69 red fastback 20 Report post Posted February 12, 2017 I'm going to have to get a new welder and was wondering what you guys thought, have any of you used flux core wire, does it weld as good as solid wire with shielding gas, any thought would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. 6 hapedVem, yapedVem, CaleboCib and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craigm 25 Report post Posted February 12, 2017 Flux core has limitations and cannot be used for thin material like .024 solid core. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69 red fastback 20 Report post Posted February 12, 2017 Thanks for the reply, I had an idea that would be the answer. I have an older hobart and I can get it turned down enough to weld my sheet metal and lay a good weld so I thought I would go with a smaller welder. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969Fstback 58 Report post Posted February 12, 2017 I have a Hobart 130 that goes down to 30 amps. I used it with flux core to do the floord, qtrs, outer wheel housings, tail light panel and so on. It works great. The other welder I had only went down to 60. At 60 amps with flux I was burning through sheet. At 30 I had no burn through. I am not a professional welder, but from what I gather flux doesn't burn hotter and you have a ton more spatter. But if the machine is adjustable enough you shouldn't have issues with sheet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969Fstback 58 Report post Posted February 12, 2017 Was meant as flux does burn hotter since shielding gas cools as it comes out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69 red fastback 20 Report post Posted February 12, 2017 Thanks for the info Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted February 13, 2017 I have been using a little Lincoln Weld Pac 140 with 75/25 gas on it for everything and it works like a charm. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mustangmike6996 34 Report post Posted February 14, 2017 Get a MIG welder. I have a Lincoln 180C (220v). I also have a Lincoln 140 which does a great job for light work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69 red fastback 20 Report post Posted February 14, 2017 Thanks for the info Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stangboy 14 Report post Posted February 14, 2017 Bought a Miller 211 MIG a few months ago and live it. Also have a Lincoln 175 TIG for aluminum & stainless stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsanter 152 Report post Posted February 14, 2017 Miller 211. Best welder I have ever owned. It will make you think you are a good welder Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69volunteer 84 Report post Posted February 14, 2017 i have a craftsman 110v and have been toying with the idea of upgrading. Is the amp dial fully adjustable or does it have click positions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted February 14, 2017 I recently bought a Square wave 175 Tig rig that I have yet to use LOL, It came with massive amounts of filler materials for stainless and a bunch of odd alloys that I know I will never use LOL...Cant wait to get a project where I can get after it with this beast. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lalojamesliz 56 Report post Posted February 14, 2017 Hi guys, first post I have a Hobart 140 mig and I originally bought it to work on my 69 mustang coupe. It's supposed to be great with sheet metal with .24 wire and 75/25 gas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caseyrhe 650 Report post Posted February 15, 2017 I have a Lincoln 125 mig, used for 1/4 plate or floor pans. Main thing with any 110 welder, you have the correct size breaker at the panel. I took a leg off my 220 and haven't tripped the breaker yet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69 red fastback 20 Report post Posted February 15, 2017 Good info guys Thanks, yes the amp is dial, it just doesn't weld the sheet metal very good, if I turn it down so it won't burn through i get the popcorn welds, if I turn it up to get rid of the popcorn welds I have trouble with burn through, I think my old hobard might just be getting worn out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted February 15, 2017 I have found that when I have to crank mine up to keep from getting popcorn welds your referring to that I take it up hot enough to blow through, but when I do I make shorter faster welds.... Basically move the tip faster and decrease the duration of the trigger pull... I can usually hit it in rapid succession like this and make a pretty nice little weld on the thin stuff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69 red fastback 20 Report post Posted February 15, 2017 Thanks for the info Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caseyrhe 650 Report post Posted February 15, 2017 I have better luck, when using flux core, to turn the feed speed up. Keeps the heat down with the tip further away. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodster 55 Report post Posted February 15, 2017 Miller and Lincoln both make great welders. I have several Millers and I've never had any of them break. I use my Miller 140 for auto body work in my garage. I have never had any problems using it on the autoset unless I'm welding heavy stuff. In fact the only glaring problem I have with the autoset is that I forget what the settings should be when I have to use a welder that doesn't have this technology. david Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsanter 152 Report post Posted February 16, 2017 Good info guys Thanks, yes the amp is dial, it just doesn't weld the sheet metal very good, if I turn it down so it won't burn through i get the popcorn welds, if I turn it up to get rid of the popcorn welds I have trouble with burn through, I think my old hobard might just be getting worn out You need to run enough amps to get good penetration for sticking the metal together and not getting too tall of a weld. You also need to have it adjusted low enough that you are not applying excess heat. To help prevent blow through you can use a copper backing at the weld seam. The copper will resist the weld, will draw some of the heat out of the weld and provide a backing to prevent blow through. You need to make a series of short welds of no more than an inch, skip a couple inches and then go again. Then cycle back and stitch in the areas between the welds giving cooling time between. Welding is about practice, practice, practice. Get some old bent fenders or hoods to practice on, you need to do some learning and get a feel for how the metal reacts to what you are doing. Bob 1 RPM reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69 red fastback 20 Report post Posted February 16, 2017 Thanks for the replies I appreciate all of the advice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites