Here are some observations about the MIGMax and some test welding samples from me trying to get the feel for the welder and it's settings. No live welding footage but that is coming soon.
flux core welding seems to be highly dependent upon the wire. i have a $150 flux core from northern tool welder still going strong after 8 years and the stuff that came with it was garbage compared to the lincoln wire i got.
I realize this video is about 5 months old already, but incase you haven't already been told Flux core always runs hotter on every machine not just the Vulcan. Use their settings as a guide but switch to manual and dial it in for yourself if you need to. Hope that helps.
i also have this question i just got it and i mean it does weld good enough for my needs but the same thing the wire speed doesnt seem to change AT ALL from high to low, did you have any luck finding out?
p.s. Try using a different brand of wire. Wire really makes a difference. As a matter of fact Bob Moffat has done comparisons between Lincoln wire and HF wire and he was thumbs up on Lincoln in a big way! Peace.
if you running the machine at 120v then your wire feed speed IPM is much less than when you run at 240V. almost half the speed. you cam measure for yourself and confirm. you can use a stop watch or contact Tachometer . both will be accurate enough.
Focus on the puddle Donnie and the rest shall come naturally, from what I understand, flux core shouldn't be used in synergic mode but I might be wrong with the way these new machines are designed. The omnipro 220 just made it into my shop, will be playing with it all weekend. Keep up the practicing Sir!
You are correct about the synergic mode and the flux core and I have also found that you can not use the settings from the charts either. After some studying of flux core wires I found that this machine and its settings run outside of what is recommended on the voltage for them. Once I found the correct settings by trial and error this welder puts out some really nice welds with either the Vulcan or the Lincoln wire. On a side note I hear that ESAB has a new flux core wire out that is top notch, when I find some I am going to give it a try.
I am really understanding on the machine settings, I got a Omnipro 220 yesterday and I found that the factory settings are ok but you really need to find the sweet spot. The machine burns hot and you really need to keep up with the puddle or it will build up on you. The inverter technology will take some getting used to since my last mig welder was an older millermatic 211. I did find a trick to my loose nozzle, Install it counterclockwise with a tight press and then turn it clockwise a little, it kind of locks in place.
I just finished a review of the machine myself and found the same as you, it runs hot on flux core on 1/8" and thinner material in the synergic mode. In manual settings it went better, but still a bit rough. It does go better on thicker material. I also noticed the tendency of the flux to run off the weld and pool at the toes, making it more difficult to remove while not shielding the weld properly. I found it partly dependent on the joint configuration. Beads on plate (what you're doing) seemed the worst, while a fillet weld seemed to go better. I also used some Lincoln Innershield NR-211 MP (can be picked up at Home Depot and Lowe's in my area), and it ran much better. Thicker, more consistent flux/slag coating, smoother running, better looking beads, less spatter, no porosity. Still some flux runoff with beads on plate when running hot, but not nearly as bad, and not noticed on normal joints. Not saying you should give up on the Vulcan brand wire, but definitely try some Lincoln NR-211 before you give up on flux core all together.
Nice review! I have not given up on flux core at all. Have been doing some research on the wires and application. In a reply to a comment below I mentioned that I had bought a spool of the NR-211-MP and have managed to find the right settings to get a good bead, funny thing is that those same settings also improve the VULCAN wire to just nearly as good as the Lincoln wire.
That's good, glad you got the settings worked out. I was able to get decent results with the Vulcan wire, but it was less consistent than the Lincoln wire. The Lincoln wire seemed to give decent results under a wider range of settings/conditions. I'm still a beginner when it comes to wire feed myself. So I can only speak from a place of my current, limited experience.
If it helps take a look at the above reply to Tinker and the link on the Lincoln NR-211-MP wire it sure helped me understand the wire and its applications better.
I've always found lincoln wire works great on my everlast welder. I've never tried the vulcan wire before. It would be nice to be able to get good results with that as there is always a harbor freight near by.
th-cam.com/video/zL1sKFBvdoE/w-d-xo.html This guy had the same problem and he switched to Lincoln np 211 wire also make sure you are in manual mode for wire size if you want to use chart and dial in wire speed. Hang in there you will get it
Looks cold
It may be The polarity, did you changed your polarity cables? from solid wire to flux core???
I like your videos, but I definitely have to ask... why is your power outlet way up by the ceiling? I’ve never seen that before.
That was for a automatic water sprinkler. All the others in the garage are about 4' off the ground as well.
Tip you not charging any thing between the settings while auto unless you directly on the tap settings so try manually
flux core welding seems to be highly dependent upon the wire. i have a $150 flux core from northern tool welder still going strong after 8 years and the stuff that came with it was garbage compared to the lincoln wire i got.
Lincoln 211 mp wire
I realize this video is about 5 months old already, but incase you haven't already been told Flux core always runs hotter on every machine not just the Vulcan. Use their settings as a guide but switch to manual and dial it in for yourself if you need to. Hope that helps.
try the lincoln inner shield wire. Its the good stuff.
are you switching the polarity on flux core vs solid wire? those flux core welds almost look like they r the wrong polarity.
Yes polarity is being run DCEN on the flux core. Machine auto and manual chart settings are just way to hot.
Some good points. Thanks for sharing
I bought this machine a few days ago. Is it me or does the wire speed seem the same on all settings?
Patrick Dolan hahahaha
i also have this question i just got it and i mean it does weld good enough for my needs but the same thing the wire speed doesnt seem to change AT ALL from high to low, did you have any luck finding out?
Try manual setting!
p.s. Try using a different brand of wire. Wire really makes a difference. As a matter of fact Bob Moffat has done comparisons between Lincoln wire and HF wire and he was thumbs up on Lincoln in a big way! Peace.
if you running the machine at 120v then your wire feed speed IPM is much less than when you run at 240V. almost half the speed. you cam measure for yourself and confirm. you can use a stop watch or contact Tachometer . both will be accurate enough.
Focus on the puddle Donnie and the rest shall come naturally, from what I understand, flux core shouldn't be used in synergic mode but I might be wrong with the way these new machines are designed. The omnipro 220 just made it into my shop, will be playing with it all weekend. Keep up the practicing Sir!
You are correct about the synergic mode and the flux core and I have also found that you can not use the settings from the charts either. After some studying of flux core wires I found that this machine and its settings run outside of what is recommended on the voltage for them. Once I found the correct settings by trial and error this welder puts out some really nice welds with either the Vulcan or the Lincoln wire. On a side note I hear that ESAB has a new flux core wire out that is top notch, when I find some I am going to give it a try.
I am really understanding on the machine settings, I got a Omnipro 220 yesterday and I found that the factory settings are ok but you really need to find the sweet spot. The machine burns hot and you really need to keep up with the puddle or it will build up on you. The inverter technology will take some getting used to since my last mig welder was an older millermatic 211. I did find a trick to my loose nozzle, Install it counterclockwise with a tight press and then turn it clockwise a little, it kind of locks in place.
I just finished a review of the machine myself and found the same as you, it runs hot on flux core on 1/8" and thinner material in the synergic mode. In manual settings it went better, but still a bit rough. It does go better on thicker material.
I also noticed the tendency of the flux to run off the weld and pool at the toes, making it more difficult to remove while not shielding the weld properly. I found it partly dependent on the joint configuration. Beads on plate (what you're doing) seemed the worst, while a fillet weld seemed to go better. I also used some Lincoln Innershield NR-211 MP (can be picked up at Home Depot and Lowe's in my area), and it ran much better. Thicker, more consistent flux/slag coating, smoother running, better looking beads, less spatter, no porosity. Still some flux runoff with beads on plate when running hot, but not nearly as bad, and not noticed on normal joints.
Not saying you should give up on the Vulcan brand wire, but definitely try some Lincoln NR-211 before you give up on flux core all together.
Nice review! I have not given up on flux core at all. Have been doing some research on the wires and application. In a reply to a comment below I mentioned that I had bought a spool of the NR-211-MP and have managed to find the right settings to get a good bead, funny thing is that those same settings also improve the VULCAN wire to just nearly as good as the Lincoln wire.
That's good, glad you got the settings worked out. I was able to get decent results with the Vulcan wire, but it was less consistent than the Lincoln wire. The Lincoln wire seemed to give decent results under a wider range of settings/conditions. I'm still a beginner when it comes to wire feed myself. So I can only speak from a place of my current, limited experience.
If it helps take a look at the above reply to Tinker and the link on the Lincoln NR-211-MP wire it sure helped me understand the wire and its applications better.
Thanks for the tip.
I've always found lincoln wire works great on my everlast welder. I've never tried the vulcan wire before. It would be nice to be able to get good results with that as there is always a harbor freight near by.
th-cam.com/video/zL1sKFBvdoE/w-d-xo.html
This guy had the same problem and he switched to Lincoln np 211 wire also make sure you are in manual mode for wire size if you want to use chart and dial in wire speed. Hang in there you will get it
Hi yes i bought the lincoln wire made big difference and what help me alot was good welding helmet. Just little 2 cents.
Peace