Flux Core Welding vs. Solid Core Welding With Gas - Kevin Caron

[@NewWolf081]

Kevin, im 48 years old young new welder. I started with 220 volts arc last year and i bought a 140 mig Lincoln. I listened most of your videos and i learned a lot. I welding as hobby building small tools, chairs etc ... Thanks for all your good work with youtube and all the information you gave us. I appreciate a lot ! Im getting better :)

[@zombeast13]

i wish this guy was in my area.. I just started welding and he seems like a great teacher and has a great attitude!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Great time at the reception! Lots of people and sold one of my pieces!! Thanks for posting.

[@joebriggs9599]

Thanks Kevin you are helping me out big time. Just picked up my first welder 140 mig.

[@waldan1701]

Thanks Kevin, I bought a cheap harbor Freight flux core welder. Got all the tools I needed with auto darkening mask for less than $150. I have a small project I want to do and am trying to teach myself how to weld before I do it. I think it will be fine with a little practice.

[@ruuman]

that sculpture looks like it's taking shape nicely

[@marksmith849]

I will need to do some flux core welding soon with my everlast welder. Thanks for the rundown on how they are different.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for watching.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, same for both types of welding. Just more clean up with flux. Thanks for posting....

[@DavidTheCarpenter]

That was everything in minutes. Given the value of time I see why gas mig is the usual choice. Your art is as awesome as your skill set too!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thank you for watching and posting!

[@DavidTheCarpenter]

@@KevincaronSculpture You have taught me a very valuable lesson in welding. "Don't buy stuff I won't use." About 99% of my welding is outdoors. All maybe eight hours a month of it. So... TIG and MIG are not going to be as useful as stick AC/DC and FCAW for me. I was self taught with your videos and a few of your friends using a 1960's AC welder and 7018 rods that were probably almost that old. After a year of practice I finally got one to light and I was off. It's been easy street since then. Now I have a DC multi-process that won't be needing spool guns, TIG whatever and gas bottles.

[@TruthSeekerAi]

i use a ryobi cordless fan when using the flux core to blow the smoke away from me just some things to try. great video

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Great tip! Thanks for watching and posting.

[@MrRenoman2011]

Thanks Kevin great video. Rockland, Ontario, Canada

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Got to love the work "Helmet" does!!!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thanks for the tip about the resperator but what is think stuff?!

[@vargas545]

Great video. What is the right gas pressure setting for mig gas or is it a different pressures for different project. Thanks

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Unless you are dealing with thick metal, that's where stick shines in my opinion. But it is dirty and requires a lot of clean up. But stick works outdoors in the wind where MIG won't because of the shielding gas. So there are my thoughts, I guess I really need more information from you to give you a better answer.

[@longevitywelding]

Great video Kevin, hope the artist reception went well tonight at the university! Say hi to Mary!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Crap!! I knew I was supposed to mention something else.... Thank you for catching that one. Yes, flux core is DCEN (electrode negative), hook the gun to the machine ground and the ground clamp to the positive lead inside of the machine.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Not sure on the question.. If you are asking about the type of mix gas it is 75% argon 25% CO2. If you are asking about the setting on the regulator it was set to about 12 on the gauge..

[@danstemper9588]

another great video-question are the techniques the same for flux core welding as they are for mig?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

When you need a crane to hold the piece in place to get it welded you are working LARGE scale.. Thanks for posting.,.

[@1lineman4bea]

I've had some say not to use flux core on a truck frame " because it's not as hot as solid" what do you think?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Glad I can help. Always better to get a pat on the back instead of a kick in the butt!!

[@molleywood]

Kevin...I have welding in the A.M and it's late I am welding Flux core but it so hard to chip the slag ...is that normal? if not...why? because I'm welding by the book...

[@MRnounoursSQ]

Kevin to weld stainless I saw a video and they used flux cored and gas is it possible to use only flux cored ? and I really love your video really good explanation.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Not sure, have never tried flux cored on stainless.

[@MRnounoursSQ]

thank to have taken your time to answer me. i ask lincoln electric and this is the answer they gave me: If you use a stainless steel solid wire or flux core wire, you will require shielding gas. This is from my 25 years of experience in the welding industry. I do not know of a stainless steel "gas less" flux core product. It may be possible, but I do not think so and if it is it possible it is not readily available in Canada. Note that stick stainless steel welding electrodes are a solution....no gas necessary!

[@foad2u2]

Is the electrode negative for flux core and mig positive or does it make no diffirence

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Went to the powder coat place today. Going to be amazing!!!

[@chapstrm]

Thanks for the video. I have another question that what would be the difference btween FCAW and GMAW in terms of weaving style or techniques. are they all circular or they are somewhat different? thank you.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Just guessing here but maybe a little too cold. Up the amps a tad and see if that helps.

[@tidan1]

Are you supposed to change polarity when switching from flux core to solid core?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, unless your machine does it for you.

[@tidan1]

Thanks Kevin. What polarity should I be using with solid core?

[@sweetkellymay]

What ratio do you use for your gas....

[@brianwynn5081]

After all my criticism I have to say you did do a pretty good job in your video. :)

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You need a TIG for this type of work in my opinion. A MIG with solid core wire and gas would be my next choice.

[@ortegaortega966]

Can you weld that kind of fluxcore with gas too.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

There are some dual shield flux cores. I have never used one.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

More practice!!!!! We will work on that when you visit.

[@jtbmetaldesigns]

Kevin, that is exactly how I test my welds. I whack it on the table or with a hammer.

[@brmelectric]

hi Kevin. enjoyed your videos. i am in the market for a small first time mig fluxcore welder. i wish to weld no bigger than 1/8" but maybe 1/4" tops. fir little projects. i like the idea of 110v plyg in but have 230 in my garage. do you think the longevity is a decent purchase. Are parts available. Im in Ontario. cheers Bri.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I think the little Longevity machine is a great deal for the money. Sadly there are no parts for the machine here in the U.S. Maybe look at the Everlast 140 instead.

[@brmelectric]

Ok good point. Thankyou.

[@crash123789]

what would happen if you welded flux core wire with gas?

[@chanc9737]

here in san diego and thinking of going to the SDCE school for all four offered courses. any opinions kevin? I'm a commercial Diver already but i have 2 free years of tech school so im thinking of choosing this one./

[@chanc9737]

sdce.edu/job-training/welding

[@robotmotor]

always helpful information kevin if i will use i will use the solid core the flux core its like arc welding i like arc welding and the best part when you remove the slag and remove easily and you see your weld arc welding its esay but messy and you cant work in small workshop without fan to suck to fumes im working in tig welding now for more than week until now cant weld good :|

[@q3gun]

hmm, i has a hypotetic question. If i had vacuumed space , then would i not need gas in situations where you usually use gas, beacuse no extra air would get into contact with the weld spot ?

[@davidrichards8639]

Even in a vacuumed argon rich chamber they generally still use a shielding gas and nozzle to concentrate the arc - or at least Rolls Royce do on Aero parts.

[@alzahraniabdulrahman]

can i use Flux Core wire that came with welder E71T-GS with Argon 75% Co2 25% ? because i don't have Mild wire right now. i need to do some welding for my home purpose.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+A ab Use the flux core just don't bother with the gas.. it's not going to help with the flux core..

[@walterwilliams6545]

Thank you very much, your video was very informative and helpful to me personal. plus you seem like a great dude, keep on welding!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I run mine between 8 and 12 depending on the wind in the studio...

[@thegentilehunter]

one main question, is their much of a difference in strength between the two. will the slag get stuck inside the weld and cause it to fail. is mig welding with cheap machines any good for car body work?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

+kevin mauseth I don't believe there is much difference in strength between the two types of welding. But getting a good clean weld with flux core on a thin body panel is not easy! Go to a body shop and see what they use..

[@thegentilehunter]

i live in Australia, body shops here would just use bog or replace the whole panel. what i meant to ask is, if flux mig welding is OK for car frame work?

[@KevincaronSculpture]

If you have a strong enough machine. Enough amps to penetrate the thickness you are welding, it should be okay. But you should check to see if the frame is heat treated or tempered before you start welding on it... I am not a body man so I really can't answer this correctly...

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Well, easy to use, I would say a MIG with gas. Works on most metals, that's a TIG. As for my recommendations,,, it all depends on your budget. Miller welders have a very good reputation for long lasting but they are very expensive. I am not familiar with Lincoln welders so I can't comment on them at all. I have had good luck with Longevity welders but the consumables are hard to get aftermarket. Mig with gas is so much cleaner than stick that it is not even work considering using stick .

[@KevincaronSculpture]

That's all it takes.. Just more practice... When you can do an really good bead on the test piece you are almost there.... Thanks for posting....

[@KevincaronSculpture]

You are the first person to comment on that one....

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I would lean towards the combo unit myself. But I don't know anything about these machines.. Good luck..

[@9776danc]

Great video, thanks for posting!

[@CarsnStuff]

I know gas systems are superior in general. Personally for a budget and just to get the idea of how to even handle a mig welder i bought a cheap 140 dollar welder. and all my welding projects/repairs have been solid and sturdy. There was even a situation i had where my engine hoist start to bend once from taking out my cars engine ( cast iron inline 6 with transmission on it ) so i dropped the engine back in welded on a support brace and the thing never even flexed. Just a solid hold and worked wonders. From my little experience i've had over the passed year of playing with this welder id say its perfectly capable of welding a sturdy solid joint with out having any issues with integrity. It seems like people complain more about the look of the weld than the integrity of it. Also i have a question about what a weld would look like if you used a solid core aluminum spool in a gasless mig welder ?? Would it work at all ? I have one small flange i need welded but all the local shops here just do steel welding. So now im at the point where im considering spending the 16 or so dollars to buy a 1 pound spool of .30 aluminum mig wire and see how it turns out.

[@klentcampbell4516]

Makin sure it's clean with no dingle balls.. Haha Great video! Thank you!

[@PyroDood]

Just to let you know, if you do alot of flux core you should wear a resperator, the fumes are really bad for you. and flux core is mainly used for structural applications a.k.a think stuff, great video though.

[@mrPauljacob]

Haha your funny man. Good video once again. Cool sculptures. Thats basically what im striving for eventually. Keep doing ya thing man. Cheers from Texas.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes, flux is electrode negative and mig positive. and boy does it make a difference if you get them backwards!!!

[@ferfr01]

thanks for sharing man!!

[@DingDangg]

Thanks!

[@VisorBlue]

Nice, thanks.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

I agree! I am not a fan of flux core for anything important. I don't care for the stuff and don't use it.

[@CharlesStruble]

I agree that the gas makes a much cleaner weld. With flux core, for me, it's weld 5 minutes, grind 20 minutes, whereas, with the solid core and gas, it's weld 5 minutes, only grind 15 or so...these numbers reflect my ineptitude so your mileage may vary...Thanks, guys!

[@mustie1]

dont forget to change your ploarity,,

[@KevincaronSculpture]

If you weld with gas-less flux core you waste gas, You need the right type of flux core for gas and then you get a litle better weld than gas less flux core...

[@KevincaronSculpture]

If you weld with solid core you waste gas?!?!

[@topfun1980]

thank u

[@mustie1]

polarity

[@robotmotor]

soon my friend :)

[@FrustratedBaboon]

Nice Flux core = dingle balls. Sold = clean.

[@octoman_games]

IMO, Solid wire with 20/80 Ar CO2 mix is better. If you want good looking cosmetic beads, that's the way to go. You're better off stick welding than going flux core wire.

[@davidrichards8639]

The higher the argon content the better the cosmetic appearance but lower in mechanical properties, 95/5 gives the prettiest, smoothest & fastest welds but for better mechanicals 80/20 is the normal structural steel gas selection.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Yes you can but you can't use solid core in all mig welders...

[@KevincaronSculpture]

No difference! Same motion for either types of welding.

[@ifell3]

sorry but doesn't flux core make it's own gas so you dont have to run your gas.

[@KevincaronSculpture]

2 different types of flux core.. Gasless and dual shield. One needs gas and the other doesn't ..

[@ifell3]

Oh I thought all flux was gas less

[@Gavreeli]

You're right. There is self shielding Flux core and gas shielded. There is always a gas, but one comes from the Flux and the other from a cylinder.

[@PyroDood]

Thick stuff as in thick metal 3/8 inch - 1 inch. Its alot hotter then mig solid wire.

[@brianwynn5081]

Stick is better than Flux welding and Solid core is better than both and they are all arc welding technically because they all need arcs and Solid core is cheaper than Flux and Electrodes are cheaper than all of them.25/75 is a joke straight Argon is better and cheaper. You should probably get a bigger welding machine because yours are rather small, because you can always turn a big machine down and most little machines have a pathetic duty cycle on high amps and most large machines e.g. 400 amps have 100% duty cycle at 400 amps. Another piece of advice is you want to improve the duty cycle (make it weld for longer at high amps) install some pc fans because if you keep the temperature down in the welder the temp sensor will not be triggered therefore being able to weld for longer.

[@octoman_games]

its not that pathetic, hes runnin a miller 215, not bad

[@brianwynn5081]

It's not pathetic but it's probably not the best for what he does because he should get a welder that has 100% duty cycle

[@brianwynn5081]

After all my criticism I must say it was a good video and your welder is based on what you require and what u need so I will end this conversation here

[@davidrichards8639]

Brian, If I was you I would stick to commenting about something you know about as obviously welding is not one of them.

[@brianwynn5081]

I KNOW MORE ABOUT WELDING THEN YOU EVER WILL

[@crainpd]

"Hair by Helmet" !!!!

[@ChiNguyen-wf1qt]

You know what you doing????

[@KevincaronSculpture]

Up for debate!