting, dial in wire speed. If ya blow thru, move wand quicker, or dial heat down a notch or two. Also, you don't drag the bead, you push it. So, when welding right handed, you weld right to left pushing the bead along as you go holding wand at angle like this but more like a 45 degree to the work. That keeps the heat in the steel.
I've welded a bunch with mine, for the price, it welds beautifully once correct settings, remember, amps are your friend when welding. Penetration is key to a weld.

[pinebearclub]

So never welding before, I borrowed a buddy’s machine and with a bunch of donated steel shelving, I glued together my frame that supports my van build.
What a feeling! I’m like a god! I can stick metal together!
Now with confidence abound, I bought a production roof rack and cut it down to the size I needed and proceeded to glue it all back together.

Three years later, everything is still intact and I couldn’t be happier. This video brings back great memories!

Thanks Dave!

Bryan from Vancouver

[PB-oknm]

There’s a phenomenon on YouTube, where you’ll have a very specific question about a car from the 80’s, or how to tie a bow tie, and the perfect teacher will present themselves at the click of a button. This is the first time I’ve been able to see the opposite end of the equation of a non relevant question being answered to such depth, great video!

[bigmosept]

As the KING of boogerweld land, you sir, are better than I at welding on your first day. In all fairness I have attempted to weld a total of 5 times in my 53yrs on earth. A true welder told me it takes many hours of practicing and I'm never going to be good at it trying it once every 10 years. Love you channel, keep the content flowin...

[danmchugh]

The best quote I've heard for when your welds aren’t pretty is; "a grinder and paint make me the welder I ain’t". Love the content!

[rednecktek]

I bought one of those when they were first released, used it and abused it FOR YEARS until last month when it finally died after so many trips off-roading, and countless miles of wire run through it. I replaced it at opening the next morning. I've run that thing off of generators and solar inverters, and Blue Demon actually has a stainless wire that runs great in there if you need it. I've done as thick as 5/8" to 5/16" steel by just doing a couple extra passes. I LOVE that thing!!

[Going_with_gopher]

So many people out here have used this video to get started and I want to say thank you!

[robertgraves]

I considered going to welding school, a guy on a forum said "you don't need that, for a fraction of that tuition you can buy a top of the line welder. Then practice with it, pass the basic test, and then get an apprenticeship." I dropped the project, because I have one bad eye that had cataract surgery, repetitive- strain neck pain, , and I do worry about breathing the fumes. I grew up in the 70's so I probably already have 3-4 lbs. of lead in my bones lol. I did watch Welding Tips and Tricks, as you probably have . That guy started a lot of carreers. Another great video Dave, thanks.

[letzrockitrite]

Helpful hint: crank the amperage up until it's possible to blow through ... say at about the 3 second spot if you held it in the same place.... now you'll have enough heat to keep moving the "puddle" from the puddle forward into the "needs to be welded" section in those circles, with your hands locked in somehow ... ya know... same as the guitar .... ya gotta be locked in then lastly ... since you can blow through in 3 seconds.. the key to weld strength is penetration .... between 2/3 and 5/8 of the way through the material you're working with is about perfect... not too deep for blowing through but deep enough that the weld will actually do it's job.
I'm sure you've figured out the feed speed so it's working for you.... Thanks Mr. Dave once again for the share sir !

[abogue]

Dave I was always taught.."A grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't.." You did good 👍.

[TronpointOh]

I love that welder. I bought the same one, built a time machine with it, traveled back to 2014, bought Bitcoin and came back. Now I'm a kabillionaire!!!! Thanks Harbor Freight!

[budc]

I’ve got one just like it. I started building a rocket stove but was frustrated with my welds. You’ve inspired me to get my machine back out…thanks, Dave!

[alive.off-grid]

Dave I worked in a Foundry for a few years. And I learned how to TIG weld while I work there. I bought a MIG welder for the house just so I could weld a few things together. And I ended up welding my own bumper out of 316 plate with a small Lincoln hobby welder . My welds turned out very well my boss was very happy with my welding and he said that a hobby welder does a pretty good job just as well as a Industrial, as far as hobby welding goes. It's good for a quick fix when you need it

[vincentmartinez]

I've owned mine for about 3 years. I never really welded prior to owning it. Since then I've built about 12 barbecue pits (1/8-3/8) thick metal and done sheet metal repair on my 1951 and 1947 Chevrolets. Also sheet metal repair on a few other classic car projects. The work has turned out really great and I'm enjoying doing it. All on a Harbor Freight budget. I really enjoy your videos and way of living.

[Lysander_Spooner]

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to watch a video like this. I too bought that welder and my welds looked like yours. I also practiced a lot and now they're looking better. Thanks for your transparency and humbleness, the world needs more of it.😊