#1 Mistake Made When Flux Core Welding (one simple Trick)

[@saaaaauce]

Noob here, and this might be the most useful video on welding I've run into. Thanks!

[@JTwelder.]

Thanks man!

[@Kurnacopia]

Outstanding video.....my whole time i've been welding i've had spatter everywhere....I was about to give up till I saw this. Thank you!

[@JTwelder.]

No problem glad I could help!

[@lestergillis8171]

​@@JTwelder.FYI:The splatter you are referring to are called-"BOOGERS"!

[@lestergillis8171]

​@@JTwelder."If you use slag, then DRAG".

[@poncethegayboi]

Dual shield

[@lancerobbinssr4546]

Got myself a Flux core welder trying to teach myself how to weld. And I thought I was a idiot who could never learn how. All disgusted Until I saw your video. Thank you for raising my WELDING I.Q. WITH KNOWLEDGE WORTH KNOWING. I HAVE A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE BECAUSE IM MOT A IDIOT WHEN IT COMES TO WELDING. IM STILL A IDIOT BUT I CAN NOW WELD! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

[@soulsharts]

I just started college this last week for a welding certificate knowing basically nothing about welding, but when you talked about straight and reverse polarity, I knew exactly what you were talking about because we're currently learning the basics. Straight polarity= Direct Current Electrode negative (current flows from electrode to work, transferring 70% of the heat on the work), Reverse polarity= Direct Current Electrode Positive (current flows from grounded work to electrode, transferring 70% of the heat produced to the electrode) and Alternating Current spreads the heat 50/50 towards electrode and work.

[@0727076740]

Great job now I knw

[@user-xc7mt8iq7d]

bougt just mma cried nicely.

[@lakerdigital]

I have to write this down.

[@andrewallason4530]

Great video. Simple, easy to follow advice. I bought a MIG unit from a local, supposedly reputable specialist welding supplier about 10 years ago. It was a ‘special deal’, allegedly for our state agricultural show. Turned out, they were dumping the units as they were having major issues getting all the products from the manufacturer to operate correctly. After a few months of horrible welding, blaming myself, a mate (much more experienced than me) tried to use it, and had the same issues ( dirty, splattery, horrible weld lines, that took ages to grind, and major pitting necessitating rewelding / over-welding (?), incomplete or weak welds, machine would run for about 10 minutes then need 1/2 hour to cool down etc). I took the unit back for a ‘service’, and they sent it back with the wrong setting on the ‘drive-wheel’ for the wire that was on it. Eventually, I disassembled the machine. I found the cooling fan (generic ‘computer’ type) was rubbing on another component, so i rescrewed it onto the steel case. I then reset the incorrect settings that they had done. It now works flawlessly, and will easily weld for longer than I can. Took it back to the company, showed them what I did, and made the professionals a bit embarrassed. They gave me a bunch of new swag, including fancy switching- magnetic clamps. Sometimes it takes a new ‘inexperienced’ eye on a problem to pick out the issues.

[@bjaminf113]

Agreed!!

[@ganjalfcreamcorn8438]

you probably had the polarity reversed.

[@andrewallason4530]

@@ganjalfcreamcorn8438 no. They had installed the wrong drive wheel for the supplied wire type, as well as incorrectly assembling the whole shebang causing the cooling fan to be pushed against the case, so as to not be able to turn. The polarity was the ONLY thing they had correct.

[@ganjalfcreamcorn8438]

Well that's cool you got it up and running again. Or for the first time I guess haha. What brand is it?

[@andrewallason4530]

@@ganjalfcreamcorn8438 it is a WeldMaster, and it’s still working 10 years or so later.

[@FeatherHorseforge]

Learnt more in the last 12 minutes than I’ve ever been taught about welding🙂 thanks cobba

[@fredfrontino3706]

I've been welding off and on over 40 years. I never knew about this. I normally run gas, but I do have a couple of rolls of Flux core if I have to welding outside and there is too much wind. Now I'll know to make that change, and my welds will actually look good. Thanks for this very useful tip.

[@JTwelder.]

Glad I could help!

[@QuestClaimer]

your straightforwardness is extremely refreshing

[@JTwelder.]

Glad it helped!

[@PhotoBobBarker]

This is one of the things that really impressed me with the HF Vulkin Omnipro220. The manual is VERY in-depth and actually covers this and WHY it is.

[@leebdj1949]

This is probably one of the best videos for anyone to watch that buys a box store welder to use around their garage. Without this simple tip, at the beginning of learning, it saves an immense amount of frustration, and disappointment. So glad I found this video. We have the exact welder at work for doing minor repairs etc, and it acts that way. Have to put feed higher, and keep turning the welder down to not burn the wire to the tip, and jumps back and forth, hard to keep straight. Sounds like it’s the exact problem. Awesome man!

[@victoroneill7924]

This makes sense since DC current always flows from negative to positive. The instructions for my welder tells you to reverse the cables when welding with flux core wire.

[@ThomasMcGee-s9m]

Now I know why the Small Lincoln single-phase 110 volt welders we had at our old shop were horrible to work with. Thanks brother! Appreciate your video! Great information! I mig weld now with a Snap-On mig with gas and non flux wire. Wow! What a difference! 👍

[@gusalmighty5098]

I have an older version of the same Lincoln you are using. I can smear some wire on two pieces of metal and make them stick together but I would never call myself a "welder". A lot of our stick welders where I work have a polarity switch right on the front so I knew that there was a purpose for reversing polarity but never new why. The funny thing is.....I have asked about it and none of the career "welders" at work could tell me why you would ever use it 😂 This will go a long way toward improving my results. Thank you!

[@zapa1pnt]

Jake, thank you. This is the best demonstration I have seen, of the difference made by changing polarity. I have been viewing (for the past year) many videos, on modding a flux core machine to DC.This shows the potential, of staying AC. 😁🖖✌

[@liammurphy4383]

Great suggestion!....Just switched the polarity on my wire feed that i run on 220, it is like night and day, so much less spatter, and it cleans up super easy, Thanks for the tip

[@JTwelder.]

Right on!

[@kenday7942]

OMG!! I have been running flux core on my Lincoln with wrong polarity all this time. No wonder I have been getting the results I get! (It ain’t pretty!!). Thanks SO much. I can’t wait to try out proper polarity. Thank you!!!

[@delightonphotography487]

that was the best advice i ever had for welding. i had to take the entire cover off because my power was not in the same place but it was worth it for a better weld. thank you so much

[@logannagy1613]

Thank you for the lesson! My wife bought me a new Lincoln 90i it can run both MiG and Flux Core and I have been fighting it trying to clean up my welds and make it look presentable! Now I know to try this and will be practicing it tomorrow in the shop! Appreciate you!

[@JTwelder.]

Nice! Glad I could help!

[@jamesprice1549]

Most important welding video I have ever watched. Home Hobbyist and with a 12 year old Mig that has caused me nothing but heartache.

[@melvincoleman8008]

WHY is nobody else talking about this? This is a life changing video. Thanks !!!!!

[@therealsparkman]

I consider myself a weekend warrior and a self taught welder. I purchased a Lincoln 140C welder similar to yours, but instead of my amp settings being fixed to only five or six settings, I can actually fine tune the amperage with the dial. Picked it up in an estate sale for $350 and never used. A smoking deal considering the cost of this model new. At any rate, I, like everyone else made the assumption that the units were sent from the factory for the proper setting for flux core. And now you are proving that wrong. Good on you for bringing this to our attention. I thought that my welds weren't getting any better as shown in your example. I will reverse my leads the next time I have a small job and see if my work is any better. Great video! Cheers from Ontario.

[@steveo1006]

Stumbled on this video and was excited. Not a “welder” but did a year, at night, at local tech school and have TIG, stick and gas MIG in my shop. Needed remote operation at my farm and bought a HF 110v flux core machine. It was ugly but it worked. Recently helping weld on a bush hog and using the 120 machine and yea…messy. Saw this video and at 1115pm went out to my shop to see. HF 100v flux core welder is not switchable. It is all hard wired in and I’m not a sparky. Damn! Still great video and I plan to share this with my buddy who was my welding instructor.

[@brysonalden5414]

I've been trying to learn with an HF flux core welder and my results are exactly like your first test. I'm going to go check the leads and reverse them if needed, and maybe, just maybe I will finally get a weld that will hold. Thanks!

[@JTwelder.]

Yeah hopefully it that's your problem! It's a night and day difference you'll know if it worked.

[@brysonalden5414]

@@JTwelder. if only the guts of the HF were marked + and -!

[@JTwelder.]

@@brysonalden5414 yeah on cheaper models they probably don't bother with labeling that. Also Hobart makes probably the best flux core wire.

[@brysonalden5414]

@@JTwelder. Turns out, in my case, it was user error. I increased the feed rate, slowed down, and I'm starting to get decent welds. Thanks for your support!

[@kennethc8182]

​@@brysonalden5414Label once you figure it out.

[@williamlindsay6502]

after fighting flux for years,this is the answer for all flux problems,i am welding 22ga with very little problems. hubba hubba.

[@mattwarrensocal]

What wire size you like?

[@Christopherbever]

That was one of the best explanations of polarity iv come across. Thank you

[@Billy-gl7im]

DUDE, for the last few months i was learning to weld and bro my welds were good but there was so much spatter and super inconsistent. Nlt kidding after one hour of swapping pos and neg i got some pro welds and im finally ready to weld my whole flatbed and not be ashamed of my welds! 🙏🙏🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@bryangardner2365]

I’ve been struggling with wire core for years, I will try reversing the leads in the morning. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@scottcampbell9078]

Thanks for doing this video. I bought a used Lincoln mig a couple years ago. I recently ran out of gas and installed flux core. I switched the polarity, but got the crap welds you showed. I just went & checked, and the polarity was wrong. Guess I've been running mig wrong, too.

[@matthewmiller6068]

Haven't tried it yet...but this really makes me curious to try both ways to better understand it myself. I have seen SO MANY videos on KZbin researching where flux core is spraying a mess everywhere and only a couple that look clean at all.

[@JTwelder.]

@@matthewmiller6068 try both ways is a great idea to get an understanding of the difference and see in real time how much better the wire reacts when using the right polarity.

[@skitzdaniel3314]

Thank you for a great example of setting up and explaining setup for flux core. I am fairly new to welding and I heard about + ground for flux core, but hard to find a good explanation of it as you have given. I do make good welds with flux core. I like flux core over gas, over the cost of gas. Have no problem brushing the flux off the weld. I just upgraded to a Vevor 250 mig which allows easy switch to (+) ground.

[@frankbenner8499]

I’ve recently been learning to weld and despite all the videos I’ve watched (and it’s a LOT!) I was frustrated by the spatter issue and porosity of flux core. I’m going to try changing polarity as you showed, and nobody else I’ve watched has mentioned. Thanks for this video, I’m really looking forward to trying this out!🤞🏼

[@jon4915]

This only works on more expensive flux core migs w/ a DC power supply, like his. That welder's over $600 The cheaper ones are AC and it won't make a difference. And that's why the cheap ones suck. Flux core itself is fine.

[@frankbenner8499]

Thanx for that info, my wire welder is AC only, and cheap lol. Maybe I should upgrade?

[@jon4915]

@@frankbenner8499 Yes. If I were to stick with flux core, I'd get the titanium from harbor freight. it has a dc power supply. much less spatter. use good wire also, the lincoln electric flux core is the best one. hardens quickly, a good thing if you are doing thin stuff like body panels

[@jon4915]

the next step up is a mig w/ dc inverter. w/ the cheap ac transformer ones, the power fluctuates a lot and doesnt give you a smooth weld pool

[@GannDolph]

@@frankbenner8499if you are comfortable tinkering, you could buy a ~ 400 amp bridge rectifier module (haa s built in aluminum heatsink). They are pretty cheap online. run the 2 welder AC output lines into it , and feed its DC output lines in the polarity of your choice. .

[@tomfaltash9634]

A few years ago I purchased a Lincoln welder 240 . In the instructions it said “ if using flux core, reverse the polarity for optimal performance “. I just did and my welder has always worked amazing. Thought you still do get a bit of spatter , however common with flux core.

[@tomfaltash9634]

Don’t ever buy Chinese wire or rod to weld

[@allthecodys501]

We're cooking with flux now! Thank you, I was getting depressed. Im a novice but I knew I wasnt that bad

[@MrStaybrown]

Thanks. My mig was set up wrong on my 1st exhaust job. It was splattered and ugly. Flipped polarity and my 2nd exhaust job is nice.

[@lunarrn]

Thanks for the tip. I’ve been running Blue Demon flux core wire positive ground with great results.

[@duanefarland9988]

Great video, I’m a complete novice at this stuff and your explanation makes perfect sense. Thanks

[@Myrrapen]

Great info! Thank you for wearing correct PPE and demonstrating proper set up!

[@markmeadows6401]

Good job on this video, Kid.Proud of you

[@SouleymaneHaydara]

Brother!!! Brotherrrrr!! THANK YOUUU! I was going crazy over here trying to figure out what was wrong. You saved me a lot of money!

[@137whoa]

I watched this video this morning and it prompted me to check my recently purchased Harbor Freight Titanium 110vac solid wire machine. I had to remove a side panel to check. The Titanium came already set up as positive ground. Posting so that others will know.

[@stevop80_45]

Recently picked up a cheap 110v flux core welder, that is not able to be set up to run with gas. I bet it is also wired up like the gas version welders. I'll check the polarity next time I go to use it. Thanks for the tip!

[@sed6]

5:05 Great tip! Mine however is set correctly which means there's no quick fix for my crappy welding skills....😢

[@JTwelder.]

Try using a higher quality wire like Hobart or ESAB.

[@nicholash8021]

I did my first weld today with a Titanium 200 and .30 flux wire, clean up the metal before I started, set the polarity correctly for flux core, used the suggested settings for the material I'm welding, and I had 10x more beads and even burn through. Once you get them, I learned you can't go over it because you can't get between the beads to clean the slag, so you just make it worse.

[@reloadnorth7722]

I have an Italian DECA welder (Decastar 150E) I bought from Princess Auto almost 30 years ago. This unit is second to none for flux core. I have a Lincoln mig-pak 180 for Gas welding.

[@KGB5910]

I was just having this exact problem so I went straight to KZbin. You saved the day Sir 💪

[@BrucePierson]

Here in Australia I have a 240V 100A flux core welder which I run on a 10A circuit. It must be set up correctly, because my welds look your second weld, not the first mess. I can get a few different brands of wire, but I think I prefer the Renegade wire over the Bosweld wire, although the Bosweld wire is still good.

[@todd1748]

same here mate. i use bossweld 100a gasless mig. pretty sure you cant change polarity if you wanted to

[@wigidy12]

Cant wait to try this on my chicago electric cheapo. Been welding with stick for many years, but couldn't get a decent looking weld for nothing. Thanks!

[@MrAdam-ry2rh]

Great info, I will say, I just picked up a new Titan 125 from Harber Freight (cheap as hell I know), and took it apart to check... From what I can tell they actually have the clamp wire hooked up to the positive side. Granted, it's "self inverted" or whatever, so it's not the same set up and connections as a proper Lincoln, but the clamp wire is connected to the transformer, and there is a seperate smaller red wire that runs to the board, and is labelled V+ . So that's good. Still splatters some, but not as bad as other machines I've used (that probably weren't set up correctly). Suppose I just need to dial in my wire speed.

[@andylong2239]

The Titanium 125 comes set correctly for flux core(I set mine up to weld stainless also by adding quick connects on my cables and changing wire) My first Forney did not and I had to change it. It welded much better afterwards.

[@paulmanhart4481]

Thanks. I’ll give this a try. I’ve had a hell of a time with my Eastwood MIG welder using flux core. Paul

[@etarepsedllits48]

I bought the cheap Lidle "Parkside" welder, and I thought it welded really well, with little splatter. i've just checked it, and it was +;ve earth out of the box! Happy days!

[@Babylonbadders]

I've got a HITBOX multi-purpose welder, just switched the contacts around, and sure enough, much less splatter and way easier to get nice looking welds. Cheers!

[@Beek88]

Finally a video I can understand.

[@Joel-ki9my]

Im going out to check my welder now after this video. I bet I've been welding with it the wrong way this whole time.thanks for the information

[@robertblackshear8963]

Good demonstration. Fluxcore is the wire version of stick welding and extremely strong.

[@19cruella82]

Thanks man. Doing body work on my c10. I will be changing the leads this weekend. Still in the learning curve.

[@JTwelder.]

Awesome man!

[@northpoint1039]

Im really impressed here. Thank you big time for explaining what others tend not to do. I am thinking of getting into welding just as a DIY'er and I was really wondering about the power source for a 120v welder. Im wondering if you turn up the power on one of those 120v welders could you (or have you ever) blown the 20 amp breaker? You did a really good job explaining everything else and you have a great speaking voice. Kudos to you!! If I do decide to get into it I will burn what you said into my old brain :)

[@JTwelder.]

Yep I have blown the 20 amp breaker before. If your just welding sheet metal or bodywork a 120v welder will work but if your doing a lot of welding on 1/4” material and thicker that a 220v machine is definitely the way to go.

[@joesmith1067]

Been welding 25 years. But just recently picked up hobo fraight 120v flux core welder and if this works I be vary happy cause it makes the ugliest welds. Thanks. I was probibly not listening that day 25 years ago in welding class. Lol

[@melvincarrera9691]

Did it work for you? I'm about to buy the same welder!

[@joesmith1067]

My welder is not easily changed with my luck Ill burn it down. The ends don't bolt on like in the video.

[@melvincarrera9691]

What a bad luck! Anyway I'm going to buy the machine, as I only want it to do my little projects at home, I'm new to this I think that this machine is good to start with!

[@joesmith1067]

Find Hobart wire you'll be fine don't buy the valcan it is junk.

[@robertcromwell9736]

Harbor Freight's Titanium Easy-Flux 125 Amp Welder is a DC-based inverter welder that uses direct current electrode negative (DCEN) polarity for flux-cored welding:

[@JTwelder.]

@@robertcromwell9736 Yep, any time you’re welding with shelf-shielded flux core you need to be DCEN that rule applies to any machine. Apparently those titanium one are good little units.

[@ShredRMK824]

Great video your a good teacher. If my Lincoln 100 welder is setup correctly for Flux core and it still spatters is my current too high. I'm using new Lincoln 035 wirr and the settings inside the cover B/1.5?

[@sergiocantoli5783]

Cool! In retribution to your lesson I subscribed to you channel.

[@royalknight4742]

My harbor freight titanium, 125 came set up correctly with the clamp positive!! Suprised me forsure!!!

[@JTwelder.]

Nice! I’ve been hearing that the titanium welders are very decent for the price.

[@halduntihan]

Awesome! Thank you, although my wire still splatters, it’s is significantly less. Thank you!

[@JTwelder.]

A bit of splatter is normal for self shielded flux core.

[@jvogler_art4708]

I’m thinking of doing a little automotive welding on my off-roader. Skid plates and sliders and such. Is it worth investing in a mig welder or will a harbor freight flux core get the job done? Harbor freight also sells a combo mig and flux for 379. Thinking of getting that, but they also sell a flux core only for way cheaper… not sure where to start. By the way I have taken mig and TIG welding classes and was even certified at one point though only shortly worked professionally as a welder. It didn’t work out at the company I worked at and I got another job in a different trade.

[@JTwelder.]

For skid plates and off road stuff you’re going to be using 1/8-3/8” thick steel and doing a lot of welds. I would recommend going up to a 220v mig machine. A 120v/ standard house plug machine probably isn’t going to cut it. I would recommend the arc captain mig200. They just sent me one and I’m going to be doing a few videos with it. It’s a dual 120/220 voltage machine so you can run it of both size circuits and you can run gasless flux core on it as well and get really good results! Stay tuned to my channel and you’ll see it in action.

[@jvogler_art4708]

@@JTwelder.ty for the info. That machine is around the same price too. I live in an apt but my dads house nearby has a 220 installed for his air compressor in the garage. So i will probably be able to use that machine. I will sub cause I’m curious to see the machine in action.

[@JTwelder.]

@@jvogler_art4708 thanks for the sub! I’m going to be doing a whole 120v vs 220v welding machine video and it will most likely have all the information you will need.

[@pingpong9656]

I want to get a basic welder - mostly for extracting rusted bolts in engine blocks, frames etc... Which the most economical and effective setup?

[@Nightmare944]

My MIG PAK 140 machine from Canadian tire did not come setup and it did come with clear intructions for setup on DCEP - Direct Current Electrode Positive (MIG) and DCEN - Direct Current Electrode Negative (Flux core) so I think most people need to spend time and read the instructions. There's a lot of videos about setting up this type of machine from new and they all speak about setting it up correctly for Flux.

[@JTwelder.]

Yeah exactly! I just filmed a new video actually talking about how the Lincoln 140 does not have good instructions how to switch the polarity

[@Nightmare944]

@@JTwelder. You think you could do a video on a bunch of different weld types on the 140 on different thicknesses of metal and speak about the settings you use? I know the inside flap gives a baseline for voltage and wire speed but I find I need to tweak them slightly if doing an open corner weld vs a butt or lap weld since welding the edge of a piece gets hotter. Only thing I don't like about the MIG PAK 140 is that the voltage settings are 4 position only, it would be nice if you could vary it between the A B C D setting. Currently just running flux for now as the bottle of gas is a bit pricey and I'm just doing some basic hobby type welding at the moment

[@jeffreyjbyron]

For the modern flux core-only welders (like those cute little Harbor Freight ones), does this still apply? I would assume that the polarity in these is hard to swap, unlike the Lincoln 140s where it's all accessible. But wouldn't a flux-only tool get t right from the factory?

[@JTwelder.]

The harbour freight ones are set up correctly. I’ve only seen old no name Ali express/ Amazon flux welders be set up wrong from the factory but nothing that’s actually sold in a store.

[@jbusa6630]

My Hobart mig welder says this in the instructions and under the hood. It's pretty hard to miss

[@deathonawhitehorse]

In the UK we have mainly Super 6 both rods and flux core mig wire, not a great deal of choice really, but I find that I can weld pretty good with either, it's the 'make the best of what you've got' approach over here.

[@JTwelder.]

Wow. Over here in Canada we have rod and wire from all over the world readily available.

[@jeremytodd4906]

So do we! There are hundreds of welding shops in the UK that sell decent quality consumables, DIY shops usually only stock cheap no name stuff, look for a welding supply or shop online.

[@georgebonney90]

If you buy a Hobart handler 140 its set up properly,from the factory, for flux core.

[@ThisIsToolman]

Excellent demo.

[@wallacefrey6247]

This tip was a BIG help, thanks.

[@ArslanSultanov-c7t]

That was amazing! Thanks my man lol. Building a custom shifter and this will now save me...

[@evasesh6585]

I had to double check my Harbor Freight Titanium Fluxcore 110, from the factory they have it set up properly. At least mine was.

[@nathanmiller9956]

When welding with flux core try running your ground clamp on positive and your torch negative (straight polarity). Should reduce a lot of the spatter.

[@mericksedlacek3651]

Thank you so much bro i just got this same exact welder helped alot to make surr what im doing

[@JTwelder.]

Glad I could help!

[@daveross7]

I'm a self taught stick welder who's got hold of a MIG welder and how much easier is this, it had flux core wire and was set up wrong and since i found your video I'm now welding like a pro, just joking but my welds are 200% better. Thanks mate.

[@AZsmoothrider]

Yep this makes a huge difference. BTW, fluxcore Yeswelders come set up as Positive ground.

[@JTwelder.]

How do you like the yes welder flux core machine? I have one of their older AC tig 250p machines and I absolutely hate it.

[@AZsmoothrider]

@@JTwelder. My primary machine is 220v Tweco/ThermalArc 181i w gas, so not alot to compare to. But for 110v portability I did have the HF Vulcan Easy flux 125 and thought it was decent accept for its short ass leads and pathetic ground clamp. Once it died I got the yeswelder 135 for $40 less, better leads, more power, duty cycle, cleaner arc. Yeah, it smokes the HF unit and has welded 2x or 3x the wire so far. Also has display and carry handle. No brainer.

[@carlsapartments8931]

I watched a video of a welder rating 5 or 6 different brands of FC wire and as I recall Lincoln scored on the low end and Hyanede scored on the high end, I don't remember all the brands he tested.

[@russellsappliance2550]

I've got that same welder run 20 amp breaker and low gauge extension

[@maravillosonene99]

I will try this tomorrow I just bought a flux gasless yesterdayand I was practicing last night and I was so disappointed and I thought it was me I had spatter everywhere and no penetration, I really hope I see changes tomorrow thanks!

[@comingtofull-ageinchrist6736]

You can reduce some of the splatter by turning the heat or amperes up and the wire feed down!

[@dougnorton5143]

Thanks for the post. My welds look like your first past and I thought it was me just being out of practice. I used to be fairly decent for a part time welder. Just small projects, nothing elaborate or critical.

[@JTwelder.]

Glad to help

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Bloomin brilliant. I will be swapping my polarity n my flux core 👍🏻

[@luisromo5888]

In the specs sheets for this wire they indicate the polarity.

[@JTwelder.]

Yep it's in there but most people won't even bother to look at that and they'll just start welding on the wrong polarity.

[@samyish]

What an incredible difference! Thank you for sharing!

[@JTwelder.]

Glad it helped!

[@JustForFun-nd2wk]

Thank you this helps a lot I will be switching my leads

[@andrewrobinson2869]

I have a sca mig welder unfortunately after opening it up to transfer the wire I noticed they have hard wired so it’s not like yours where you can just undo a lock nut. Can I cut the wires then either solder together but they might get hot or buy 2 joiners that I could use, any advice is appreciated, I live on a disability pension so I can’t afford a better welder , I also live in Australia so it’s 240 v. Cheers Andy.

[@mikehenry4743]

I remember setting up my Weldpack 175 and it outlined this in the manual.

[@JTwelder.]

Yep every instruction manual will tell you this and even the settings chart inside the door on machines will tell you this. The problem is 95% of people won’t read the manual and some brands do a horrible job of explaining it to the point where a non welder would not understand.

[@Turco949]

Another noob here and this was quite an eye-opener. Thanks for sharing. What are your thoughts on using anti-spatter sprays?

[@JTwelder.]

They’re good! Walter makes some really good ones if you want the best.

[@williamgarrity9482]

After I got out of the hospital, I remember to unplug the electricity to my welder before I changed the electric polaritys God bless yall real good.

[@williamemerson1799]

1. A 20 amp circuit IS a normal household circuit. 2. The easiest/best way to know if your welder is set up for solid or flux core wire, if it is indeed a dual purpose, solid and flux core welder, is to look on the inside of the lid where the amp settings and the wire speed is listed, at least it is on my Lincoln SP100. The correct polarity is shown on a really easy to understand chart.

[@JTwelder.]

1. The most common amperage amperage for a household circuit in North America is 15 amps. Yes some people will have 20 amp circuits already but most wont. 2. Most people that have zero experience in welding don't even look at the chart or they do but still don't understand it. Having someone like me explain it on video really helps a lot of people figure it out.

[@williamemerson1799]

@@JTwelder. 1.I wired homes for a while and I can assure you that 20 amp circuits are common. 2.If people aren't smart enough to follow instructions, they probably shouldn't be fooling around with welding machines.

[@JTwelder.]

@@williamemerson1799 you might of wired homes in a area where 20 amp circuits was the standard but with a quick google search you will find out that 15 amp is more common, home depot.com states this right on their website. This video has almost 100k views and there are a bunch of comments of people who didn't know this tip and have no applied it to their welder So I think it's been helpful. Just because you have a strong opinion about something doesn't make it right bud

[@williamemerson1799]

@@JTwelder. I don't need to search Google or anywhere else because I worked in the field. My point was that many if not most houses have 20 amp circuits. Guess that went over your head. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings there cupcake......er, BUD.👍🍻

[@ST-0311]

@@williamemerson1799 It's extremely common to find houses with mostly 15 amp circuits in the US, so it's definitely worth mentioning in a video like this. My house was built in the 1980's, and except for designated appliances every circuit is 14/2 on 15 amp breakers. Most of the houses in the neighborhood were built by the same builder, and are wired exactly the same way. I have run dedicated 12/2 on 20 amp breakers to my work room for exactly this reason. Also, the 12 ga. for the extension cord was also a good tip..

[@johndoe43]

Good video. People need to read the book

[@MrLightingstar]

Thanks for teach us buddy 😊👍🏻

[@Surfbeagle381]

I am just beginning my welding journey and I have a flux core and I’m trying to get it figured I have more in depth questions if you’re interested

[@clb62381]

Great video was wondering y my cheap harbor freight welder wouldn't weld right thanks keep up the videos

[@MaxenceGross]

Thanks for the tip. In my gasless fluxcore post, I can’t tell the polarity of the connexions, it doesn’t say + or -. How can I tell? Do you know?

[@SamuelAkowe]

Thank you so much.. chief.

[@Crazy5150760]

i bought the cheapest titanium flux core welder from harbor freight and mine was set up properly. maybe the Chicago electric is set up with negative ground but mine is positive ground

[@pjhorn5307]

Do you know if the titanium flux 125 from harbor freight need this done? And if so do you know how to check? From the factory the gun cable is connected to the main electrical board in the machine. The cable connections are labeled + or -

[@andylong2239]

It's already correct on the Titanium 125. I added quick connect cables and change my polarity to run stainless flux core wire to weld stainless with it.

[@KrustyPickles]

I have a Lincoln Weld Pak HD gasless flux welder I just opened it up to see if I could do this and it's basically impossible with mine because mine doesn't just have to swappable Electric leads. The ground is bolted to some Square board of some kind and I can't even see where the lead from the gun goes because it comes in on the opposite side of the machine behind all the electronic equipment that's inside. However there is a electrical diagram on the inside cover and it does show that my gun does come factory wired on the negative side and the ground does come factory wired on the positive side. On a side note one thing that has helped me tremendously being a beginner is I swapped out the little plier style clamp for the ground with a bolt on magnet. Using a magnet to attach the ground was like night and day difference from having a clamp style ground

[@markyoungoutdoors2497]

Is your Lincoln the little one? WELD-PAK 90i FC? I’m trying to see if anyone has switched theirs yet. Wiring is more complicated than his example.