Seeking suggestions for a 110v MIG welder.

[Shran]

Yeah, quality wire is important. I think if you can run it on a DC MIG machine will help a LOT too... AC flux is just more messy by nature. I ran some through my Miller 211 and there is significantly less splatter than with any of the cheapo AC MIG machines I've had.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've ran flux core for years, just got a bottle of steel mix a couple months ago... and like the second time I went to weld with it I forgot to turn it on since I'm not used to it at home (am at work...). Like Shran said, just like 6011 stick just in a continuous spool...

For what you're talking the smaller Hobart or Lincoln's would probably be the ticket, people on the other forums I'm on talk them up pretty good... for light welding my Titanium was nicer on .030" flux core than .030" solid but I think the wire speed on the flux core was higher which would make sense... If it was for work I'd step up a little too, but at home I can screw around (I only have two Titanium welders because I found that 170 for so cheap I couldn't pass it up...)

For the record with my stupid little 100A flux box once I started buying .035" wire exclusively it doesn't care what wire I feed it, too much voltage for .030" wire is my best guess...

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Well, I typed out a big response and now it’s gone…

But yes, nothing is more frustrating than trying to work with crappy tools and poor organizing. Packout makes a huge difference.

Lincoln used to make a portable wire feed but it was out of my budget. Not sure if it’s still available or if there’s a new version but…

I think the new version is the lincoln 140. I have an old (circa y2k) lincoln 175 plus as my primary wire feed machine. Works great, just heavy and needs 220V

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I am not a big fan of flux core gasless setups. I'd rather not paint on weld.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Flux core has it's place, it's way better than nothing but you can compare flux core as 6011 rods versus mig being closer to 6013 or 7018... they all have their place...

 

[oldgeek]

I think I used flux core only once, a long time ago. I remember hearing it is good for outdoors in windy situations.

This guy shows how one can get better penetration with flux core and addresses misconceptions.

 

[ryan]

Craigslist or word of mouth?

Facebook marketplace

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Flux core has it's place, it's way better than nothing but you can compare flux core as 6011 rods versus mig being closer to 6013 or 7018... they all have their place...

Never thought of that like that but it is a great analogy that I will refer to.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I think I used flux core only once, a long time ago. I remember hearing it is good for outdoors in windy situations.

This guy shows how one can get better penetration with flux core and addresses misconceptions.

Yep its for when gas wont work....usually outdoors. I am still not a fan. I would just switch to a stick welder and ARC it.

 

[Roert42]

For me the flux core doesn't have a big place. For portable work stick is better, lighter machine, only have to carry one or two rods, easy to switch between materials being welded, ect.

The benefit of wire welding is large runs of work in the same spot, more efficient. Gas is good working inside, but can use it outside, just turn up the gas flow and block as much wind as you can. Same with doing tig in the field. Neither flux core or solid wire are useable for anything structural or high pressure. More like 6013, not comparable to 7018. You need dual shield wire if you want to do production work with wire feeder.

 

[oldgeek]

What a rabbit hole this has been for me. Different wires for whatever application. Some wire with comparable tensile strength of 7018:

7018:

E7018 Electrode - Weldporn® – WELD EVERY DAMN DAY

E7018/E7018-1 is a low-hydrogen iron powder type electrode that produces high quality X-ray welds. It can be used in all positions on AC or DC reverse polarity welding current. E7018/E7018-1 is recommended for welding medium grade carbon steels where no preheat is used, and on cold rolled steels...

www.weldporn.com

ER70S-6 (SOLID STEEL MIG WIRE):

ER70S-6 (solid steel MIG wire) - Weldporn® – WELD EVERY DAMN DAY

ER70S-6 (copper colored wire) Weldporn® AWS Class ER70S-6 is a mild steel welding wire that contains higher levels of manganese and silicon than other standard grades of MIG wire to produce high quality welds when used on dirty, oily, or rusty steel. The high silicon content increases the...

www.weldporn.com

ESAB Dual Shield 710X Flux Core:

ESAB Dual Shield 710X E71T-1C-DH8/1M/E71T-9C-DH8/9M Gas Shielded Flux Core Carbon Steel Tubular Wire .045 33# Spool | Toll Gas & Welding Supply

245019252

store.tollgas.com

I've always used 7018 low hydrogen for important things, like building a surface up to be turned down. A oilfield engine place down the road uses a submerged arc wire welder to build up and turn down cranks. It looks prettier and much less time in building up, but I really care for machining that compared to 7018.

 

[MISWFL]

If you care about the quality of your welds and work, avoid flux core.

If you're fixing equipment out in the field and don't care what it looks like or how long it lasts, use flux core.

I could be wrong, but I remember a welding instructor saying something about flux core welds being almost impossible to pass inspection. This was like 20 years ago, so things might be different now.

 

[oldgeek]

If you care about the quality of your welds and work, avoid flux core.

If you're fixing equipment out in the field and don't care what it looks like or how long it lasts, use flux core.

I could be wrong, but I remember a welding instructor saying something about flux core welds being almost impossible to pass inspection. This was like 20 years ago, so things might be different now.

In the video I posted above, he shows a common mistake is the need to have a positive ground with flux core (negative ground was really messy, bad). The welds he did looked good, and penetrated good.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

So I ended up with these. New old stock. They wanted $700 and $750, but talked em down to $650 each if I bought both...and did.

Sketchy pawn shop lol, had some good stuff though.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

In the video I posted above, he shows a common mistake is the need to have a positive ground with flux core (negative ground was really messy, bad). The welds he did looked good, and penetrated good.

Theres usually instructions in the door flap on how to wire for flux core...and wire speed/ voltage settings....all the info terrible welders never knew existed.