Titanium vs Chicago Electric Flux Core Welders (Harbor Freight)

Titanium vs Chicago Electric Flux Core Welders (Harbor Freight)
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[@denoftools]

Sorry, this video isn't more polished. Big change for doing welding videos. I'll have it all down for the next one. Speaking of which, what sort of welding stuff would you like to see?

[@Yeastherder]

The Den of Tools more welding for beginners videos.

[@thedodgelover08]

Tig welding! Ac/dc!

[@pyropeople]

I want to see a review of the titanium 225 SMAW welder and how it runs 7018, 6010, 6011, and 6013 rods 1/8" and 3/32". There is no videos or information on this welder on KZbin on how it burns rods.

[@teamgreen02]

The opposite of welding, cutting torches.

[@Gobert-fj8mu]

Can you do a video of how to upgrade the welders?

[@dezfan]

I’ve been drooling over one of those Titanium Flux core welders! I’m not a pro and I don’t give a flying flip what the “pros” think about my welds. As long as it’s strong, that all that matters to me. I’ll use my grinder and paint to make it purdy! 👍🏼

[@leos9865]

I was a welder for 38 years. Did most work for Caltrans here in Calif. All we used was flux core 5 times faster than stick welding. If your welder puts out DC then the weld will look better and not to much splatter.

[@mechantics]

You were a weldor, the machine is a welder. Sorry for being that guy 😂

[@jonsmith3723]

Thank you for this video. I have been doing a lot of repair work since I retired and can't believe how much I enjoy it. There have been a few occasions where welding skills would have come in handy but I figured at 67 years old it wasn't worth trying to learn. After watching your video, and seeing how cheap welders can be, I may give it a try after all. Now I just need to find something that needs welding. Hope bear mating season is just around the corner.

[@melgross]

I’ve been welding since 1973, so it’s been a while. What I’ve found over that time is that flux core can give excellent welds. Actually, a lot of structural welding is done with flux core. Yes, flux core, not stick. But, I’ve also found that it’s harder for beginners to weld with MiG than with flux core. MiG is fairly easy, but you still have to learn how to use it. With stick, if you’re doing structural welds, you do have to grind your metal clean before welding. In fact, you always have to clean the material before welding if someone is going to sit on it, lean on it, or be under it. If it’s decorative, it may not matter. My main welder is an ESAB emp 205, and excellent machine. But I occasionally need to weld in one of my shops where I can’t get the ESAB to easily, much less the bottles, and where stick is too dangerous (indoors). So I bought this little welder. Surprisingly, it’s pretty good, within it’s limitations. I don’t find the work clamp (mistakenly usually called a ground clamp) to be an issue for this machine. There isn’t enough amperage for the clamp, with the max at 125A, and with that being used for short periods of time. The machine will shut off from overheating before the clamp becomes hot. Just put the clamp on the work itself if possible, and make sure you use the entire clamp, not just the tip, which many people do. I’ve made some really good welds with the built-in clamp. A better clamp won’t hurt, but this is a low power machine. One important thing. Don’t ever weld on a concrete floor! There’s a chance the concrete will explode. And remember that the tip on this thing is live when the trigger is pressed. If you touch the work with the tip, it can weld to the work. I like the interior button to advance the wire when loading the torch. I don’t like that there are no indications on the wire pressure. There’s no way to notice a number when removing the old spool and putting a new one in, so you have to fiddle. By the way, some companies call flux core gasless MiG. Sorry, there’s no such thing. MiG is MiG, and flux core is flux core. Anyway, I can recommend this for the price. Just don’t think that chicken track globs on metal is a good weld. I see that on channels too much. Go to the pro welding sites, it’s worth it.

[@mechantics]

I appreciate the warning about welding on concrete! 1 I wanted to extrapolate on, as you said, when the trigger is depressed the wire is live. Harbor Freight has been selling Chicago electric welders for years and years now. If anyone remembers the blue ones, I know for a fact that those are always hot whether or not the trigger is depressed. I'm not sure if that carried over to the flux 90 series that looks much like the flux 125 machine, but it's worthwhile to take a look if unsure as to how your machine is designed

[@copewy22]

I got the titanium 170 not long after they came out and it works very well. I'm not a full time welder but have been welding for over 20 years, I just wanted a machine for the house so I didn't have to hall my projects to work. It has done a fantastic job with everything from 16 gauge to 1/4".

[@k9cop]

Welding with Crocs on is fun until you catch a bb, then you'll never do that again.

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

Leather socks

[@ViktorBludov]

i scrolled down to make the same comment 🤣🤣

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Never make a mistake less than 10x

[@leftycottonbelly3312]

duuuuuuude i thought i was the only one lol 😂

[@speclt]

Did that today, first and last time

[@ThIzZi31]

I worked at a blacksmith shop for about 3 years and we installed soooooo many gates and fences with and welded them ALL with a Lincoln 140 with flux wire. Mostly 1/4 metal. Worked great! Cant use gas if it's too windy!

[@patzke]

One of the better, most informative head-to-head comparisons I think. Thanks.

[@BradsWorkbench]

Go back and watch my "4 projects for under $25" video, all those welds on the wrench lamps were made with the Chicago 125 with the stock wire. It just spatters more BUT i had plenty of seamless welds. Did some preheating on the thicker metal in some spots. I've also done 1/4" plate with a deep bevel to help the penetration

[@rustycrustymakesstuff6528]

I got the Titanium 170 and used it to put my 03 Ranger frame back together. I used flux core and the only regret I have is I wish I would’ve gotten a multi-pass wire. The Vulcan wire is single pass. So far it’s holding up. I learned about multi-pass after I made the repair. So far been very pleased with it. These DC welders weld smooth as butter and are super portable. It should last me years the way I use it.

[@Blake_the_Drake]

I was just looking at this in the mailer o got today, been thinking of grabbing a welder, can't wait to watch it!

[@LetUsKnot]

Actually speaking from the perspective of a experienced Nuclear Submarine Welder who MIGS everyday, there's a major difference between a good mig welder and a average MIG welder. When you have all types of MT, VT, and X Ray inspections that follow, and you're working in very tighten enclosed spaces with tough angles and joints that need to be welded horizontally vertically and overhead without starts and stops, it takes quite the skilled welder to achieve quality weld.

[@robertblackshear8963]

Absolutely. I did shipyards and hated the confined spaces especially coastguard boats and I have to say given your experience on submarines, x-ray city lol. Good comment.

[@clinttorres2508]

Why is there so much welding to do on a submarine everyday..is it coming apart at the seams daily

[@g60rado12]

@@clinttorres2508 No, these guys probably works at the shipyard where submarines comes in for overhaul or repairs...sometimes they have to do haul cuts etc. It's not like you're literally underwater and the seams are coming off or anything in that nature.

[@incorrigiblerogue1193]

Newport News or Groton? I went thru the apprentice school at NNS then spent 8 years as a fitter. X11 all day ✊

[@brandonnecessary]

Someone returned a one of the Chicago electric 125 amps back to the store. Got it for 37 bucks and it even had the nicer wire in it.

[@mechantics]

I bought 11 of them for $17.50 ea! Sold 10 on OfferUp for $65 ea, figured at least one wouldn't work.....100% function!

[@user-dy2xu3uv8k]

@@mechantics where did you get the deal on the 11?

[@meme5887]

@@mechantics you got the welder for $11??

[@meme5887]

How'd he get it for $37??

[@brandonnecessary]

@@meme5887 Someone had returned it to the store and they had marked it down to resale it.

[@yamahaxs6501]

I had to do some welding in Alaska a few years back out in the middle of nowhere. Used a small 110 flux core machine hooked to a small honda generator...and put out some quality welds. If you can really weld, you can make these little machines work pretty well. They provide a great way for anybody to learn to weld. If you can weld with one of these after putting some time in learning, when you do get a good machine, you'll appreciate it that much more.

[@Troph2]

Been a welder for 14 years, flux core works fine, I use .030 to 3/32 on a monthly basis, it's smokey and it has clean up but it welds fine (even meets code) if the settings are correct. Dollar for dollar though I see used century welders for sale cheap all the time and you just can't kill those damn things. The key with 110/120 welders is prep, get all that mill scale off, maybe even bevel your welds if you can (if you can run one pass you can run 3).

[@mikehamilton3833]

Hey Bear. Going to upgrade to Titanium from HF black wire welder. Your video really show the difference in the burn. Thanks.

[@MrTommy001]

I bought one of those cheapo Harbor Freight Chicago Electric welders about two years ago. Haven't fired it up YET! First, I was afraid I would start a fire as I tried to use it between my two sheds (about 10 feet apart). Then there was another issue that took me out of town for almost a year. Anyway, after watching your video (and one or two more from others using the 'cheapo' welder), I'm ready to give it a try. Problem now is, we're covered in snow - and it's 26° out. Nevertheless, your vid has convinced I need to step up and give this a try - before I get too old (I'm 75 now!). Thank you so much.

[@nathanpellman3600]

I started out stick welding mastering that made learning mig and tig real easy that being said flux core has its place a lot of places do dual shield that is flux core and shield gas at the same time.

[@jdreynolds29]

I have the old 90amp and the 125 amp Chicago electric but they both got ruined last week in the flooding we had in Houston. When I get back on my feet again I guess it will be time to upgrade. Both of them I did upgrade the grounding clamps immediately and it did make a significant difference

[@wizard3z868]

another tip i used on a frnds flux core welder 15yrs ago use 10 guage wire all we had was a generator and an extension cord worked like sht till i made a cord out of 10 guage wire i just happened to have

[@SantaNMS]

Good video, Red! I know very little about welding and I learned a lot in this video. You are a good teacher!

[@jacklabloom635]

Thanks for the comparison and advice on ground clamp.

[@andraealston8478]

I love you for this I have a rod burner but I have been looking for a flux you just helped in my decision thank you

[@waynek848]

Great video. Lots of good information. I want to get into welding for furniture building. I think that Titanium would do the trick nicely. Thanks for the content!

[@wrathofsocrus]

I'd love to see these cheap boxes used for sheet metal. There are tons of easy sources for scrap sheet metal to throw together quick tool trays and other projects that don't need professional quality welds. I don't know what the newer Chicago Electric boxes are like, but my older one had a horribly short and undersized power cord, I think 6' of 16ga wire. I put about 12' of 10ga on mine right out of the box. The extra length is handy and I'd imagine a fair bit less voltage drop with the thicker wire.

[@BayAreaMCs]

The titanium unit kicks the crap out of the 90 amp welder. Honestly I’ve been really impressed with the titanium’s quality and adjustability for the price. It gives the lincoln equivalent a run for its money in my opinion

[@577buttfan]

Ive done so many projects with the black box it works great.Cant wait till I get the new green machine you guys praise.

[@douglasallman1039]

Great video. I have the Metalman 80 volt stick which works great. And it was on clearance from Tractor Supply for over half of the regular price. I also bought the JobSmart 125 flux core welder. I have not had a chance to unbox and use it. but I am getting there. Flux core is great because the metal does not have to be super clean and you can weld outside. And you don't have to worry about a bottle. Which gets expensive. Thank you for this welding video. God Bless and waiting on the next video.

[@Eluderatnight]

1 added a Full wave bridge rectifier and a capacitor to my 90amp and it makes nice beads now. Then the 180 went on clearance...

[@bretlambky]

I have a small flux core welder. It’s great for tack welding and if it’s clean material it works well. For the novice or beginner these are not bad. If you are doing auto sheet metal these are not bad. I have a box stick welder for anything real serious. The small wire feed is great on 3/16 material. A good beveled edge on the material and a few passes you can get 1/4 up to 3/8 material welded.

[@papahajek5383]

The type of wire you use doing multi-pass is important. The GS will become brittle while the 711 will not. Flux core was available for very heavy structural welding for a long time. Electrode negative is used for FCAW vs electrode positive for MIG

[@DavidFloer]

I bought the Chicago 90 amp welder about 3 yrs ago to build a engine hoist, it was ok, it did do the job. I am not a welder either, but I'm a lot better at it now. I kinda messed the first one up and bought another one. I welded to long and the over heat light came on several time when I was welding. Oil well that go with the territory. But I did upgrade to the Titanium 200 unlimited and what a welder, a bit expensive but I did get the 15% off coupon on anything in the store and got the 2 yr warranty to boot with the savings. This thing has not over heated once and I can do some welding and not have to stop to let it cool down. I use the flux core on this, being that I have a lot of wire left from the other welder. I'm building a frame with in a frame HF canopy 10x20 and going to put a hard roof on it! I guess I'm one of those HF nuts! lol. I have a channel here to and have videos on the stuff I build. You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. I have a garage full of HF tools. Have a good one! I've only been following you for a short time but I like your video's !

[@RedRoyce]

Welding was the one thing my dad didn't teach me how to do. He know how to do it and did it for the railroad shop. It wasn't him that didn't want to teach me it was me turning 16 when he was able to buy a welder and i already knew everything at 16 years old you know???? LOL Anyway i was going to get the little $99 job for tack welding and small jobs around the house. I got to learn how fist but that will come with just doing it. I think I'll spend a little more and get the middle of the road one now. Thanks for all the work you do in putting out these videos!!

[@Mikefestiva]

Hey Tool Bear! I have been real happy with the little Titanium flux 125, it’s a great smooth little welder. Of course I also like the Titanium 200 and the Omnipro 220 but those welder are out of some people’s price range. I have done quite a few review videos on these machines and the last two welders I mentioned weld just as good as the Millermatic 200 multi process welder but for half the price. Thanks for posting.

[@thefirewooddoctor]

Had to wait a few years to get my Everlast after starting with the Chicago Electric 90amp flux-core welder. Helluva jump from $90 to $1200. If starting over, I'd get the Chicago Electric 170amp mig/flux-core welder.

[@thefirewooddoctor]

Haha... just noticed you posted this comment Mike. Am subscribed to you. Love your videos and thorough reviews.

[@Mikefestiva]

Homestead Fabricator right on! I bet that Everlast is a great machine, it’s really nice to have a good solid welder. I definitely remember committing back and forth on my channel many times on videos 🙂 Take care

[@thefirewooddoctor]

@@Mikefestiva, the Everlast is definitely a good machine. The one I have is a seriously heavy-duty homeowner to light industrial welder. Dang thing weighs 50#, a lot less than the Vulcan or the Titanium equivalent. Probably juat built heavier for long-term durability. Am looking forward to updates on how the Titanium welders hold up for you. Trying to get my friend Love2boat92 to upgrade to a Titanium welder.

[@Mowersplus84]

At the shop all I use is flux. Yeah a lot of people shoot in down put at the end of the day it's perfectly fine for most applications. Like you said grinder and paint are your friends. Great video as always

[@gila-riverbrushpopper8087]

Like you said about the wire making the difference, I have seen it first hand. I have never ran anything but Lincoln wire in my 125 or 180 since the first time I tried "Something more affordable"... Many bad words were uttered that day. Friend of mine came over with a Craftsman "?" that ran on 220. He had gotten some .030 Hobart flux core wire. Spit, splatter, splutter, ugly beads, jerky wire feed, adjusted and fooled with it for a while with no improvement. He ran my Lincoln and thought "Oh, it's just the welder". I got mad and stuck partial role of Lincoln .030 flux core on it. Ran a beautiful bead with not a pop to be heard in the sizzle (kinda like when the Titanium was going).

[@ksufarmer5319]

If I were to get a black CE welder, I'd skip the 125 and go with the 170. I have owned one for 6 years now, learning wire welding with it and it's awesome. I also have added an OmniPro 220 and Titanium Easy Flux 125 to it. All great machines. I also have a Lincoln AC225, Everlast iMig200, AHP Alphatig 200X, and Hobart Champion 10,000. The Harbor Freight machines have no trouble keeping up with the name brands! I love all processes.

[@CEDARHILLPRODUCTIONS]

Thank you for doing this video. I've been wanting the titanium but I'm not a welder. I'm way more informed now. Thanks.

[@bruceberry1363]

Me too!

[@Mark-sn6kh]

Nice. I picked up the Chicago 125 last night just to get started.

[@workingshlub8861]

anything over 1/8 thick it struggles...good for exhaust and light body work...

[@hardrockrelics2157]

So would the Titanium with the upgraded ground clamp be good for Exhaust repair/ muffler replacement?

[@bartwright430]

Kudos to the Bear! Great effort on this video. As for the book, you're right, it's a great book. I finally bought the HF 125 recently and made two trailer repairs satisfactorily. I was a MIG unit but for now the HF 125 will do. Keep it up Bear!

[@PnwOnTour]

I really liked the Century fc90 (what the titanium copied) but needed to weld 24 gauge car door skins, I got a Klutch welder from northern tool after shopping around at a killer price, flux/gas, I will never intentionally go back to flux, but it has its place 18 gauge to 1/4 with no gas is nice 👍🏻

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

Great Video Brother Bear! Loved The attention to detail. Cheers!

[@mrmcclung]

When using fluxcore, try reversing polarity (positive ground). You'll get less splatter & better penetration...

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

How are you showing the welding with the green hugh are you using a special camera setting jeff

[@tyler238]

This video is very informative I want to take classes but with covid, here in michigan all of the colleges near me are closed so im just going to watch videos and try to teach myself.. Im going to get that green titanium 125. Thanks again

[@unclebob4208]

Wondering if you have made any Caterpillar oil filter mugs with that Vulcan?

[@drfalcon4102]

For the guy fixing his mower, the Chicago electric is a good choice, but dont use the wire that comes with it, get a quality wire, also, clean the surface before welding, a good wire brush does wonders, and Red is right, that son of a biscuit is heavy

[@tj4ndirish]

Would you recommend the titanium for mild sheet metal work in restoring a car?

[@jonandkariwalter2074]

I would like to see if a titanium 125 welder could be run on a harbor freight modified sign wave inverter with suitable battery bank . I don't know if it would even work but the info would be interesting to me as I have a hf 2000 watt inverter and was thinking of buying the titanium 125 as I have the inverter on my work truck

[@davidpate2237]

Very good videos but I was wondering about a 220 extension cord because I don't have any outlets in my garage need to run wiring for it or get an extension cord of 50 ft

[@ClaytonHartin]

Anyone can make a beed but... will it hold under pressure or will it leak?

[@alberttorres4917]

I picked up Harbor Freight Chicago welder 170 wire feed Mig and it works just as good as my Lincoln and it has a Transformer doesn't have Electronics like the other inverter welders. It was the $199 century. I weilded 1/2 inch steel with great penetration but it is a 240 volt 170 amp weilder with a transformer and diods and very heavy. For the price it will last 40 years or more welding every other doy as long as I oil the fan and change the diods as needed.

[@dennisprah223]

I have the 125 Chicago electric welder. Would I be better off going to a stick welder. Should I get the Chicago electric, or the Titanium weld ?

[@dorothykoehler9830]

Iv weld 4 full race car's cages no problem. 170 amp and old 151 amp I bought it in 2003 still working.

[@MsNevadakid]

can the dc welder (titanium 125 be used in my 20 amp house circuit? great vid. ....

[@TonyRomeNewMoney]

Excellent video. Helped me tremendously

[@valos_cor7842]

I noticed you mentioned that the Chicago Electric was DC, it's actually AC, according to the Harbor Freight website. The Titanium welder is DC though. You also said that DC is not good - from all the other flux core info I've read/seen, it actually makes cleaner looking welds easier due to the steady flow of direct current. Also I like that the Titanium has several adjustments for voltage (and therefore current), whereas it looks to me like the Chicago Electric 125 only has min and max settings.

[@james10739]

Ya flux core is supposed to be DC

[@randymack1782]

first you are correct about the ground clamp being a major improvement, but... when you put cable in, you may not get a "tight" grip. & may need to take up a little more space, like a short piece of copper tube that barely fits over the wire end, around 1" long, 1 of my welders the bolt just would not get it tight & a few pulls & it came loose.next a friend had the Chicago version, & I helped him many years back, at first I hated it, but after putting dozens of rolls through it, I became very impressed. we probably did more "structurally" than we should, like fender mounts, light mounts, side rail mounts brackets to hold wiring & break away battery mounts on trailers we built, all trailers were built with a Lincoln AC/DC Tombstone. just accessories were done with the flux core. the tongue jack & spare tire mounts were done with stick. if trailer got them.right now I work at a body shop part time, & I took a "cheap" "China" welder to use instead of rolling heavy shop welder occasionally to building I work in. the cheap welder does so good I would use it in any body shop work doing any body repairs, it is MIG, I use 75/25 gas, run .023 wire, & the MIG gun I replaced with a top quality gun with a lot better switch, & of course a brass ground clamp, I could weld on edge of sheet metal, I use it to replace cab corners, rockers, wheel housings, & general rust panel replacement, originally thanks to buying welder so cheap it was basically free, with a few other items, & had only been on flux its whole life in a muffler shop doing exhaust, I decided to spend the money to see how good I could make it, & approx. $200 on a cheap welder, it welds better than my $800 Lincoln 180 MIG welder, the clamp was $15 ish, the MIG gun was $115, a 12lb spool of wire was $35, and it needed a regulator, a $35 from Harbor Freight, as 1 that came with it had both gauges broke, plus I picked up vacuum hose to use for gas hose, I know, I know, but shop I work at has been using vacuum hose for his gas line on MIG for years & I cheaped out & did the same & it works fineas for comments on torch welding, that's my favorite, but a lost art, & I been debating if I should try doing video of how to torch weld, but it is so much to it & requires so much dedication, & being safety conscious at all times, I don't want to see idiots not listen & hear part & try to go do without understanding, then get hurt, or not have penetration on something structural but think they do because it looks like a "pretty weld" & cause someone to get hurt.

[@tonybucca5667]

I JUST bought the Titanium 125 yesterday... the FIRST thing I'm going to weld is a nut to a pair of vise-grips, so I can bolt my ground cable to THAT! I shouldn't have any problems securing a ground!

[@michaelosborne513]

you are right about the clamp I use this thing if I don't have 220 to use and it's not bad

[@mikeklass2508]

After 40 years as a pro welder I picked up a Chicago Electric 175 amp (240 volt) very cheap just for home projects. It welded fine but when I had a chance to get a Vulcan MigMax 215 CHEAP I jumped at the chance. It's light years ahead of the Chicago Electric. You had a problem with a lot of dingle berries? The machine was probably set on the wrong polarity. They are often set for MIG welding from the factory (don't know if the 125 amp will MIG) but flux core requires the opposite polarity. You will be surprised at the difference it makes. I've used my Vulcan on 120 volt about half the time and it works great for light welding, up to about 3/16" steel. I would recommend Vulcan to anyone, it welds as well as a multi-thousand dollar machine (up to 200 amps that is). What I really like about the MigMax is it can run .045 wire for heavy duty welding, you don't get THAT with any Chicago Electric, I'm not sure about the larger Titaniums. About learning with stick first? It really doesn't matter if all you are going to do is weld steel with flux core or MIG anyway.

[@keithcochran8299]

The HF Titanium 125, the little green machine, is is DCEN Gun negative?

[@thefirewooddoctor]

I have the Chicago Electric 90amp, the Chicago Electric 170amp mig/flux-core, and Everlast MTS 211si welder and still see a place for the el cheapo welders. Spending the $90 on the el cheapo welder is not a bad idea. Gives you a good idea if you really want to do welding or not. Got hooked immediately. Had to wait a few years to get my big welder, but is worth it. Am planning on getting the Titanium 125 to tote around for light weight. My Everlast weighs 50 pounds, the Titanium 125 weighs 15. Yeah, going to get that little one for quick repairs outside instead of using stick welding outside unless it is a strength critical weld.

[@stevesandra007]

Want to try the Chicago but sale always at 99.00 and can't use coupon,maybe they could throw in a half price auto darkening helmet .

[@pico67ss]

Gotta love the reaction from your cub

[@lachan41774]

I welded up some vice grips and use them as my grounds.

[@RedemptionGarage]

Good video Red and you're right every tool has its place

[@skoue4165]

You have a few things backward, with stick the flux on the outside not inside. Also MIG is DC not AC (unless you are welding aluminum) *** That part about MIG welding on AC is wrong, I left it in so the correction replies make sense****, the Titanium is DC where the old 90 is AC (or at least was). AC spatters more than DC as a rule. DC penetrates better than AC, as a rule. Stick is more commonly AC. Other than aluminum TIG is DC. Somewhat small corrections for this type of video. I agree with your opinions on Flux Core and the Titanium. It works a LOT better than it should at that price point. The slag on stick is often pretty heavy but the slag I get with the Titanium you can brush off with a steel brush. A big plus for fluxcore over TIG for the home gamer is that flux core cares a lot less about clean. It's not as "I don't care" as stick but it will do decently on pretty dirty and junky steel. TIG hates dirt but also really doesn't like junky steel. If you are working with scrap and freebie junk steel you will have a lot of issues with TIG, and very few with fluxcore.

[@melgross]

You don’t weld aluminum with MiG set to AC. It’s DC. Always. TIG requires AC for aluminum.

[@valos_cor7842]

You're correct on him mixing up the two welders in the video. The Titanium Easy-Flux 125 welder he mentioned is actually DC, and the Chicago Electric Flux 125 is actually AC.

[@welding_guy7524]

I’ve never heard of ac mig welding of aluminum.. every machine I’ve ever used from a crappy garage sale no name mig welder to my Lincoln power wave 450 are dcep or dcen,even for aluminum..stick and tig are either ac or dcen for aluminum ( I don’t really remember, it’s been 25 year since I’ve stick welded aluminum or dc tig welded aluminum..)

[@skoue4165]

@@welding_guy7524 Yep I believe I misspoke about AC MIG, it's been a long time since I used an MIG on aluminum. You will have a bad time TIG welding aluminum on DC because of the oxide layer. I won't say you can't do it because I knew a guy who could gas weld aluminum.

[@gupibdiy3472]

Love the shirt at beginning of video, definitely my kind of welding.

[@colinjohnson5515]

I love the shirt sleeves, shorts and crocs for welding. Hope your buddy doesn’t melt anything irreplaceable! 😆

[@tyler238]

Does the green machine have to be modded to dc like the Chicago electric machine?

[@bruced1429]

don't forget about dual shield flux core, used in industry for code work where stick is not needed.

[@nickhoffman5848]

the leather apron is the one i bought for forging and the quality is exilent.

[@chriscain7173]

Were do I get the croc welding shoes? Lol Nice video I've never been able to figure out the mig or flux core but am pretty good with stick. I love the little Chicago electric inverter welder it super portable and plays down a pretty good weld.

[@matthewsalvador9783]

Have I thought about doing welding... sure Have I thought about welding all the Walmart carts together... possibly Have I done it .... To be continued. Great video.

[@ChevyRedneckGFX]

Is there an update? Did you weld them?

[@rodw]

I'll like anything you do welding cuz I'm learning.😁. I like what another guy said about cutting torch, they kinda work together right? Hey Jeff, you can make your own custom bed rails. LOL have you tried anything round? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and videos, Rodney P.S. I hope Jesse is feeling better today.

[@jasonparkergimplifedisable684]

Awesome vid dude, thanks for the pointers 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@eizzle78]

Who’s got a short attention... haha look, a talking bear 🤣 You’re a real badass, welding in shorts and crocs!

[@678friedbed]

I use a pair of vice grips as my grounding clamp.

[@evanm.2300]

Hey bear, have u seen the Bosch fexclick 12volt 5 in 1 drill driver kit 1/4 in. keyless 1300 rpm? Better than festoon and millwaukee installation tool u think? No guard on it!

[@denoftools]

No I have enough to check it out

[@sawman209]

To be fair i cannot get decent beads with my Chicago electric welder but primarily thats because the 110 volt circuit i tried it on doesnt have enough amps. A machine like this is designed for bonding thin metal together and its great for what its designed for. For thicker steel, it makes sense to get a proper stick welding machine

[@LightsMB]

If anyone is truly interested in learning how to weld, start with stick. Learning how to control the arc and the puddle with stick welding will set you up for success when learning other processes. I'm currently attending a welding school and within the next 4 weeks I'll be testing for my AWS D1.1 SMAW Welding Certification. The class I'm enrolled in is specifically for stick however my instructor is amazing and has been letting me try mig along the way. Mig essentially boils down to how well you set the machine up once you already understand the basics of welding. But back on topic, a flux core welder to have at home is never a bad thing! I was looking at the titanium flux core at my local harbor freight and I couldn't believe how tiny it was. If I didn't already have a Miller I would absolutely consider buying one!

[@Xplorer228]

How thick can you weld with the Chicago electric 90 or 125? Could you do, say, a cargo roof rack on a campervan?

[@veganpotterthevegan]

That's easy...3/16s is definitely doable...maybe 1/4"

[@PrimeSolutionsTX]

Great video! Thank you

[@trevorpatt8294]

Crocks are great for welding in!

[@covishen]

I've got the Chicago electric 90 amp flux core welder that I bought on a whim.at the last parking lot sale for $50. someday once I get the nerve and some metal, I want to crack open the box and see about learning welding.

[@jjr007]

I replaced the gas shield tip on my Chicago FC welder with a Lincoln tapered tip similar to the one on the Titanium, for about 4 bucks, much easier to weld with.

[@denoftools]

I could totally see that it was much easier trying to control the weld with that smaller tip

[@chrisjones7807]

any idea when the next time is they might have these welders on a parking lot sale?

[@jamesahoffman]

Thank you Red / Jeff, for this video! I currently have the older Chicago 90, since 2017 when I needed a welder for exhaust work, also have a Miller Challenger 172 since college, worked in a welding Fab shop for 6 years, the dirty a secret is most Fab shops used Flux core welding because it's the cheapest per foot of weld! And holds. For my 110v needs I know now to upgrade the clamp! But very impressed with the titanium, at least till I get my 220v Miller up and running. Another reason to look at both of these welders is not everyone has 220v available at home!

[@robfromaz1977]

So I bought the Chicago Flux 125 last year on black Friday and it did the job I needed it for. Is the Titanium worth the extra money? Should I sell the Chicago and buy the Titanium?

[@makingtechsense126]

I was lucky and found a Vulcan MIG that was a return and got it for $268. If I hadn't been so lucky I would've definitely been looking at the Titanium MIG.

[@denoftools]

Damn that's a great pick up I'd love to get my hands on a good MIG welder

[@dennisgermain189]

see all those industrial building made with concrete panels, all the rebar footings and cast in steel all welded with flux core DC, 1/2" all the way up to 1" steel

[@timothykeith1367]

flux core is usually better for use outside

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

Flux core penetrates better than solid wire.

[@michaelt.9372]

I used to have the Chicago electric when it was listed as a 90amp. It was okay. I returned it and a few years later I bought the titanium. It's crazy how much better the titanium is. As a weekend hobbyist (maybe a bit more than that sometimes) the titanium is plenty. I use 110 and it works great. FCAW is great for outdoors as well. A lot of folks are saying start with stick.. I disagree. I think the titanium 125 is very versatile and an awesome "take anywhere" welder. Just my .02 and probably doesn't mean anything. Just ranting.

[@MrCanman84]

Thanks for that feedback, I’ll certainly get one.

[@joseyanes6695]

I have seen where certain parts have been changed and it improved the overall performance on the Chicago Welder. And it still keeps it under the Titanium. What's your thoughts?

[@denoftools]

I've priced it out and to get the CE to the levels of the Ti you will be at the same price. *IF you buy theTi on sale). But you will be stuck with a much heavier box that is not as well made.

[@BRENT3143945]

I have a cert in fluxcore it is duel shield but whatever, most shops now a ways use fluxcore even on pipe it's very fast and it can be beautiful.

[@willgallatin2802]

I actually have a vulcan 220 stick welder, and a titanium 140 at work. both are good solid performers. If you do proper prep work instead of trying to weld mill scale they both do nice work. Frankly on 3/8 inch material I prefer the flux core welder with a .035 hobart wire. Works an absolute treat. Still testing out the vulcan stick as it's new, and I haven't really found the best settings for 7018 electrodes yet.

[@alext8828]

Try the Forney wire when you can.

[@willgallatin2802]

@@alext8828 Actually did run a 5 pound spool of forney 71T11 a while back. Not the most consistent wire I have ever used. It will more than likely work on a machine with more amperage. The 140 is only a 120 volt machine, so some wire just does not work well with it.

[@alext8828]

@@willgallatin2802 Oh, that makes sense. Thank you for that.

[@andrewroderick283]

You can get a stick welder for that price and learn how to weld. Afterwards if you feel like tig welding you can use a dry scratch start tig setup on your stick welder(dc only). When using that flux core take your time and let the puddle form and try to keep a constant speed. The most important step for any welding process is to clean the material the best you can and take of the mill scale/rust. It takes 2min to clean a piece and 10min to cut out porosity or bad weld. The welding industry does not hate flux we use alot of dual sheild flux core where gas and flux are both used at the same time.picked up a omni pro so far 10/10

[@robertblackshear8963]

Yes we do. I was wondering where that came from. Nearly all ships and barges prefer gas shielded fluxcore 045 to 052.

[@jackhammer8364]

❤️My Chicago Electric!Solid!

[@Artie196161]

Kinda off track here ,but the bear is on the harbor freight Bauer 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer review maybe everyone else seen it but it suprised me !

[@lordrichard8184]

I love the Chicago electric welder. For a $100 LIGHT DUTY 110v welder it’s great. Audel pocket welding reference is a must read for anyone serious about welding and metal joining

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Old school brazing welding is fun as well with oxy acetylene