reverse polarity

[wheelman918]

I weld hi freq reverse polarity on aluminum everyday I do a lot of mig on cars and such my new mig machine has reverse polarity what is the purpose of reverse polarity when using a mig on steel?

[WyoRoy]

The reverse polarity is for when you are running flux core wire instead of regular solid wire.

[wheelman918]

Ok ive always mig welded on cars and such always solid wire so I didnt know thank you

[cruizer]

Well Reverse polarity is electrode positive, flux core runs in straight polarity, as does most tig work

[jpence38]

Innershield (Gasless) flux core is straight polarity (DC-)

Outershield (Gas shielded) flux core is reverse polarity (DC+)

The reverse polarity is for when you are running flux core wire instead of regular solid wire.

Not quite sure where you got that information, but solid wire is also run on reverse polarity.

The reason the new mig machine has reverse polarity is probably because it has a gas hook-up on it and you can run a solid wire whereas the older model did not, hence the straight polarity used to run gasless flux core.

[Meltedmetal]

my new mig machine has reverse polarity

`Just curious, do you mean it is set up with reverse polarity or it has a polarity switch? What model of mig machine are you talking about?--Meltedmetal

[jpence38]

`Just curious, do you mean it is set up with reverse polarity or it has a polarity switch? What model of mig machine are you talking about?--Meltedmetal

Just a guess, but it may have two terminal posts that can be switched on the inside where the wire spool goes. That is the way my small machines are set up.

[Meltedmetal]

Just a guess, but it may have two terminal posts that can be switched on the inside where the wire spool goes. That is the way my small machines are set up.

Thanks Jim. I am aware of this and I guess a polarity switch is something that the "product engineer" saw fit to dispense with to save a few dollars on the cost of manufacture. Keeps the price point lower I suppose. I don't have one(small mig) but if I did, I think I might be tempted to put a polarity switch on it just cause I do a wide variety of things in a wide variety of places and usually in a rush. Anyway looks like he's gone fishin' and I've got to go do some pointing. (Not the finger kind, the stone foundation kind). Have a good weekend all.---Meltedmetal

[eecervantes83]

Can someone point me in the right direction. I own a 211 and would like to add a polarity switch to the front panel
since I'm frequently switching. Thanks

[cruizer]

WHY would you be continously switching from gas to gasless wire???

[eecervantes83]

I use this machine for my flux core wire
and. When an aluminum job. Shows up I use the same machine. This happens maybe twice a week. Multiple times a day.
I know I need to buy a second machine I just haven't. Made my decision on which one. I wanted a passport plus. But Miller goes and pulls it of the shelf. And I can't get a shop size machine. Because I'm mobile. On sites

[duaneb55]

I weld hi freq reverse polarity on aluminum everyday I do a lot of mig on cars and such my new mig machine has reverse polarity what is the purpose of reverse polarity when using a mig on steel?

Reverse polarity (EP) TIG? Kinda tough on tungsten isn't it?

[jpence38]

Reverse polarity (EP) TIG? Kinda tough on tungsten isn't it?

Good catch. I can't believe I missed that. Something isn't right in Millerville.

[jpence38]

I use this machine for my flux core wire
and. When an aluminum job. Shows up I use the same machine. This happens maybe twice a week. Multiple times a day.
I know I need to buy a second machine I just haven't. Made my decision on which one. I wanted a passport plus. But Miller goes and pulls it of the shelf. And I can't get a shop size machine. Because I'm mobile. On sites

Have you tried switching to a gas-shielded flux core wire???

[snoeproe]

I weld hi freq reverse polarity on aluminum everyday I do a lot of mig on cars and such my new mig machine has reverse polarity what is the purpose of reverse polarity when using a mig on steel?

High frequency tig welding on aluminum is generally done with AC weld current, not dc + (reverse) polarity.
Someone is a bit confused here.