FCAW and CO2/Argon mix question

[El Caballo]

I heard that you can use flux core and gas and it makes real pretty welds. My question is: I still run straight polarity, right? There has to be a pro out there who has done this. I'm still just playing with this Hobart 120 I have, actually started welding a chopper fork for one of the neighbor kid's bicycle projects. MIG is easier than stick.

[Leon]

If you're set up to use gas, run regular wire. It doesn't leave the crap on the weld like cored wire does. The purpose is to shield the arc, and both are not needed at the same time to do the job right.

[Ted H]

El Caballo,
I,ll start off by saying I made my living for 35 years welding in heavy steel fab shops and the ship yards .
There are two common types off flux core wire. First is the gasless type commonly known as 'Inner Sheild' This wire was developed for feild conditions where the wind will blow away any shielding gas.This is the wire commonly advertised for use with the 120 volt migs.This stuff is nasty! Excessive smoke while using and seems to produce as much weld spatter as weld. It also produces a somewhat brittle weld.
The second type of flux core , commonly called 'Outer Sheild requires a sheilding gas.Both these wires are Lincoln brands but virtually every manufacturer makes a comparable wire.Outer Sheild type is the most commonly used wire used in industrial applications.Normally you use reverse polarity when using this wire. The parent metal should be clean as rust or dirt may cause porosity in the weld.( When doing any welding the metal should always be cleaned)Outersheild type produces a very tough weld and when the machine is properly set up the flux will peel right off almost on its own.When properly applied it produces a very attractive weld.It can some times be difficult to find in >035 size which is as big as you will want to use with the 120 volt machines.
I should note that are many, many thypes of flux core wires for different purposes an different alloys but the two described are the most common for use on ordinary mild steel.
Ted H

[El Caballo]

Honestly, I only had one small booger from the flux core that I am running with the setting I'm using. That booger was from inexperince with the machine, a pecker track that I am going to clean off. This is way easier than 6010, like night and day. That was real useful info about the wire Ted, thanks. I will get some of that outer core stuff when I do my frame, I want x-ray quality and you know exactly what I mean. Pretty stuff that flux core with gas.

[Petejoe]

I never tried the combination of flux and gas but I would imagine it would smooth out the weld some. And I wouldn't imagine it would hurt the quality and strength of the weld at all.

[daveydeuce]

Afternoon, A real good friend and "SUPER" rod builder lives in Kennewick, he is doing all the work on my 50 Merc, his name is Gene Jordan. Do you know him? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Dave

[El Caballo]

Does he own a Merc, specifically a Barris Merc? I'll bet el rio roach knows him. I believe I met him, tho...

[el Roach]

Gene dosen't own the Merc, Bill Worden does. Gene is the one who did Jim Baughs 33 Vicky.
El C, why are you even bothering with the flux core route? I'm sure there is solid wire and gaa combo that will suit you. (even tho you ARE a FAG !)

[FEDER]

EL C Ted H is right about the wire. We normally call flux cored wire with a gas shield dual shield. Really get away from innershield its way hard and very brittle.Weld any pc of plate 90 deg to another on one side only and then break it off. Do the same with hard wire and a co2-argon mix you will never go back.Ted was right also about dualshield wire size I also have only seen 0.35 witch is too big for the 110 machines. Hard wire (copper coated) you can get as small as 0.23 That works very well for 1/8 " and below.
Using the co2-argon mix over straight co2 is also a better choice it cuts way down on the spatter. I spray wd 40 around the area im welding to help keep the spatter from sticking much cheaper than D Spat. Also use Joy dishsoap straight out of the bottle to dip your nozzle in works great smells good.---FEDER PM Me if you still want that 390 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[El Caballo]

Well FED, the machine I have has a feeder wheel set for .035 wire and it seemed to do fine. Point taken on using the gas mix with smaller wire, but going the dualshield route has appeal to me. That soap trick is neat, another one I heard is use dish soap in a spray bottle and spritz the work before you begin and the spatter cools as it burns through the soap and won't stick so bad.

Rick, it's true, I'm a fag... but you are my bitch.

I'm gonna go ahead and use the box tube instead of the A-frame.

FEDER, I want the 390 but I have to have link come and pick up his tub that I sold him, yes - my garage is that full. If you want to use it or sell it before I get there, so be it.

[el Roach]

Point made. Fag it is.
Let me know how this welding thing goes. I'll keep doing my "farmer" welds in the meantime.
I suck, but I'm driving 'em anyway!(= lots o' fun!) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif