Flux core help!

[Weldermom]

I'm welding a boiler tube in position mig root me flux core fill n cap. I've only welded flux core on the wheel and inflat. I'm having a hard time filling and caping. Just cant get it consistent with such small pipe. And I can't see sh** like where I'm going and I'm using a shade 10 lense. This is a test for a job. I did it once and failed and will get a chance to retry. The heat n wire speed I used was 23.0 v and 320 ws. Can anyone give me some advice please!!

[cwgrizz]

It is necessary to be able to see. I have had to go to shade 9 and use cheaters to be able to see what I am welding. That would be where I would go for starters. Fix the seeing problem.

[eecervantes83]

Pipe size and whick wire are are you using? And shade 10 is sufficient.

[Weldermom]

Boiler tube 2 1/2" xxs not sure exactly what wire I was using.

[Bentrod]

I am not sure there is enough information for me to give good advice in this situation.

As CWGrizz says...you do have to be able to see. That is paramount.

I assume you are welding with .045 wire, and welding butt-welds and not sockets? I am also assuming you are welding it in (4) 90 degree arcs so the pipe does not warp...a typical pipe test scenario?

Aside from that we really need to know what "inconsistent" means. Are you getting lack of fusion, roll, undercut, or slag infusion?

In all this, I assume you are holding your edges too. Flux-core and pulse welding is a bit different then stick welding in that you can just go straight across and not have to weave with in little u's. Think in terms of a robot if you have ever seen them weld...very mechanical, back and forth and just forward slightly with each bit of weave. Listening to the weld going in plays a lot into welding too...

You can try fussing with your induction settings, I like mine at 50-60%, but in all honesty that is more for fine tuning and not really a make-or-break part of the process.

[ryanjones2150]

Flux core help!

For me, when I need to see better, I turn my hood down to 8 and wear a pair of sun glasses underneath. I might be crazy, but seems like I can see better and don't end up with the big blue dot in the middle of my vision for the next ten minutes. For the second or so I need it a bit "lighter", I just peek over top of the sun glasses and keep going. I'm also not a pipe welder.

[Bentrod]

For me, when I need to see better I use a mirror!

It has taken a few years to get good at it, and while I am in the shipbuilding industry, it is often employed in repairing boilers. As a welder, it certainly is a skill to master because it prevents you from being a contortionist.

[aametalmaster]

The heat n wire speed I used was 23.0 v and 320 ws. Can anyone give me some advice please!!

I use 23 volts and 230 wire speed for the .045 gas flux core I run. I like it a little slower. All my co workers run 300+ wire speed but that's what works for me. I have used those numbers for the 3 tests that I have done also...Bob

[Tryagn5]

I'm welding a boiler tube in position mig root me flux core fill n cap. I've only welded flux core on the wheel and inflat. I'm having a hard time filling and caping. Just cant get it consistent with such small pipe. And I can't see sh** like where I'm going and I'm using a shade 10 lense. This is a test for a job. I did it once and failed and will get a chance to retry. The heat n wire speed I used was 23.0 v and 320 ws. Can anyone give me some advice please!!

So....what wire size, im going to guess your using gas shielded flux core, like 71 outershield. Also is the pipe on a rotator, since you said the test is in postion? Are you pushing or pulling the weld...this is a very easy test to pass if you give the details. Also on your cap get into the habit of counting to help time your weeve. Likely the weeve is either to low, high or wanders, counting will help you learn the timing.
Kevin