Flux-core without gas: what it is actually good for and how to not hate it
Difficultyeasy
Flux-core (FCAW-S) gets dumped on, but for outdoor repairs on dirty 1/8" to 1/4" steel it is the right tool. The rules are different from MIG:
- Electrode negative (DCEN). Swap the leads inside the machine. Half of "my flux-core is terrible" posts are running DCEP.
- Drag, don't push. You are dragging the puddle like stick welding so slag stays behind the arc.
- Longer stickout, 1/2" to 3/4", to preheat the wire.
- Chip and wire-brush every pass or you weld over slag.
- It spatters. Anti-spatter spray and a respirator; the fumes are worse than gas MIG.
It is not for sheet metal and it is not pretty. It is strong.
#flux-core#welding#outdoor#repair
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Followed along, got it done in about twice the time quoted, but it is done and it works.
Nice. What did the whole thing end up costing you?
Followed along, got it done in about twice the time quoted, but it is done and it works.
Unplug it. Always. Takes two seconds and the worst case otherwise is a trip to the ER.
The "what went wrong" section is the most useful part of this. More people should do that.
This is the kind of post that makes this place worth it.