The first question I get asked is, what type of welder am I using? So here is why I decided to go with a flux core Titanium 125 welder.
As a beginner welder, I didn’t know the first thing about flux core, MIG, arc welding, stick welding, gas types, safety equipment, NOTHING! I did what any good internet user does, and start researching. In about a month I started to narrow down what I needed. At the end of this blog, I will post some of the resources I used to learn about welding.
Know your project
I wanted to learn to weld, so I could start building my Overland trailer. Most of the steel I was going to use would be no thinker that 1/4 of an inch. I also didn’t want to deal with mixing gas, while it doesn’t seem hard, it was an added expense.
Know your budget
While I firmly believe you get what you pay for, I didn’t want to invest a lot of money into my first welder. If I decided weld is not my thing, I want to feel good about not sinking a lot of money into it.
What welder did I choose?
I went with a Titanium 125 flux core welder. This welder is small and easy to store in my garage. It will do all the welds needed for my trailer build and was pretty inexpensive. It does produce a little bit of slag, which just means you learn to use your grinder more, but I am extremely happy with this little welder. At the end of my project, if I decide to continue welding, I would like to invest in a nice flux/MIG welder. That way I have the best of both worlds.
Resources I used to learn welding
- Mike Festiva’s channel was a great resource. In this video he does a review of the Titanium 125. Subscribe and like his channel.
- Dirt Lifestyle’s channel is an amazing resource for fabrication. Nate does a great job filming and showing how to build with steel.
There are plenty more videos and resources out there, let me know which are your favorite in the comments!