LACK

Just found this thread.

Just a hobby welder here, learned the basics from a good friends dad who builds race cars and tube frame chassis.

Currently running a Hobart 210 MVP on 230v.

Mr. Pink

General statement, i refuse to use flux in a welder lol especially while learning how to weld.

Rogue4x4

Flux core has it's place, don't knock it too hard...

Basslicks

Yup, you're gonna love that flux wire when you can't get your project in shelter to protect it from the wind.

kyle96xj

Flux is great when you are 18 and already had to compromise with your dad to get the welder and he doesn't want big gas bottles laying around, plus having a 135 amp, like me, you get alot more penetration with Flux than gas. And it's really not half bad as far as spatter what not.

extrashaky

If he thinks flux core is nasty, imagine if he had to use 6010 rod.

I personally enjoy welding with a flux process, despite how messy it is. There's something satisfying about getting a weld tight enough that the flux just curls away from it and comes off in one long strip.

Basslicks

It's really cool when one good whack of the hammer knocks it looks and you can just blow it away lol.

JeepMN

That comment about getting more penetration with flux is completely false. Don't know why you would think that.

Mr. Pink

thanks for clarifying that. I dont want to use flux because i have heard and seen horror stories about it, its my welder my preference... I wont have to ever weld outside with it so i am keeping it converted to MIG. I am sure Flux has it's place, but it's not in my welder.

extrashaky

My last welding instructor told us flux core gives better penetration because the straw shape of the wire focuses the current better, and there was more heat with no cooling effect from the gas. He could certainly be wrong, but if he were I would think that would have become obvious when he graded projects by cutting and dying the work pieces.

XJwonders

It's true that FluxCored penetrates deeper, primarily because of the polarity on the welder.

Same can be said about running 100 percent carbon dioxide with MIG. It penetrates deeper than 75/25 argon mix but it's way more messy.

kyle96xj

My friend with a JK welded some lca mounts on his axle with gas on a 110v and they broke off, he used Flux core and they are still on to this day. The door of my welder says it can't go past like 1/8" with gas but goes all the way to 5/16" with flux. I've always heard its stronger, isn't that why dual shield is used on thick metal.

LACK

The reason FC has better penetration, is related to arc density. There is less metal in the end of a tubular wire, which compresses the arc forcing it deeper into the base metal.

wheelsaz08

got a question for you guys

is denatured alcohol a good solvent to prep with? i can get it by the gallon thru work for free.

ive used acetone and non chlorinated brake cleaner before but i figure if the alcohol will work, why not take it

LACK

Alcohol is ok it's just a pretty poor solvent for removing oil or grease. Acetone works much better, just don't use anything that's chlorinated.