There are many different types of welders to choose to buy. Each one is made for different types of welding. There are welders for Metal Inert Gas welding (MIG), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Tungsten Inert Gas welding (TIG), Gas Tungsten Arch Welding (GTAW) and stick welding.

The type of welder you want to buy depends on what kind of metal you want to weld and how thick that metal is. Some of the factors in a welder that could affect the quality of your welding are amperage, voltage, compatibility, wire feed power, etc.

The Flux 125 Welder is used for flux-cored arc welding, otherwise known as FCAW welding. FCAW is a type of welding that is similar to Metal Inert Gas welding (MIG) but is more productive and wields better results. It uses a continuously fed metal electrode tube instead of a wire.

The quality of your weld might vary depending on how much prior experience you have with welding and if you know how to use the welder properly and safely. If you have never used a welder before, make sure you get some basic instruction or training from someone who knows what they are doing so that you don’t cause injury to yourself.

You can take classes for welding as well but at an additional cost. Learning from someone who has years of experience can help you quickly learn the best techniques.

Specifications and Manufacturing Details

Click here for pricing and additional manufacturing information

The Flux 125 Welder is made by Chicago Electric, which is a private-label brand of Harbor Freight Tools. The parts for it are made in China, as are most of the tools made by Chicago Electric.

This welder has an input voltage of 120 Volts and a 20% duty cycle at 90 Amps. The max Amp output is 125; the minimum is 60 Amps. It is capable of welding 18 gauge (1/20th of an inch) to 3/16 inches thick. Unlike when using a MIG welder, shielding gas is not used for this type of welder because it is an FCAW welder, which doesn’t require such gas to function.

Since the Flux 125 weighs only 38 lbs. (light compared to most other welders), it can be easily transported or stored in a small space due to its considerably compact size. It is also fairly safe to use because of the added safety features. It has a trigger activated gun to prevent the occurrence of an accidental arc flash, as well as built-in overload protection.

The sizes of flux-cored wire that fit this welder are 0.030 in. (0.8 mm.) or 0.035 in. (0.9 mm.) wire. It comes with a spool of wire when purchased; additional wire has to be bought separately.

Review

Chicago Electric is one of the cheaper brands to buy from for cordless power tools, air compressors, power inverters, welders, including this one, and so on.

This specific welder is a great welder to start with if you are inexperienced or are just beginning to learn the basics, especially if you are looking for one that is affordable. It can also be good if you are doing some light welding on mild, low alloy steel.

However, it is not made for the purpose of welding on aluminum or stainless steel, so avoid the use of those metals. If you plan on using aluminum, look at either MIG welders or TIG welders, which are capable of welding on it.

man welding aluminum

The type of tip that comes with this welder can sometimes make it hard to see over when doing certain welding jobs. It works well for most projects, but if you are doing a deep weld, it is best to buy a different tip to attach to it to avoid any issues.

Another problem you may have with this welder is the ability for it to get hot enough for a good weld since it’s not the most powerful welder available. Try turning the wire feed speed up a bit for the best results.

It is recommended to replace the wire with a higher quality name brand flux-cored wire that will fit the machine better, such as the brand, Vulcan. Without replacing the wire, it’ll still get the job done, but you are much more likely to create a strong weld with the higher quality wire.

This welder is great for small short-term DIY projects at home or minor repairs. However, people that have tried using it for long periods of time or on large projects comprised of thick metals, came across issues with power or heat shortages. If you plan on doing big welding projects, a higher power welder will be better for you since this welder is low-amperage.

welding wire metal diy project

Overall, the Flux 125 Welder has hardly any problems at all. As long as you don’t push it too hard, it works great. It is very easy to use and is simple to set up the first time using it.

When purchased, it comes with everything you need to start welding. It includes a 6-foot cable, flux core gun, ground clamp, spare contact tips, face shield, wire brush and a spool of flux-cored wire.

Remember to Take Safety Precautions

When you are welding, always remember not to breathe in fumes that may occur because of the harmful chemicals it contains. Wearing an industrial grade welding helmet will also keep your eyes safe from the light it produces. Also, use welding gloves, a leather apron, and leather shoes for further protection. Otherwise, you are putting yourself at risk.

Buying Your New Welder

Before buying the Flux 125 Welder, take into consideration all of the issues mentioned earlier in this article. If you end up needing to buy the upgrades and extra materials for it, you might end up paying more in the end compared to just buying another welder. Although, if you are a beginner, you don’t have much to worry about.