flux core wire

[Black Wolf]

No worries Boss, just wanted to make sure we're on the same page.

Later,

[weld_13]

yeh it was my fault i wasnt thinkin. to us rednecks a wirefeed is a mig no matter what it uses

[Black Wolf]

Sorry I was out in left field

I re-read your first post this morning and I believe I read it incorrectly. Am I understanding correctly you have a 110V wire feeder without a gas solenoid and contact switches? I was mislead when you said MIG. Forgive this sounding rude but you only have MIG (Metal Inert Gas) or GMAW (Gas-shielded Metal Arc Welding) capability with the gas kit. What you're describing is a wire feeder that is only capable of FCAW-SS (Flux Core Arc Welding - Self Shield) Jonny already pointed out the polarities used with each process that I did not go into detail with last night. Using straight polarity with FCAW self-shield, when you run a longer electrode stickout length is causes the wire to heat up and flow a little better. I did not explain that fully last night. Also I should clarify that Mig and Gmaw are two names for the same process. One is a general term commonly used and easily identified whille the other is the more correct acronym used today.
After all that I will get back to your original question. FCAW-SS uses straight polarity (as discussed) and when welding you use a back hand technique same as stick welding. Biggest thing is to watch your electrode inclination to balance the digging action with the swirling of the molten puddle to allow all the impurities to bubble to the surface before the puddle freezes. It's a feel thing. Give it a try on some scrap, and let us know how you make out.

Later,

[weld_13]

yeh its only a 110 because it was only bought to do little delicate stuff like an exhaust for my brothers car. my problem is that theres no way to set up gas on it at all which little did i know that when i bought it. thanks for the help

[JonnyTIG]

If your welding machine is MIG, you can probably run self shielded flux core wire as long as you can switch the polarity. Self shielded wire runs on straight polarity, unlike dual shield which runs on reverse polarity, same as solid wire. MIG, (Metal Inerrt GAS) is soley solid wire with an argon / argon mixed gas shield running on eletrode positive. Dual shield flux core, runs the same polarity as hard wire using reletively the same gases. Self shielded flux core wire uses no gas, and generaly runs on straight polarity. Some machines can be switched over from GMAW to FCAW, and some can not.

[Black Wolf]

Opinions vary, but with a "cheapy" welder using FCAW dual-shield I would suggest Carbon Dioxide for shielding. I don't imagine your machine has a very high Voltage output so you should be fine. On the plus side Carbon Dioxide is a lot cheaper than Argon or C25 gas. If you already have Argon, by all means use it. Just check to see if you have pure Argon, Argon-Carbon Dioxide, or Argon-Carbon Dioxide-Oxygen. It will make a difference in your weld. If you are used to GMAW, when you switch to FCAW, you can actually have a slightly longer electrode stickout length to allow the wire to heat up more. We could go into a lot more detail, and some after me might, but this should be enough to get you started. General rule of thumb for welding... If it has slag - you drag. When you switch to the FCAW, use a back hand technique same as SMAW. Strength wise, I don't believe they make a wire with less than around 70,000psi tensile, the same as XX18 SMAW rods. Some higher end FCAW wires can be in excess of 110,000psi tensile.

Hope it helps,
Later,

[weld_13]

hey i was wondering on how to use flux cored wire in a mig because the mig i haver is a cheapy flux core only that u cant use argon. ive realized its like a stick welder and closeness to the workpiece is an esenctial to good looking welds and less slag but what about strength? thanks