Welding Tips and Tricks

New to running flux core I have run mile and miles of solid core wire and just don't know much about flux core was just wondering if someone could give me some advice
Thanks
-Zach

Zach,
I would love to help you out! What specific things do you want to know about? We need more specifics like are you using self-shield of dual shield? What size wire, machine, thickness of material, etc. Thanks
-Jonathan

Superiorwelding wrote:Zach,
I would love to help you out! What specific things do you want to know about? We need more specifics like are you using self-shield of dual shield? What size wire, machine, thickness of material, etc. Thanks
-Jonathan

Thank you! I am using self shield .30 with a tweco 3in1 181i welding a variety of thicknesses from 1/8" all the way to about 3/8"

Zach,
My first welding machine was a 110v using .035 self-shield and I was actually able to put down nice beads.
First I will say flux-core wire you will drag as opposed to push with solid wire. Make sure your machine is set on DCEN as your wire will not run correctly on DCEP.
Your machine should have suggested settings to get you started.
Here are a few videos that will explain things a lot better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI7GOVrB33c
....And Jody has a lot of valuable videos for you..
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/goo ... &sa=Search
I have found videos are a better teacher than text
-Jonathan

Thank you! Like I said I've ran miles and miles of solid core but flux core is just something ill have to get use to until I get a bottle of shielding gas

Zach,
As a point of interest, when you do get your gas, run a bead with and without gas, you will be able to tell a difference.
What brand of wire are you using?
-Jonathan

Right now it's just one of the little 1lbs spools you can get from homedepot or lowes and I've ran the solid core at school with 75/25 and I can definetely tell the difference when the bottles are off porosity like no other!

I would recommend getting a 2lb spool of Forney flux-cored wire. .035
Should be around $15....
DCEN.
High inductance.

Smooth drag, keeping the slag and puddle the same size.

I've burned about 20 of those little spools.

They have a very distinct puddle.

Give it a try, If you like it, start getting 10lbs spools.

~John

Drag as mentioned. It burns noticably hotter and penetrates deeper than equivalent solid wire. Flux core wire is about equal to one size down in solid ie .035 flux core is about equal to .030 solid. The smoke is really difficult to see through more so than stick welding. It will take some getting used to. I used to keep a rag in my back pocket to wipe the dust off my mask every few minutes. I would recommend wearing some type of respirator to avoid breathing the stuff.

AKweldshop wrote:I would recommend getting a 2lb spool of Forney flux-cored wire. .035
Should be around $15....
DCEN.
High inductance.

Smooth drag, keeping the slag and puddle the same size.

I've burned about 20 of those little spools.

They have a very distinct puddle.

Give it a try, If you like it, start getting 10lbs spools.

~John

Do they sell forney in Texas? I've never seen it around

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Forney-2-Lb-035 ... 3f3290b55b

Here's an eBay link.
Two lb spool.
But if you like it, you should be able to find 10lbers pretty easy for a better price.

BTW,
This wire is awesome on Galvi.

~John

edit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10lb-035-HTP-Fl ... 27c36f17b8

Here is a 10lbs spool of HTP flux-cored wire.
I have never used it, but anything HTP is good.
Might give it a try.

I second the Forney wire! I have burnt about 5 of their 10 pound spools and countless 2 pound spools. It is a lot better wire than Hobart and Lincoln wire. I don't have much to add to what everyone else said but I will say that you definitely need to keep a rag like someone already mentioned. After about 3 decent beads you won't be able to see. One thing to remember and this goes with any mig form is to keep your gun lead as straight as possible. Flux core wire is more prone to breaking if bent. I don't know how many times I had to re run the wire through the lead because I had the lead in a bind and the rollers would twist it and snap it right at the liner. Other than that it aint too bad.

~John[/quote]
Do they sell forney in Texas? I've never seen it around[/quote]

I'm about a year late to this party, but the ACE hardware here in Stephenville TX sells Forney.

ldb