I left out a key detail in this video! When you set up your MIG welder, OR switch from solid wire MIG to Flux Core, make sure the POLARITY of your machine is correct. Most machines, including this one need to be set to either electrode positive, or electrode negative in order to flux core/MIG weld correctly. Check your machine and make sure the electrode and ground are connected correctly for your particular process for the best results!
I didn't think this was a tutorial for how to weld. Just comparing the two processes. As far as the cheap Harbor Freight welder goes you can modify those to weld better. They're cheap because they leave out some parts that are nice to have. Like a rectifier, an inductor and a capacitor. Those parts increase the cost of the machine. But they also stabilize the arc too. The HF el cheapo is AC.
Great video. I have a Lincoln 180 and have been welding flux-core for a long time and actually forgot the difference between MIG and flux. I forgot how clean the MIG comes in. I do all flux outside, and in sun so it will be weird doing MIG indoors.
I have two welders, an ESAB emp 205 Rebel and a HF Titanium 125, the welder you mentioned. While most of my welding is done with the 205, I do use the 125. The 125 is a surprisingly good welder, considering it’s a 125 amp unit. That does limit one. But within its range, if you know what you’re doing (I’ve been welding for 50 years), you can get excellent welds up to 3/16”, if you buy the appropriate size wire 0.035” and the right type, not GS, but 11T, you can weld thicker metal to about 5/16” with multipass. That’s more than thick enough for most everything the average person will need to do. I’d like to point out, in response to the negative statements he keeps making about fluxcore, that with the proper machines and wire, fluxcore is used to build skyscrapers, ships, etc. You get deeper penetration with fluxcore than with MiG.
You skipped over a HUGE part of flux core setup and that's polarity....flux core has to be welded DCEN, vs DCEP on mig with gas....most people who buy a mig machine and use flux core, don't realize they have to swap polarity, so they get crap results so the poo-poo the whole process. Your machine prob swaps polarity automatically when you tell it what process you're welding. Most mig machines dont. The fact is you can drop dimes with a flux core setup, and weld thicker material. Some people just suck at flux core. But it's far from an inferior process.
Good catch!! Its second nature for me to switch to DCEN/ DCEP, and I forgot to mention it in this video! Ill Pin a comment about that now to remind people! So many people who have asked me for help with their machines fail to read the instruction on HOW to set them up! Its crazy! I've had great luck with Flux core welding in the field and on really dirty and thick material in a pinch! Its a shame to see people upset when they buy a flux core only machine and realize they can never use gas!
I bought the 175 Plus/HD (HD = Home Depot) machine for one purpose. My heater core of my pool heater was cracked/leaked. The machine ( I am NO! welder) got the gaps fixes for half the price of a new core. 15 years later I go around on trash day to fine metal objects to cut and build skill. Now i need to work on my Crown Vic before I sell it and buy a new car. It is all about building skill. Your video gave me more incentive. Thank you!
That's one thing I've always needed to learn is to the weld. I hate paying a man 75.00 an hour to make a a minimum of tack weld. Thanks, very educational.
Its such a great skill to learn! And honestly, its much easier than most people think... There are a lot of gret online resources now too where you can get virtual help where someone will literally zoom call you while you learn to weld and help you dial in your settings. Look up The Fabrication Series here on youtube, hes got a few great programs!
Its been a couple years since i looked at my miller, i could swear the polarity had to be switched for flux core. I could look it up but yeah it makes a huge difference
If you're looking at appearances, I find if you just use a cupped wire wheel on a 4.5" angle grinder to remove the slag. Gets most of the surrounding spatter too all in one shot
I have a MIG and a TIG welder. I don't use either anymore. Getting gas is a pain. All I do today is stick weld. It's the cheapest and easiest welding process to keep up with. A pack of sticks and I'm all set.
@@josejovel8359 My stick welder is 240V but they make 120V stick welders. They're not too powerful. But they do make them. A really powerful stick welder would be 480V. So even my 240V welder is on the weak side.
@@josejovel8359 there is gasless wire feed welding. But I found that keeping wire was a bit of a hassle too. I've had spools of wire rust on me. I've had stick electrodes get soggy. Those I roast over an electric grill I have. That's all climate dependent. If it is dry where you're at you won't have those problems. Stick welding thin material is hard. If you plan on welding sheet metal then get a wire feed welder. Wire welding is generally considered the easiest process to learn. The first process I learned was oxy acetylene welding. Then I got my MIG and finally my TIG/stick welder. Welding with a torch is pretty dangerous. All welding can be dangerous. An open flame is especially dangerous though.
The ONLY thing I think flux core really sucks for is welding thin metal. Because its hotter it tends to blow through a lot more. I always recommend ppl get a machine that cab use gas, because once you use gas you never want to go back to flux if you can avoid it.
Well, the usual answer to a too hot welding is to reduce the electric current, like fewer amps. Which means, get a machine which can regulate that low enough. Also a thin wire, for car welding 0.6 mm (3/128") works a lot smoother than the more common 0.8 mm (1/32"). If such flux core wire is sold.
I’ve welded flux core and Gas for over 40 years I prefer Gas in the shop fluxcore outside because everything flux core is usually on heavy equipment 1 inch thick or over steel get beautiful wells with flux core never a problem- nr 211 5/64 wire And sometimes i weld dual sheld 😊
Unfortunately a good looking MIG weld is not necessarily a strong weld. Sometimes a MIG weld looks great, but has no penetration. So you need to run a test or two to be sure. I have MIG, but have never used it, as when my flux core is set up properly, it does all I need. Thank you for your video.
Great comparison! The strong argument for flux core is, you don't need a gas bottle. While renting or buying a gas bottle is no problem for professionals which weld every day, it's the most expensive part for those hobbyists welding only five times a year.
key point being USE QUALITY WIRE. especially with flux, It can be the difference between getting a nice quality weld, and a pile of bird doo doo and BBs stuck to everything.
Just getting into some welding and using the HF Titanium 125 because of initial cost. Thanks for the explanations and resource links, they'll help a lot. - Chris
I don’t even need to watch to answer. I have several welders, two of which are twins: a Lincoln weldpak 100 with fluxcore, and a second with so it’s mig. They both work great!
My Lincoln 90i FC has taught me the basics of welding and paid for itself in less than a years time. I’m teaching myself stick now and have thoughts of adding a portable plasma cutter to the arsenal.
Obviously you can't cover everything in one flux core vs. solid wire video, but you did a great job in covering the basics. Flux core has its purposes and you mentioned one of them briefly, it runs hot. Whenever I want to weld something thicker (before I got my 285 amp machine), I would switch to flux core because I knew it penetrated deeper and let me stick thicker pieces of metal together. :) Love the channel!
By sequencing the welds differently than done here, you can really reduce how much the heat will pull your corner out of square. Do the outside corner first, then do the two diagonals, pulling from inside to out. Inside corner last.
I had to laugh when he said his clamping held the pieces from distorting. Nothing in the world is going to stop that metal from moving. A literal ton of fixturing wouldn't do it. I don't know how much force expanding metal exerts but I know it is a lot.
@@5ivearrows There's people that can play the distortion. They'll set stuff up out of square and when they're done it's square. I'm not one of those guys. Jodie did a video about distortion where he put a laser on the steel. That light beam was doing the watusi. Metal moves. There's zero chance it'll be in the same place when it cools down too. You get steel hot enough to weld and you're changing its atomic structure. It's like musical chairs. Them atoms are dancing around and when the music stops everything is somewhere else. I watched a video of Caterpillar doing huge weldments and they knew stuff was going to move. They have all the resources in the world and they just accepted the fact that they're machining the weldment when it's done.
I've been welding for 30 plus yeand I have many machines for various projects. And I just used a titanium 125 flux core welder today, in fact. To weld a truck frame. And I put fish plates on that were quarter inch thick and had absolutely no problems with it. And I have done many things likwith similar machines. And I've also got a 6 in 1 welding machine that does big tag stick. Flex core, you name it. It's got a lot going on with it and the machines. They make lower price than the old machines are surprisingly well made. Granted, I do have some of the older machines and still use my trusty. Old Lincoln stickwelder as well as other old machines to get jobs done. But I am surprised and astonished at how well some of the new machines really work. And I'm also embarrassed and surprised at how litthe tech schools teach the kids today and how to weld as fabrication and so forth. My generation had far more education and we also learned how to gas weld and weld using 100 Amp alternators and wire hangers on the farm
Well, sometimes it needs just a bit electronics to make the process run much smoother. High amps electronics is just a few dollars today, did cost a fortune 30 years ago.
I just picked up a titanium 125 and man it is a pretty useful tool for $150. Spool of wire and a 110 outlet, just go to town. As you said it is a smoking monster so have to provide for ventilation if indoors. Worse than stick welding.
Many thanks for this no-nonsense explanation for beginners like me. Could you perhaps also give a hint as how to differentiate between choosing flux-core/MIG and stick-welding? I have both a simple stick-welding and a flux-core machine. I use the flux-core for thin stuff and the stick for anything thicker, but it's all quite intuitive, learning by doing. The flux-core gives me more manual control on the guiding of the puddle, but is more fiddly with the settings, whereas the stick is rather "aggressive", but tends to make a decent puddle, as long as I have a simple surface.
Flux core and hard wire are “MIG”welding. This video is informative, but as someone who has worked in the field if I use a MiG welder to weld flux core I’m not gonna say hey I’m gonna use my flux core welder… it’s a MiG welder, used to weld flux core and hard wire. Etc.
this is the 1st video of yours I've seen.Noticed the 360MP in the background-I run one at my 9-5, dualshield and aluminum push-pull.It's a beast! We had Miller 350P's until I brought in my 350MP with a Python.Now the Millers collect dust while we run 2 360's,2 260's and a big watercooled powerwave 350pushpull that's getting replaced with another 360
Just be sure to buy sealed wire, when you get vac sealed flux core wire its super shiny, and it runs waaaay smoother than the stuff that wasnt sealed and is now dull and covered in oxides. cheap sealed wire is better than Lincoln wire thats been in open air for too long.
This is very helpful, I am going to be making a short video of my working on my welding. I also have a harbor freight welder and if I am being honest, it is pretty discouraging from how bad the unit works but I am going to get better wire with less spatter and do a real project with it. I want to get a good welder and Jimmy DiResta recommended the 180mp since I have 220v but need to do some more saving before getting it. Thanks for the video and happy to see you are well. ❤👊🏼
I hope its not too late to get advice. I'm a beginner and can't seem to zero in on that smooth spatterless bead regardless of wire feed speed, arc distance, angle, etc. Yes, I have the cheap 90 A gasless Chicago electric flux core welder. As a beginner I felt if I could master the cheapest flux welder then I could move on to an improved welder. Here's my technical question. The manual doesn't offer polarity instructions except for the electrode is connected to the positive marked inlet and the ground clamp is marked negative. Without knowing if I can damage the welder, my question is, can I reverse the leads to see if results are better? From all the you tube instructional videos I've watched, the polarity setting that the welder calls for may not be accurate for DC welding. Help me out if you can. Thanks.
Ok so I have a Hobart handler (I think it’s a 140) but it’s 110v and will do mug and flux core. My question is if I am welding 1/4 “ material will I get better penetration if I use flux? You mentioned I. The video flux gets hotter. I was welding 1/4 “ mig on highest heat setting and did fine but seemed like it could use more penetration.
I have 200$ Chainse flux/mig (i can use gas or not) welder, and in workshop is good to use gas, but as Im not fabrycator, and i use welder only to technical support (weld broken log arch or tack weld something to weld it in workshop) in car I have only small flux. Make the job.
Long time all process welder. Got a 350p, and a few other Millers, but shopping for a cheap portable flux 110 machine for my truck/generator. Can't believe all the Amazon brands and goofy youtube videos calling flux MIG. The "mig" branded cheapo flux machines even come with mig nozzles ha ha. Guess society is just getting dumbed down. And that is one sweet corner jig and table you got there!
You forgot to mention with fluxcore there are two types , inner shield which you show in this video and duel shield which uses a shield gas typically straight CO2 or 75/25 . You are definitely a hobbyist welder . We also in the field or shop do not grind our welds flush unless a drawing calls for it.
GOTTA ASK: Did it never occur to you to say anything about the fumes-or lack of them-generated by the MIG welding? I was waiting for that. I'm sure I'm not alone. Had to wonder how any mention of this was left out, SINCE THIS WAS A "COMPARISON". Maybe the time taken to mention the beautiful table used up all the camera film? Just guessing.
Real downside nobody ever mentions is the flux is highly corrosive. That's the dealbreaker, after running it for 2 full years - you have to be beyond meticulous in cleaning up welds, or else it rusts faster than seawater. I've decided the cost of gas is better than having to scrub every weld super clean afterwards. Develop a non corrosive flux, I'm in - I love the process. It's the corrosion I don't love. .
I just switched because I'm having trouble getting gas....I hate flux core ...porosity has never been a problem for me until I started using flux core. Several days in and I still haven't found the sweet spot for volts versus wire flow
Have you tried changing out your wire? I know when Ive used old flux core wire that was exposed to humidity i get excessive porosity... That would be the problem. I really like this Lincoln inner shield wire.
@@MakeEverything thanks unfortunately its brand new...It might be cheap junky wire to be honest, because I am not normally this bad at welding....(don't buy vevor wire guys its awful) but I also have another that is turning out to be no better. maybe I need to spend more money which will be annoying but there we go.
Yeah I got tired of chasing after gas. The closest gas house to me is over an hour away. So you're talking a half a day to go get gas. Remember if there's slag then you drag. When you weld with flux you have to pay more attention to the puddle. The goal is to keep pushing the flux to the back of the puddle.The flux looks a little brighter. Use your angle and arc force to push flux back.
I have two MIG One TIG and a "TomStone" Weldet I have been usuind the old Arck welder for about 60 years on pretty much everything and is basicly a Flux cour It real advantage in my garage shop is it will weld clean or dirty with the MIG and espaily TIG will not do well Because the new Flux cur machines are lighty and real handy I'm thinking about buying one They cost about what I paid for the old machaine 60 years ago
If you're an occasional welder just get a cheap stick machine. With the right electrodes and being careful you can do the around the house stuff with it. MIG is worthless when you're out of gas. Most of the bottles you get from supply houses leak. They sell gas so they've no incentive to maintain their tanks.
flux core is just fine for the person who doesn't weld often at all and is easier. Mig proponents are often more professional who do it for a living. For what flux core users need they're fine and can save the $500 extra
Well done video. Some of the comments are filling in some information that may have been wise to include. However, since my needs are really basic at best, I have enough information to purchase a budget welder which will not get too much use. Thank you.
Hello. Good that you corrected this with polarity, but you don't use the word "earth", instead the word "return" . You say MIG and translate it with "Metal Inert Gas", Ok, but inert means "natural/noble gas gas" e.g. Argon and the welding process is not affected. If you weld with flux wire, it is absolutely not MIG (possibly MAG). You have described MIG welding with a mixture of Argon and CO2, but this will be a MAG (Metal active Gas). The gas affects the welding process.//reg hakan
I brought a gassless mig as Im afraid and don’t understand the gass side of it. I attended a short night course for welding where the machines are already setup
I'm looking at the schematic for that machine now and it is AC. The output comes right off the transformer. There is nothing there. But you may ask, what should be there? A rectifier a capacitor and an inductor. That will give you smooth DC. There's videos here that explain how to modify that welder to be more capable. The parts you need and how to install them.
My business is mainly focused around metal fabrication these days. Specifically really high end art fabricating, so having an accurate fixture table is super important.
Them T-8 structural seismic wires are bad, they leave behind a powder that is an irritant. You breathe it in and it feels like the air gets sucked out of your lungs, and definitely never rub your eyes if you touch it.
Damn 😅 i tell people when they ask what certs to get, I tell stick , and 232 inner shield , LA city cert recognized worldwide, if you can run 232 and 305 wire L8 , meg 😂
What about dual shield fluxcore. And you can do both theyre both types of mig with any machine as long as there is a gas input on machine but you can probably get around that with some adapter like usedfor making a dedicated SMAW machine run TIG. Also the polarity is reversed for each type most of you guys informing people on these two mig\fluxcore dont mention this. Many have issues with flux core cause they dont switch polarity and will stop using it......
Probably flux core, but depends on what kind of wire and what it is exposed too, in a seismic setting I would prefer a T-8 flux core wire rather than a S-6 hard wire. They have their purposes, on any job site where they are welding structural, especially on the west coast, you will find T-8 welding wires being used too weld bridges, too moment connections on a steel erection job. Strength depends on what you are going to expose that weld too, to many variables in play for a generalized question.
The new Gasless mig are controlled from the power and Automatically feeds the wire much better welder and you would not have had the porus problems and rewelding 😊
You got an explanation wrong. You can have oxygen in the welds, you can even get tri mix with oxygen in the gas. Its the hydrogen in the air that caused porosity. That's what the gas is shielding the weld from. The other gasses in the shield gas add different characteristics to the weld pool. High % to 100% argon gives a smooth weld but not a lot of penetration. Pure CO2 gives tons of penetration but a dirty, spatter filled weld. 75/25 (75% argon/25% CO2) is a good mid point for good penetration and smooth welding characteristics. If what you are doing can achieve adequate penetration with 10% or less CO2, then this will allow you to be able to spray weld, instead of dip transfer. Spray welding can give you an incredibly smooth, clean weld.
I left out a key detail in this video! When you set up your MIG welder, OR switch from solid wire MIG to Flux Core, make sure the POLARITY of your machine is correct. Most machines, including this one need to be set to either electrode positive, or electrode negative in order to flux core/MIG weld correctly. Check your machine and make sure the electrode and ground are connected correctly for your particular process for the best results!
metal no sticky :)
I didn't think this was a tutorial for how to weld. Just comparing the two processes. As far as the cheap Harbor Freight welder goes you can modify those to weld better. They're cheap because they leave out some parts that are nice to have. Like a rectifier, an inductor and a capacitor. Those parts increase the cost of the machine. But they also stabilize the arc too. The HF el cheapo is AC.
When switching from flux to mig what else is needed?
Great video. I have a Lincoln 180 and have been welding flux-core for a long time and actually forgot the difference between MIG and flux. I forgot how clean the MIG comes in. I do all flux outside, and in sun so it will be weird doing MIG indoors.
I have two welders, an ESAB emp 205 Rebel and a HF Titanium 125, the welder you mentioned. While most of my welding is done with the 205, I do use the 125. The 125 is a surprisingly good welder, considering it’s a 125 amp unit. That does limit one. But within its range, if you know what you’re doing (I’ve been welding for 50 years), you can get excellent welds up to 3/16”, if you buy the appropriate size wire 0.035” and the right type, not GS, but 11T, you can weld thicker metal to about 5/16” with multipass. That’s more than thick enough for most everything the average person will need to do. I’d like to point out, in response to the negative statements he keeps making about fluxcore, that with the proper machines and wire, fluxcore is used to build skyscrapers, ships, etc. You get deeper penetration with fluxcore than with MiG.
You are a great instructor a lot of Welders (people that weld) can be patronising and turn novice Welders like me off welding.Thank you😊
You skipped over a HUGE part of flux core setup and that's polarity....flux core has to be welded DCEN, vs DCEP on mig with gas....most people who buy a mig machine and use flux core, don't realize they have to swap polarity, so they get crap results so the poo-poo the whole process. Your machine prob swaps polarity automatically when you tell it what process you're welding. Most mig machines dont.
The fact is you can drop dimes with a flux core setup, and weld thicker material. Some people just suck at flux core. But it's far from an inferior process.
Good catch!! Its second nature for me to switch to DCEN/ DCEP, and I forgot to mention it in this video! Ill Pin a comment about that now to remind people! So many people who have asked me for help with their machines fail to read the instruction on HOW to set them up! Its crazy! I've had great luck with Flux core welding in the field and on really dirty and thick material in a pinch! Its a shame to see people upset when they buy a flux core only machine and realize they can never use gas!
Completely agree
I recently got a Hobart 190. I've only been running flux core and the welder is a beast.
Flux core is too convenient to turn your nose up at it.
FCAW-S is DCEN, FCAW-G is DCEP 👍🏻
I bought the 175 Plus/HD (HD = Home Depot) machine for one purpose. My heater core of my pool heater was cracked/leaked. The machine ( I am NO! welder) got the gaps fixes for half the price of a new core. 15 years later I go around on trash day to fine metal objects to cut and build skill. Now i need to work on my Crown Vic before I sell it and buy a new car. It is all about building skill. Your video gave me more incentive. Thank you!
That's one thing I've always needed to learn is to the weld. I hate paying a man 75.00 an hour to make a a minimum of tack weld. Thanks, very educational.
Its such a great skill to learn! And honestly, its much easier than most people think... There are a lot of gret online resources now too where you can get virtual help where someone will literally zoom call you while you learn to weld and help you dial in your settings. Look up The Fabrication Series here on youtube, hes got a few great programs!
Its been a couple years since i looked at my miller, i could swear the polarity had to be switched for flux core. I could look it up but yeah it makes a huge difference
Hobart is made by Miller and you do have to switch the polarity in my experiences
That model he’s using does it automatically when you select flux or mig
If you're looking at appearances, I find if you just use a cupped wire wheel on a 4.5" angle grinder to remove the slag. Gets most of the surrounding spatter too all in one shot
I have a MIG and a TIG welder. I don't use either anymore. Getting gas is a pain. All I do today is stick weld. It's the cheapest and easiest welding process to keep up with. A pack of sticks and I'm all set.
But the stick welding machine works on 240 votls only right?
@@josejovel8359 My stick welder is 240V but they make 120V stick welders. They're not too powerful. But they do make them. A really powerful stick welder would be 480V. So even my 240V welder is on the weak side.
Alright! Bro thanks for the tip , I'll get a 240v one since I'm a beginner
@@josejovel8359 there is gasless wire feed welding. But I found that keeping wire was a bit of a hassle too. I've had spools of wire rust on me. I've had stick electrodes get soggy. Those I roast over an electric grill I have. That's all climate dependent. If it is dry where you're at you won't have those problems. Stick welding thin material is hard. If you plan on welding sheet metal then get a wire feed welder. Wire welding is generally considered the easiest process to learn. The first process I learned was oxy acetylene welding. Then I got my MIG and finally my TIG/stick welder. Welding with a torch is pretty dangerous. All welding can be dangerous. An open flame is especially dangerous though.
I see so then you recommend to use the wire feed one which is the same as mig
The ONLY thing I think flux core really sucks for is welding thin metal. Because its hotter it tends to blow through a lot more. I always recommend ppl get a machine that cab use gas, because once you use gas you never want to go back to flux if you can avoid it.
Good call mate
Well, the usual answer to a too hot welding is to reduce the electric current, like fewer amps. Which means, get a machine which can regulate that low enough. Also a thin wire, for car welding 0.6 mm (3/128") works a lot smoother than the more common 0.8 mm (1/32"). If such flux core wire is sold.
If found this to be the other way around.
I’ve welded flux core and Gas for over 40 years I prefer Gas in the shop fluxcore outside because everything flux core is usually on heavy equipment 1 inch thick or over steel get beautiful wells with flux core never a problem- nr 211 5/64 wire And sometimes i weld dual sheld 😊
Unfortunately a good looking MIG weld is not necessarily a strong weld. Sometimes a MIG weld looks great, but has no penetration. So you need to run a test or two to be sure.
I have MIG, but have never used it, as when my flux core is set up properly, it does all I need.
Thank you for your video.
Great comparison! The strong argument for flux core is, you don't need a gas bottle. While renting or buying a gas bottle is no problem for professionals which weld every day, it's the most expensive part for those hobbyists welding only five times a year.
key point being USE QUALITY WIRE. especially with flux, It can be the difference between getting a nice quality weld, and a pile of bird doo doo and BBs stuck to everything.
There's another video from another welder on wire and Forney and yes welder wire came out on top
Just getting into some welding and using the HF Titanium 125 because of initial cost. Thanks for the explanations and resource links, they'll help a lot. - Chris
I don’t even need to watch to answer. I have several welders, two of which are twins: a Lincoln weldpak 100 with fluxcore, and a second with so it’s mig.
They both work great!
My Lincoln 90i FC has taught me the basics of welding and paid for itself in less than a years time. I’m teaching myself stick now and have thoughts of adding a portable plasma cutter to the arsenal.
Obviously you can't cover everything in one flux core vs. solid wire video, but you did a great job in covering the basics. Flux core has its purposes and you mentioned one of them briefly, it runs hot. Whenever I want to weld something thicker (before I got my 285 amp machine), I would switch to flux core because I knew it penetrated deeper and let me stick thicker pieces of metal together. :) Love the channel!
By sequencing the welds differently than done here, you can really reduce how much the heat will pull your corner out of square. Do the outside corner first, then do the two diagonals, pulling from inside to out. Inside corner last.
I had to laugh when he said his clamping held the pieces from distorting. Nothing in the world is going to stop that metal from moving. A literal ton of fixturing wouldn't do it. I don't know how much force expanding metal exerts but I know it is a lot.
@@1pcfred 100% yeah. The best you can do is understand how it is distorting the metal and use that knowledge to minimize it as much as possible
@@5ivearrows There's people that can play the distortion. They'll set stuff up out of square and when they're done it's square. I'm not one of those guys. Jodie did a video about distortion where he put a laser on the steel. That light beam was doing the watusi. Metal moves. There's zero chance it'll be in the same place when it cools down too. You get steel hot enough to weld and you're changing its atomic structure. It's like musical chairs. Them atoms are dancing around and when the music stops everything is somewhere else. I watched a video of Caterpillar doing huge weldments and they knew stuff was going to move. They have all the resources in the world and they just accepted the fact that they're machining the weldment when it's done.
I've been welding for 30 plus yeand I have many machines for various projects. And I just used a titanium 125 flux core welder today, in fact.
To weld a truck frame. And I put fish plates on that were quarter inch thick and had absolutely no problems with it. And I have done many things likwith similar machines. And I've also got a 6 in 1 welding machine that does big tag stick. Flex core, you name it. It's got a lot going on with it and the machines. They make lower price than the old machines are surprisingly well made. Granted, I do have some of the older machines and still use my trusty. Old Lincoln stickwelder as well as other old machines to get jobs done. But I am surprised and astonished at how well some of the new machines really work. And I'm also embarrassed and surprised at how litthe tech schools teach the kids today and how to weld as fabrication and so forth. My generation had far more education and we also learned how to gas weld and weld using 100 Amp alternators and wire hangers on the farm
Well, sometimes it needs just a bit electronics to make the process run much smoother. High amps electronics is just a few dollars today, did cost a fortune 30 years ago.
I just picked up a titanium 125 and man it is a pretty useful tool for $150. Spool of wire and a 110 outlet, just go to town. As you said it is a smoking monster so have to provide for ventilation if indoors. Worse than stick welding.
Many thanks for this no-nonsense explanation for beginners like me.
Could you perhaps also give a hint as how to differentiate between choosing flux-core/MIG and stick-welding? I have both a simple stick-welding and a flux-core machine. I use the flux-core for thin stuff and the stick for anything thicker, but it's all quite intuitive, learning by doing. The flux-core gives me more manual control on the guiding of the puddle, but is more fiddly with the settings, whereas the stick is rather "aggressive", but tends to make a decent puddle, as long as I have a simple surface.
I love my Hobart handler 210. For a home welder, it's hard to beat for the money.
Flux core and hard wire are “MIG”welding. This video is informative, but as someone who has worked in the field if I use a MiG welder to weld flux core I’m not gonna say hey I’m gonna use my flux core welder… it’s a MiG welder, used to weld flux core and hard wire. Etc.
this is the 1st video of yours I've seen.Noticed the 360MP in the background-I run one at my 9-5, dualshield and aluminum push-pull.It's a beast! We had Miller 350P's until I brought in my 350MP with a Python.Now the Millers collect dust while we run 2 360's,2 260's and a big watercooled powerwave 350pushpull that's getting replaced with another 360
Dual shield is flux core that is mig. Ran it for 35 yrs. Always just called it flux core. Ran a lot of hardwire too and big wire innershield.
Great video, I needed this alot. Crazy how I was in NDE for 13 years. Graded thousands of welds. Never made one.
Just be sure to buy sealed wire, when you get vac sealed flux core wire its super shiny, and it runs waaaay smoother than the stuff that wasnt sealed and is now dull and covered in oxides. cheap sealed wire is better than Lincoln wire thats been in open air for too long.
This is very helpful, I am going to be making a short video of my working on my welding. I also have a harbor freight welder and if I am being honest, it is pretty discouraging from how bad the unit works but I am going to get better wire with less spatter and do a real project with it.
I want to get a good welder and Jimmy DiResta recommended the 180mp since I have 220v but need to do some more saving before getting it.
Thanks for the video and happy to see you are well. ❤👊🏼
I hope its not too late to get advice. I'm a beginner and can't seem to zero in on that smooth spatterless bead regardless of wire feed speed, arc distance, angle, etc. Yes, I have the cheap 90 A gasless Chicago electric flux core welder. As a beginner I felt if I could master the cheapest flux welder then I could move on to an improved welder. Here's my technical question. The manual doesn't offer polarity instructions except for the electrode is connected to the positive marked inlet and the ground clamp is marked negative. Without knowing if I can damage the welder, my question is, can I reverse the leads to see if results are better? From all the you tube instructional videos I've watched, the polarity setting that the welder calls for may not be accurate for DC welding. Help me out if you can. Thanks.
Ok so I have a Hobart handler (I think it’s a 140) but it’s 110v and will do mug and flux core. My question is if I am welding 1/4 “ material will I get better penetration if I use flux? You mentioned I. The video flux gets hotter. I was welding 1/4 “ mig on highest heat setting and did fine but seemed like it could use more penetration.
I have 200$ Chainse flux/mig (i can use gas or not) welder, and in workshop is good to use gas, but as Im not fabrycator, and i use welder only to technical support (weld broken log arch or tack weld something to weld it in workshop) in car I have only small flux. Make the job.
This is great. Guess I should just stick to MIG. Just looks easier. I have a Northern Tool unit. Need to upgrade at some point.
This guy is a true professional
As I understand it, stick welding is bad for thin sheet metal.
Would flux core be an acceptable alternative if I want to avoid gas?
Long time all process welder. Got a 350p, and a few other Millers, but shopping for a cheap portable flux 110 machine for my truck/generator. Can't believe all the Amazon brands and goofy youtube videos calling flux MIG. The "mig" branded cheapo flux machines even come with mig nozzles ha ha. Guess society is just getting dumbed down. And that is one sweet corner jig and table you got there!
Something for me to keep in mind I do body work and I been a mechanic for 30+years but never been a perfect welder
You forgot to mention with fluxcore there are two types , inner shield which you show in this video and duel shield which uses a shield gas typically straight CO2 or 75/25 . You are definitely a hobbyist welder . We also in the field or shop do not grind our welds flush unless a drawing calls for it.
It also helps to weld downhill with mig. Especially on the outside corner weld
Thanx for the lesson, people like u make this world fun
GOTTA ASK: Did it never occur to you to say anything about the fumes-or lack of them-generated by the MIG welding? I was waiting for that. I'm sure I'm not alone. Had to wonder how any mention of this was left out, SINCE THIS WAS A "COMPARISON". Maybe the time taken to mention the beautiful table used up all the camera film? Just guessing.
Real downside nobody ever mentions is the flux is highly corrosive. That's the dealbreaker, after running it for 2 full years - you have to be beyond meticulous in cleaning up welds, or else it rusts faster than seawater. I've decided the cost of gas is better than having to scrub every weld super clean afterwards.
Develop a non corrosive flux, I'm in - I love the process. It's the corrosion I don't love. .
Great video, what kind of grinding disk do you use?
I prefer the Pferd CC Grind Robust discs when im removing stock. They are incredibly fast!!
I have to switch polarity on my miller for gas and flux, are you sure you don't have to do the same with Lincoln
You're a great teacher. Love watching your videos.
What is best for welding in patch panels on autos?
What is the type of work bench you use from @3:30? That's so cool!
Never mind - was patient and you mentioned it later. BUT HOLY CRAP THEY"RE EXPENSIVE.
just bought my first MIG (Lincoln 215mp) What kind of bottled gas do i use?
I just switched because I'm having trouble getting gas....I hate flux core ...porosity has never been a problem for me until I started using flux core. Several days in and I still haven't found the sweet spot for volts versus wire flow
Forgot to add I have a really good welder
Have you tried changing out your wire? I know when Ive used old flux core wire that was exposed to humidity i get excessive porosity... That would be the problem. I really like this Lincoln inner shield wire.
polarity matters
@@MakeEverything thanks unfortunately its brand new...It might be cheap junky wire to be honest, because I am not normally this bad at welding....(don't buy vevor wire guys its awful) but I also have another that is turning out to be no better. maybe I need to spend more money which will be annoying but there we go.
Yeah I got tired of chasing after gas. The closest gas house to me is over an hour away. So you're talking a half a day to go get gas. Remember if there's slag then you drag. When you weld with flux you have to pay more attention to the puddle. The goal is to keep pushing the flux to the back of the puddle.The flux looks a little brighter. Use your angle and arc force to push flux back.
Love the no bullshit welds.. It's what they make 9 inch angle grinders for
It also depends on where you are welding, outside you want flux core.
I have two MIG One TIG and a "TomStone" Weldet I have been usuind the old Arck welder for about 60 years on pretty much everything and is basicly a Flux cour It real advantage in my garage shop is it will weld clean or dirty with the MIG and espaily TIG will not do well Because the new Flux cur machines are lighty and real handy I'm thinking about buying one They cost about what I paid for the old machaine 60 years ago
Would like to mess with welding one of these days, learned basic stick welding in middle school, but nothing since, and that was in the late 80's
If you're an occasional welder just get a cheap stick machine. With the right electrodes and being careful you can do the around the house stuff with it. MIG is worthless when you're out of gas. Most of the bottles you get from supply houses leak. They sell gas so they've no incentive to maintain their tanks.
flux core is just fine for the person who doesn't weld often at all and is easier. Mig proponents are often more professional who do it for a living. For what flux core users need they're fine and can save the $500 extra
Nice welding table
Well done video. Some of the comments are filling in some information that may have been wise to include. However, since my needs are really basic at best, I have enough information to purchase a budget welder which will not get too much use. Thank you.
So how did you truly end up liking the SD4050? I've been wanting one for small jobs
What is the impact on strength due to grinding of weld joint?
Hello. Good that you corrected this with polarity, but you don't use the word "earth", instead the word "return" .
You say MIG and translate it with "Metal Inert Gas", Ok, but inert means "natural/noble gas gas" e.g. Argon and the welding process is not affected.
If you weld with flux wire, it is absolutely not MIG (possibly MAG). You have described MIG welding with a mixture of Argon and CO2, but this will be a MAG (Metal active Gas). The gas affects the welding process.//reg hakan
Do you use a fume extractor for the MIG welding too?
@@johnnemo4146 yes, there’s Les fumes with MiG but oil be impurities still burn off your base metal and no smoke is good to breath in
Love that new table.
what are the situations that would require the use of one over the other? Why ever use flux core when MIG does the same thing, but a little better?
I would like to hear your recommendations for proper gloves.
I brought a gassless mig as Im afraid and don’t understand the gass side of it. I attended a short night course for welding where the machines are already setup
Nice video well explained out process.
Don't you have to switch out the polarity the 2 wires
What criteria should I use to determine weld quality when practicing on steel plates with the MIG welder?
Awesome work table
I uve a harbor freight flux 125. I also have a tig welder. The flux 125 is pretty dang good.
I'm looking at the schematic for that machine now and it is AC. The output comes right off the transformer. There is nothing there. But you may ask, what should be there? A rectifier a capacitor and an inductor. That will give you smooth DC. There's videos here that explain how to modify that welder to be more capable. The parts you need and how to install them.
Is it possible to use AC alternative curents for core flux welding?
Very helpful distinction, thanks.
I missed your machine settings for flux core and mig settings wire speed and voltage
Don't you think a Siegmund table is a little overkill? I would understand it if welding is your full time job, but you seem to do a lot of everything.
My business is mainly focused around metal fabrication these days. Specifically really high end art fabricating, so having an accurate fixture table is super important.
I see. What made you choose a Siegmund over a Fireball?
Any tip on how to avoid that sand feel in the eyes 🙈
Is the smoke that comes off bad for you?
All smoke is bad for you! Always ventilate and move air as best you can when welding!
Them T-8 structural seismic wires are bad, they leave behind a powder that is an irritant. You breathe it in and it feels like the air gets sucked out of your lungs, and definitely never rub your eyes if you touch it.
Thanks Chris! - John
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
exactly the video I was looking for, thank you
For a beginner just as hobby and building stuff needed around the warm would a flux core and stick combination machine do the job ?
And if so would 165 amp do the job ?
Good Video, Why did you not weld inside corner?
Nice welding methods
Was that a vented table you were grinding on?
Damn 😅 i tell people when they ask what certs to get, I tell stick , and 232 inner shield , LA city cert recognized worldwide, if you can run 232 and 305 wire L8 , meg 😂
Great informative thanks😊😊😊
Can I use flux core to weld engine brackets n transmission brackets please lmk thanks
Flux core is a deep penetrating process so beveling a 1/8 in thick tubing isn't necessary.
What about dual shield fluxcore.
And you can do both theyre both types of mig with any machine as long as there is a gas input on machine but you can probably get around that with some adapter like usedfor making a dedicated SMAW machine run TIG. Also the polarity is reversed for each type most of you guys informing people on these two mig\fluxcore dont mention this. Many have issues with flux core cause they dont switch polarity and will stop using it......
Which is stronger, MIG or Flux core?
Probably flux core, but depends on what kind of wire and what it is exposed too, in a seismic setting I would prefer a T-8 flux core wire rather than a S-6 hard wire. They have their purposes, on any job site where they are welding structural, especially on the west coast, you will find T-8 welding wires being used too weld bridges, too moment connections on a steel erection job. Strength depends on what you are going to expose that weld too, to many variables in play for a generalized question.
Thanks for the info.
Thank you for watching!
Flux core is the shit when used with a shielding gas.
The new Gasless mig are controlled from the power and Automatically feeds the wire much better welder and you would not have had the porus problems and rewelding 😊
can you use flux core for ali welding
What vise are you using for grinding?
Where do you get the welding table? Thanks
You got an explanation wrong. You can have oxygen in the welds, you can even get tri mix with oxygen in the gas. Its the hydrogen in the air that caused porosity. That's what the gas is shielding the weld from. The other gasses in the shield gas add different characteristics to the weld pool.
High % to 100% argon gives a smooth weld but not a lot of penetration. Pure CO2 gives tons of penetration but a dirty, spatter filled weld. 75/25 (75% argon/25% CO2) is a good mid point for good penetration and smooth welding characteristics. If what you are doing can achieve adequate penetration with 10% or less CO2, then this will allow you to be able to spray weld, instead of dip transfer. Spray welding can give you an incredibly smooth, clean weld.
Looks is one thing but strength of weld is number one
Question for you sir , I have a 212 miller can I might a tig if so do I have to change gas
Do you have to change the polarity
And how a bout a few words about the cost of gas, and tank etc needed?
What sicis is the wire? Flux scoote.