Welding and Metalworking - mig question - flux core with gas?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : mig question - flux core with gas?
saulgood
10-13-08, 07:15 AM
I've been welding with oxy-acetalyne for years but I just bought a small used wirefeed mig (craftsman 115v) to do some car repairs.
It came with flux core wire, but it has an input for shielding gas so I bought a small tank of mixed argon/co2. Now I'm wondering if I can use the wire I have, or does the flux core interfere with the gas shield?
thanks!
It came with flux core wire, but it has an input for shielding gas so I bought a small tank of mixed argon/co2. Now I'm wondering if I can use the wire I have, or does the flux core interfere with the gas shield?
thanks!
j HOWARD
10-13-08, 06:41 PM
Let me know what happens when you try it--I have always used solid wire.....................
Wayne64
10-14-08, 04:25 PM
Take off your nozzle shield and run the flux core. When your spool runs out buy some solid wire and the right sized contact tips to match the wire size used. Then play with the gas. I always use flux core with my Mig (.030) for all my light duty work. If I want clean I reach for the Tig torch. JMHO
saulgood
10-16-08, 01:36 PM
Ok, so you're saying that using the flux core with shielding gas would be like watering your lawn in the rain. Makes sense - I hadn't even thought about it like that.
The thing is, as a regular guy with a job (with "regular guy with a job" welding needs), I don't really see myself running through the flux core wire any time soon, and meanwhile I want all of my welds to be as neat and strong as they can be - even while I'm learning. I bought the gas because the flux core welds done by the guy who sold me the MIG were the worst I've ever seen, and he had been at it for a while. While I don't expect the MIG to produce the "row of dimes" welds of a TIG or oxy/acet system, I know that it shouldn't be a splattered mess either (I've seen respectable work done by muffler shops and that's what I'm shooting for).
I still have to find a regulator before I can try the shielding gas. You're saying that with gas shielding, flux core wire is not necessary- but would it hurt? In other words, is there a conflict between the two?
Thanks!
The thing is, as a regular guy with a job (with "regular guy with a job" welding needs), I don't really see myself running through the flux core wire any time soon, and meanwhile I want all of my welds to be as neat and strong as they can be - even while I'm learning. I bought the gas because the flux core welds done by the guy who sold me the MIG were the worst I've ever seen, and he had been at it for a while. While I don't expect the MIG to produce the "row of dimes" welds of a TIG or oxy/acet system, I know that it shouldn't be a splattered mess either (I've seen respectable work done by muffler shops and that's what I'm shooting for).
I still have to find a regulator before I can try the shielding gas. You're saying that with gas shielding, flux core wire is not necessary- but would it hurt? In other words, is there a conflict between the two?
Thanks!
jmnew51
10-19-08, 03:18 PM
No, no conflict between the two. I fact we run gas with our flux core at work all the time.
Jim
Jim
GregH
10-19-08, 04:00 PM
Yes, you can run gas with flux core but would suggest you do not.
The weld characteristics are not the same on both as they would be if you ran with just flux core or gas separately.........You should begin learning to weld with a minimum of complications.
When you say the previous owner could not weld properly with the flux core there is a possibility the wire could either be contaminated, a very poor quality or even the wrong type of wire for the material being welded.
There are different applications where flux core or gas are better.
For example, flux core is better when welding outdoors as the shield when using gas will be blown away in even the slightest breeze.
When indoors welding very thin material you will have a much easier time and get better welds with gas because gas uses slightly lower heat settings and the gas tends to cool the material you are welding.
I would suggest you consider what type of welding you are doing before deciding what wire to use.
If you will be primarily welding indoors on thin material then gas is the way to go.
If welding primarily outdoors then flux core is the way to go.
Either way, throw away the flux core wire you got with the machine and buy a quality wire from a major mfr.
Also, make sure you do not buy too large a wire so you do not overload the machine.
On a small unit you would do well with .030 or .035 at the most.
The weld characteristics are not the same on both as they would be if you ran with just flux core or gas separately.........You should begin learning to weld with a minimum of complications.
When you say the previous owner could not weld properly with the flux core there is a possibility the wire could either be contaminated, a very poor quality or even the wrong type of wire for the material being welded.
There are different applications where flux core or gas are better.
For example, flux core is better when welding outdoors as the shield when using gas will be blown away in even the slightest breeze.
When indoors welding very thin material you will have a much easier time and get better welds with gas because gas uses slightly lower heat settings and the gas tends to cool the material you are welding.
I would suggest you consider what type of welding you are doing before deciding what wire to use.
If you will be primarily welding indoors on thin material then gas is the way to go.
If welding primarily outdoors then flux core is the way to go.
Either way, throw away the flux core wire you got with the machine and buy a quality wire from a major mfr.
Also, make sure you do not buy too large a wire so you do not overload the machine.
On a small unit you would do well with .030 or .035 at the most.
saulgood
10-21-08, 01:19 AM
Thank you for the great info, and you're right; while I'm learning I don't want anything making the process more tricky than it has to be.
Speaking of which, I'm planning on using a simple regulator to introduce the argon/co2 mix. Will this be okay, or do I need a flow meter to monitor the gas output?
Speaking of which, I'm planning on using a simple regulator to introduce the argon/co2 mix. Will this be okay, or do I need a flow meter to monitor the gas output?
GregH
10-21-08, 04:24 AM
You will need a regulator and flow meter combination designed for the purpose.
The correct regulator will ensure that it is of a quality that will withstand the pressure that the shielding gas cylinder exerts and a flow meter is needed to set the proper flow rate for the wire, metal and gas being used.
Again, better to start off with the correct equipment when learning otherwise you will not have consistency.
On the suggestion of wire size I would actually suggest you do not go over .030 as the machine would handle it better that .035 and it would be better for welding the thinner material your machine would be good at.
The correct regulator will ensure that it is of a quality that will withstand the pressure that the shielding gas cylinder exerts and a flow meter is needed to set the proper flow rate for the wire, metal and gas being used.
Again, better to start off with the correct equipment when learning otherwise you will not have consistency.
On the suggestion of wire size I would actually suggest you do not go over .030 as the machine would handle it better that .035 and it would be better for welding the thinner material your machine would be good at.