Campbell Hausfeld 70 Amp, anyone else used one?

[Kloque]

I just got one of these for 20$ from a freiend who was going to pawn it. I went to ace before even looking at the welder, and everyone there told me get 3/32 rod, so I did and geeze, I could barely even get an arc untill half the stick was gone (I noticed the 5/64 - 1/16 setting also) So I got some 5/64 and it seems to be to hot, spatters alot. On the 1/16 (55 amp) setting it gets undercuts and trapped slag, and bad penetration...

I've welded different things, shovels, bikes, lawn mowers,
a pick axe (easiest to make a bead on) etc...

I havn't welded since high school machine shop, but I was pretty good then. Is it just me or is this a tough machine to get used to? Im thinking 3/32 6011's may be the way to go... 6011's have better penetration if I remember right???

Any recomendations on using this welder?

I want to get a better one eventually but I figured I could re-learn on this one.

 

[shenion]

6011's need a higher voltage and won't work well. Many are DC only.

5/64 (2mm) would be better. You need a short arc, lightly drag the rod. These low-voltage welders do not like normal arc lengths. A short arc will help undercut.

It is a tough machine to use. They tend to be backwards on most welders, higher amps on shorter arc length. Takes a while to get the feel for them.

Cheap rods on this type of machine will make it very hard to use. Get some name-brand rods. It will spatter being a low-V AC box.

You might try 7014 rods if you can find them. Welds don't look as pretty (a bit wrinkled finish) but they are easy to use and are becoming more popular. 3/32 are available.

The problem with 5/54 and 1/16 rods is they are only sold in 1/2lb tubes for what you would pay for a 5lb box of bigger rods. Or, they are in 20-to-50lb boxes.

You can try some Lincoln 3/32 6013's. I pick them up at HomerD. Hobart rods are good too (Northern Tools.)

If you have a welding supplier, check them out. My gas supplier had good rods at reasonable prices. Problem is some you have to buy big boxes.

I had a cheap 110A arc welder. I was so glad to get something bigger and easier to use.

Welcome to the forums

 

[PTvor]

I want to get a better one eventually but I figured I could re-learn on this one.

Unfortunately, this looks like a nightmare welding machine and about the worst thing to learn with. I'm sure it can be used to weld with, but it would be much easier on a better machine. Even an experienced arc welder who was in practice would find it hard to use.

2 settings 50 and 70 amps.

http://www.usawelders.com/p44-Campbell-Hausfeld-115V-70Amp-WS099001AV-Stick-Welder.html


70A will probably be too low for a 3/32 (2.5mm) rod and too high for a 5/64 (2.0mm).
50A will likely give the same problems with 1/16th (1.6mm) and 5/64.

Rods become increasilngly hard to use as the diameter decreases. 1/8th (3.2mm) is considered the easiest.

As Shenion says, 6011s won't strike and run properly on this machine (or most of these little transformer welders).

The thing is that you are quite likely to come to believe the problems you have are down to you and give up.