Received a Flux Core welder...

[frostyflammable]

So my uncle had this thing laying around his workshop for quite some time, its a cheapo thing he got a while back on eBay according to him and he never opened it instead bought himself a gas setup so he gave me this. Now I know this is not the best welder out there and not even sure if its any good for small home project but it was free and I will use it.

Question I have is about the Flux Core wire, it shows that it takes 0.035 and I remember reading on this forum where someone was suggesting a specific brand a wire just cannot find that post. So what is a good wire to use here, that is 0.035?

Tomorrow I am going to pick up a auto darkening helmet from Home Depot (Lincoln Electric) and should be ready to start practicing with this thing.

--Dan

 

[Texan]

Lincoln works well and they have it Home Depot.

 

[mckutzy]

My experience, set it to kill(high heat)(3/16" is about the max it'll weld...), buy some decent Lincoln or other name brand fluxcore wire... Have good full amount of power to use for it...typically 15amps... Nothing else on the line but the welder...

 

[Kartorbust]

Hobart or Lincoln has good wire. 0.035 is cheap wire, however you'll get better penetration with 0.030 wire. It'll be more expensive, but you do get better penetration. All you need to run 0.030 is change the tip to an 0.030 from 0.035 and your good to go. Look online for what wire size they recommend the thickness of steel your welding.

 

[2SlickNick]

I too like the 0.030 wire...I get it from Tractor supply on sale for $12 and have had good results.

 

[Joe-405]

I have a MIG 105 that I use. The Miller wire is awesome. I use it without gas but has a option for it. Just get used to no gas cause it's way different if your used to running gas.

 

[supermanotorious]

MIG LOL, MIG is gas sheilded welding, this is a flux core machine

check out my God given right to be rectified thread

 

[Joe-405]

MIG LOL, MIG is gas sheilded welding, this is a flux core machine

check out my God given right to be rectified thread

Right but most of them have a gas option. Mine has the option but I never used it.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Right but most of them have a gas option. Mine has the option but I never used it.

No....no they don't. That's why they're called EL CHEAPO FLUX CORE WELDERS!

BTW: Chitcongo Erectic bought out El Cheapo. At first, they tried to sell them under the Chicano Electric brand.

 

[pRoFiT]

NOOOO. my 170 el cheapo HF has gas hookup so it can be MIG! but yah i do flux core welding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q4_K2KTaRc

 

[Poboy kartman]

NOOOO. my 170 el cheapo HF has gas hookup so it can be MIG! but yah i do flux core welding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q4_K2KTaRc

Mine DOESN'T!

Then again that's what seperates $90 welders from nearly $200!!!!

 

[Jfive]

AC vs DC. AC is not a mig capable welder without making it DC with a rectifier and some Jimmy rigging. A DC mig is usually setup to do both. DC IS BETTER IN EVERY WAY. I won't get a ac unit again. Sold my tig since I'm moving and might get a mig 220/110 DC with a spool gun next. Still have a DC scratch start setup for tig.

 

[supermanotorious]

Lincoln 210MP ALL DAY

and we know the HF 170 has gas option, his flux core is the equivalent of the HF 90 amp, no gas

now, you can take a cheapo, put a 200 amp rectifier on it, and a gas torch lead with manual shut off to make it a real MIG, but in my professional opinion, you're much better off with an entry level Lincoln machine set up for gas

---------- Post added at 02:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:43 PM ----------

either way, he's set up to start gluing metal together, let's support him as he gets his feet wet and make sure he wants to progress as a weldor before we talk all this tech stuff

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

^^^ this^^^
It don't matter how you start, just as long as you start.

 

[Joe-405]

Correct. I agree with above statement.


My flux core / gas optioned one is a Campbell hausfield. One of my good friends gave it to me years ago.

 

[Kartorbust]

Correct. I agree with above statement.


My flux core / gas optioned one is a Campbell hausfield. One of my good friends gave it to me years ago.

Is that the Menards brand?

 

[totty921]

Any info on the wolf 140x mig gas/gasless was looking at gettin 1for my build?