The Chicago Electric 90-Amp Flux Wire Welder is a heavy-duty welder, with a plastic wire drive and metal housing. You need to be careful when handling it as it can damage other tools in your shop or become a tripping hazard if it falls on your feet. It also has a limited warranty. Despite these drawbacks, we think the welder is worth its price.
Low duty cycle
If you’re looking for a compact, lightweight flux core welder, the Eastwood 90 amp model is a good choice. It offers excellent arc performance and has an industry-leading 5/3/1 warranty. It also comes with a good quality welding gun and clamp, and a 6-foot power cord. If you want a higher-quality model that can handle a variety of weld jobs, you can also look into the Ironton 125 flux-cored welder/transformer. This model comes with everything you need to get started with welding, from electrodes to cables to feeds.
This model features a horizontal wire feed system located under the top cover. It can accept four-inch wire spools up to two pounds. However, larger spools can cause the wire liner leader to become kinked. Additionally, the company does not officially support the use of larger spools.
The Flux 125 welder is compact and weighs just 38 pounds. It comes with added safety features, including a trigger-activated gun and a built-in overload protection. The welder uses flux-cored wire and can be used for small DIY projects or repairs. Unfortunately, some users have reported power and heat shortages with this type of model.
The Hobart 500559 flux core welder is another good choice if you need high performance without breaking the bank. It produces a quarter-inch-thick weld and comes with a variety of accessories, including power cords, drive roll, and dual gauge regulator.
The Chicago Electric Flux 125 is not the best-built welder on the market, and the warranty is less than two years. You can purchase an extended warranty for an additional two years, but this will add to the cost of the welder. Fortunately, there are several competitive models with better warranties and features.
A good flux core welder should be able to provide 25 pounds of deposit per hour. You’ll also need to buy a good wire brush and anti-spatter nozzle gel. And of course, great filler wire. I’ve listed some of the best flux core welding wire below.
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Small size
A small size Chicago Electric 90 amp flux wire weld combines a 240-volt, 170-amp power supply. It is ideal for smaller welding projects. It is set up for flux arc welding and comes with a shielding gas. This welding machine also has thermal overload protection.
This welder can weld up to a half-inch-thick piece of material. It has a metal housing and plastic wire drive. It is heavy and can cause injury if it falls on a worker. The welder is not ideal for home projects, but it is capable of welding small to medium-sized pieces.
The basic welding procedure involves holding the trigger and directing the wire to the surface to be welded. To make a narrow weld, it is important to draw a straight line. The welder will shut off automatically if it becomes overheated. To prevent this, rest the welder gun on a non-conductive surface or a concrete slab.
The Chicago Electric Flux 125 is not the most expensive welder available. However, it is also not the best-built welder. It has a shorter warranty than competitors. You can extend the warranty by paying an extra fee, but this will increase the cost of the unit. There are better welders available for this price, including the YesWelder 135A.
The welder can run on household power and can also be used on an extension cord. Make sure to check that you have the correct plug to connect it to the welder. If it does not, you may get an electric shock. It is also not designed for welding aluminum or stainless steel.
Lack of a digital display
One of the main shortcomings of this welder is its lack of a digital display. While this feature is not a deal-breaker, it’s not ideal either. A digital display would help you monitor the amperage output of your welder and gauge the thickness of the metal you’re welding. While a digital display is a welcome addition, the fact remains that a basic welder with a “min/max” button and infinitely adjustable wire feed knob is still preferable. However, this type of functionality isn’t great for developing welding techniques.
Compared to competing models, the Chicago Electric Flux 125 has a low duty cycle. It also weighs almost three times as much as its competition. This model can weld 3/16-inch metal, but its amperage control system uses a dated “min/max” switch. Other models come with wire feed knobs and digital displays.
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Short warranty
When you buy a new flux wire welder, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best deal possible, but it is also important to maintain it properly to keep it running at its best. If it’s not working properly, there are a few things you can do to make it work better. Using the correct contact tip size is essential, and you should also keep the ground clamp clean and free from debris.
First, make sure that you’re getting a machine that has a long warranty. Some welders, especially in this price range, are less reliable than others. Some welders are not made to have long warranties, but if you’re in a hurry, a shorter warranty may be a good idea.
Next, check to make sure that you’re getting the right wire size. A welder with a bigger diameter wire will be easier to handle than one with a smaller diameter. A 6-inch reel of flux wire should be fine for most welders. Using a larger size spool can kink the wire liner leader.
In addition to a shorter warranty, the Chicago Electric Flux 125 is not the best-built welder on the market. It weighs almost three times as much as competing models and has a lower duty cycle. It is not the best choice for beginners, but if you need to weld sheet metal or join pipes, this welder is a great option for you. It is also protected by a 1-year warranty.
Another option is the Lincoln Electric FC90 flux wire welder. Its low price is an attractive feature, and the transformer-based design means that you don’t need shielding gas. Another good feature is that it works as a MIG welder. If you have a limited budget, you can choose this unit. It has a short warranty, which makes it a good investment.