Fix Your Flux Core Setup: The Complete Guide to Setting Up a MIG Welder for Gasless Flux Core

There is some nuance to it. Nearly all MIG welders can run self-shielded Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) without shielding gas. Here's a guide to setting it up the right way!
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Welding and metalwork can be dangerous. While I try to set an example of safety, these videos are for entertainment and general education and do not provide all the information you may need to work safely. Tim and TimWelds LLC assume no responsibility for the outcome of anything you choose to do. This description contains affiliate links which provide a small commission on sales at no cost to you.

[@jerryleejohnsonjr1377]

This is hands down the best channel for the beginner, thanks Tim!

[@TimWelds]

Wow! Thank you!

[@beeftimer]

I really like how you show how to use your mig tool simply by doing/showing as opposed to spending unnecessary time talking about it with a bunch of superfluous information. Showing is plenty straight forward enough, so thanks for that.

[@tomgorden3762]

Very informative thanks

[@joshuacaylor881]

You are a blessing to the welding community. Thank you, Tim!

[@ebinmaine]

Tim, thanks very much for taking the time to record and post your videos. Several years ago I picked up an old Lincoln tombstone welder and got myself to a point where I could stick two pieces of metal together. Just recently I've decided to simplify my life and go to a flux core welder for smaller work. Your channel has been instrumental in both of my learning curves and I greatly appreciate that.

[@reloadnorth7722]

I use a 25 year old Deca mig welder (from Italy) for flux core, and my 2 year old Lincoln mig pak 180 for mig

[@deangarner4]

This one. Out of all I've watched, is the one that will get me welding. Thank you, sir

[@miszced]

Thank you for using the more proper term "selfshielding" vs gasless. Oddly enough gasses are produced once the flux core ingredients are decomposed through the weld arc, just like stick electrodes. You handled instructions of feeding of the wire through the drive rolls, cable & gun assembly well! Just a point of interest (maybe to speed setup) Is not to remove the contact tip but straighten the wire with your fingers for 3 to 5" to remove the inherent cast just before insertion into the drive rolls. Most contact tips are countersinked for the wire to find a tapered entrence into the tip. If the wire gets hung up you'll have to remove the contact tip to feed the wire manually. The two small diameter selfshielding fcaw mentioned : 1) T-11 are single pass round about 2) T-GS are general single pass

[@colinleslie2458]

Thanks Tim! I'm just getting started with welding and I've been watching a lot of your videos for the last couple weeks. I think I'll probably pull the trigger on one of your courses pretty soon here but I'm super excited about this upcoming series of flux core videos as that's what I'm starting out with.

[@g.tucker8682]

Great explanations of both 'how' and 'why' with absolute clarity. As usual! Thanks, Tim

[@joedyeranch1]

Tim, thank you so much for these incredibly informative videos. I used to weld a lot when I was younger and have been away from it for some 25 yrs. Your videos help tremendously with me reintroducing myself back into the game. Really like your no nonsense approach. . Keep up the good work

[@lasersbee]

1:45....I get a weird distracting feeling watching you NOT look into the camera when you talk. It's like you're talking to the guy sitting to the left of me.

[@TimWelds]

Yeah, I noticed that right when I started editing. Not sure if I was looking at the monitor, which I'm usually good about at this point, or if my lens got knocked out of cal. Rather than reshooting it or saving the footage for halloween, I figured I'd ship it.

[@BigFarm_ah365]

​@@TimWeldsDIY Perks channel has a video building a web cam into the center of a monitor so you get perfect eye contact in video chat. Its all done with mirrors.

[@Dr.CandanEsin]

You never miss the most convenient detail during your presentation. I learnt a lot. Thank you!

[@RogierYou]

Thanks for the lesson! Tip look at the lens not the display 😊

[@jackdawg4579]

I bought an elcheapo flux core mig welder and it is honestly a mighty little machine. I hardly touch my arc welder these days.

[@amalababu91]

Good learning experience Thanks ✅👍✨

[@Weldingblitar]

keeja yang sangat sempurna❤

[@philh9238]

Maybe that’s the issue with I’m having I got a mig welder from my dad it has a plastic as you called gasless nozzle on it not the metal one. Will that have an effect of mig welding?? I know the welder I use at the garage I work my welds look close to your but the one at the house is like poop. Yes the polarity is correct. Maybe it’s the nozzle

[@beccacciahunter238]

Excellent videos!! I have one question when I weld flux core I have to much spatter . Any tips? I have change to negative but still the same😢

[@philh9238]

So I have never flux welded. Can you still do the same method as mig (stacking dimes) or does it have to be like yours in the video looks like you didn’t do any movement but just dragged it. But it looks good for sure

[@bojack2740]

Good content man

[@MLMCARSDEALER]

so great;

[@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?

[@bobd.fletcherjr4912]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️👍👍

[@enchantedmountain5354]

Excellent video, what about wire speed?

[@meanderingyogi6562]

Waited through the whole video thinking surely this cat will mention the parameter settings, the one elusive thing nobody will share.. nope … Great video though, thanks.

[@rudigouws741]

Hi hope u well. Max pro welder do u still need to change polarity also to weld flux core

[@AnthonyValadez-o2k]

Can you make a video about 1/16 dual shield wire please

[@vince6829]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@gorandiaye50]

Thank you for your excellent video

[@WolfGangFX]

How do I change polarity?

[@andrewford80]

Hey Tim, I finally got a welder and would like to thank you for your amazing content which has helped me feel confident enough to give it a go, and get underway. My first attempts with flux core were hideous but within 10min I was doing way better. I credit you for helping me with the theory side before I got my hands on a welder. Cheers

[@mariastrus9853]

Hi! thanks for all the detailed information for us, beginners. Could you talk about what gets connect to what and the surface to work on. Some people talk about using a wood work surface but then what do you connect your clamp to? thanks a bunch.

[@adrianramsey2934]

Hey tim. Im from Trinidad and Tobago i just got a flux mig welder an your Channel is the best ive come acorss . Thanks .

[@arlanbrady9978]

Thanks for the great service you provide. I am actually working through your online courses and find them extremely helpful. Where so you normally buy your welding coupons?

[@HockeyLAKings119]

Hey, I just got a flux cored welder fkr christmas. It's the vevor 3-in-1 welder that does mig, lift tig, and mma. This one is a 145A welder. It looks like there are just 2 knobs, one for volts, one for amps, but nothing for wire speed. How do i set it up, just trial and error? Dodnt cone woth a chart or anything when weldong different matierals like some do. Thanks.

[@TimWelds]

When in wire feed mode, usually the amp knob adjusts wire feed speed. Assuming you’re using .035” flux core wire, start around 150 in/min (3m/min) and 18 volts for 1/8” material. Adjust the wire speed up for more heat and down for less. Adjust voltage up for a longer arc and down for a shorter one.

[@HockeyLAKings119]

@@TimWelds oh right on! Thanks so much for sharing that knowledge! Ill use that for my projects! Thanks so much!

[@johnmaksim6279]

great screenshot. helpful.

[@TattooBlue602]

My machine has a mig-voltage knob -3 to +3 on it and it didn’t come with any charts to help get started. Using the included .8 flux core wire and my clamp plugged into the + port and my control handle plugged into the - port, what settings should I be using, the -3 side or the +3 side? It came set on 0, - settings are to the left and + settings go to right, max for both sides is 3, - or +. I’ve been searching for days and can’t find any information covering this exact question so I can get started and find my appropriate range. Thank you to anyone who can help🙏🏽

[@TimWelds]

Most likely, it’s voltage trim. This means that the machine sets voltage automatically and the knob just allows you to increase or decrease it from the programmed setting. To set it, keep in mind that voltage controls arc length. If you want a longer arc with a flatter bead, turn it up. If you want a shorter arc with a crowned bead, turn it down. Spatter can get worse when voltage is high, but some amount of spatter is inevitable.

[@TattooBlue602]

Awesome I totally understand that! Thank you very much, I was able to get a great bead with this knowledge. Great channel, I’m subscribing now and won’t miss anymore of your content!

[@jdprintz]

Thank you from a novice

[@akaheavymetal2542]

You didn't go into what settings on what the current and amperage should be and when to change them up or down???

[@stuartmarkman769]

I was told that the S at the end of the wire name means single pass reccomended. Is that true?

[@TimWelds]

If, for example, you’re looking at E71T-GS, yes, it’s a general purpose single pass wire. This is because it’s a little heavy on some alloying elements like manganese and relies on the dilution from the base metal to reach the correct composition. The other very common self-shielded wire is E71T-11, which can be used for multi-pass. There are a variety of others, some single pass and others multi-pass, so it’s best to check the data sheet if you aren’t sure.

[@Bigdaddyg6]

What about flux core 1.7mm no gas

[@Bigdaddyg6]

For verts I have a horizontal down but my vert wants to act like it cold when I turn it up it burns to much.

[@dabears22]

just wondering why does the drive roll have two slots in it if it only uses one?

[@pfsmith01]

Question for you... I have used 0.035 flux core wire, but I would like to use smaller wire - 0.030 or even 0.025 - in my home shop. Does this exist? I've never found any for sale anywhere and I'm beginning to think it doesn't exist...

[@miszced]

Lincoln has a .030" their NR-211-MP on a 1lb spool. Hobart has their equivalent size & type. As far as .025" there is . 024" but MIG only. I can only imagine delicate work to draw down thin-walled tubular flux filled wire.

[@Dr.CandanEsin]

One thing that protects me from MIG is the comments about the oxidation of wire and protection measures. I do not weld that much so unused wire could be ruined. Is it true we need special precautions and protection measures for currently unused wires?

[@miszced]

If your asking about MIG the actual manufacturers' Product Data Sheet or Material Safety Data Sheet should have some details. FWIW, keep the original packaging handy. Copper coating provides some protection & some oxidation shouldn't interfer with feedability or arc performance.

[@torowazup1]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👌🏼😎

[@tonyp9609]

Thank you for the video. Surprised to see that a Pro Pulse welder didn't have a metal drive mechanism. Good to know. Disappointed.

[@TimWelds]

No problem! Thanks for the comment! I get a bit nervous about plastic too, but this particular unit is a high quality Swiss made feeder. I looked into this at one point because I had the same question and the plastic is fiberglass reinforced polyamide, which is really durable. It’s a really nice feeder, a lot more consistent and reliable than others that appear to have more metal on them. They have ball bearings and bronze bushings for the running components and they aren’t breaking down on people, for what that’s worth.

[@tonyp9609]

Thank you for getting back to me. My main concern is how it handles heat under use and if the tension adjustment changes. Usually with metal feeders it is not a concern .Thanks again for your great videos.@@TimWelds

[@JCWren]

Does that machine not have a cold feed switch in the spool compartment?

[@ZILAwelds]

No, wire is automatically cold after 4 sec feeding and no arc established

[@jamesyates5191]

You are so clear and concise.

[@jule123ize]

Thanks!

[@TimWelds]

No problem!

[@InchFab]

Thanks for everything you do for the KZbin University welding community. You're one of the best. Which polarity am I supposed to use with dual shield? I'm using regular innershield wire and 75/25. Can't figure out the right one. I'm sure you've talked about this in a previous video, just help a guy be lazy. Please.

[@ZILAwelds]

DCEP

[@TimWelds]

Hi! Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate that! With dual shield, it's almost always DCEP and 75/25 is usually fine. However, you mentioned you're using innershield. I believe Lincoln's whole innershield line is self-shielded wire and thier gas-shielded wire is all in the outershield line. The specs can be confusing, but running gas with self-shielded wire isn't going to give you the results that you'll get from gas-shielded wire because it's a completely different formulation.

[@ZILAwelds]

@@TimWelds it can even be counterproductive to run shielding gas with self shielded wire ... some self shielded wire NEEED to react with the air of the atmosphere to hav proper strength and chemical reactions ! if the shielding gas blocks that out, loos of strength or weld defects can occur ... best practice is : read the manufactures spec sheet and find out of shielding gas 1) can be used. 2) has to be used. 3) or is not allowed to be used .... also shield shielded wires often have a limit on how many passes or what size weld you can run ... a lot of them are single pass, some are multi pass .. and even those have typically restrictions .. they are not "unlimited" thickness .... but Tim, you know that already .. sort - just had to type out my rand .. because I misread the inner shield for outer shield .... LOL. now that. have reading glasses on I can see what is going on ...

[@SuperAWaC]

@@ZILAwelds lots of people don't have a powerful enough machine to actually run dual shield, even though a machine might be capable of it. I can't imagine what a hobbyist could be doing to need to lay down that much weld that fast.

[@miszced]

I guess Brand names are evolving into a process. Makes the manufacturers' happy for sure.

[@Olecurtybastard]

Make sure you have the correct contact tip size for the wire you're running. It should say the size on the base for easy identification. I'm no welding expert and had to learn this lesson the hard way 😂