years ago when i started welding i bought an old craftsman for fifty dollars, the welds were horrible with flux core wire but when i changed the wire and ran...
3999
Michael
woodguy23701
May 2, 2009 2:25 am
Well, as I sit here blushing, it was a polarity thing. That and a bit too lower a power setting. Amazing what such little things do to change the outcome. ...
4000
dallashotrodparts
dallashotrod...
May 3, 2009 12:17 am
Ok a while back I got some advice on what TIG rods to use while welding auto spindles. There was some discussion as to whether they were investment cast or...
4001
John
john4cv
May 3, 2009 6:40 pm
Umm, is it really safe to weld spindles at all. I though spindles were forgings of virgin steel that had been heat treated for hardness. Won't the heat from...
4002
dallashotrodparts
dallashotrod...
May 4, 2009 9:40 pm
Well many off road guys build their own from stock spindles and several other custom shops also build their drop spindles from stock ones. I hear they are...
4003
tripletrophy1997
tripletrophy...
May 5, 2009 1:28 am
I am contemplating adding a TIG machine to my tool collection, to go along with the MIG for when I want cleaner, neater welds, or welds in lighter materials. ...
4004
Bill Rubenstein
stubbygroup
May 5, 2009 2:01 am
I don't know that machine -- I own an HTP Invertig 201. I've done a bunch of 3/16 steel (flat welds -- 3/16 on top of 3/16, no filler) and run at about 150 or...
4005
tripletrophy1997
tripletrophy...
May 5, 2009 2:42 am
The HTP Invertig 201 looks like a nice machine. Unfortunately, here in Canada (Toronto area) I have only found one distributor about an hour away, and $3,500...
4006
S. Byrd
mysnoopybird
May 11, 2009 5:48 pm
I get good penetration and all but my FCAW welds are UGLY! Whether its on 16 ga. steel or 1/4", they don't get that good looking line of half circles. Doesn't...
4007
lynn_b_nutz
May 11, 2009 7:51 pm
I've run into something similar. Basically, flux core wire is a thin, narrow, flat strip of metal that's rolled or otherwise formed into a tube with...
4008
sarah shevett
sshevett
May 11, 2009 11:25 pm
For a flux core only welder (me), there's a lot of good advice here. Thanks! sarah ... -- sarah shevett ferndale, ca http://www.redwoods.quik.com/goatland...
4009
Rich
oakhollowrich
May 11, 2009 11:33 pm
Be sure you reverse the polarity when changing from solid wire with gas to flux core....
4010
S. Byrd
mysnoopybird
May 12, 2009 2:14 am
Thanks, I'll double check my rollers, but I'm thinking the problem is moisture. The machine spent the past year on my car port, coverd with a large plastic...
4011
Ken
av8or_cfi
May 12, 2009 12:59 pm
Who told you Flux core was the easiest method? Back when I was teaching we taught MIG Steel and Aluminum then the students got to try flux core. ... -- ...
4012
Ken
av8or_cfi
May 12, 2009 1:10 pm
Condensation on the wire surface can cause problems. My recommendation is to buy small rolls in you are a casual user. I have seen 30 lb rolls of wire get...
4013
walter peterson
walt4711
May 12, 2009 1:26 pm
Covered by plastic is a bad thing, moisture can collect under plastic as the plastic will not breathe... better to cover with a cloth of some sort so moisture...
4014
lynn_b_nutz
May 12, 2009 5:11 pm
Same here. Flux core is always toward the end of the semester. Lynn B....
4015
lynn_b_nutz
May 12, 2009 5:14 pm
Sounds like the same material good car covers are made from. Sheds water but still breathes and wicks away condensation. That'll help some, but the best...
4016
S. Byrd
mysnoopybird
May 12, 2009 5:32 pm
... Since deciding to try again to learn FCAW,I've made space inside my 8x12 "shop" which also houses a Lagun Milling machine, an 11" Logan, a bandsaw, surface...
4017
S. Byrd
mysnoopybird
May 12, 2009 5:32 pm
... You're right, in thinking back, I believe it was MIG and not FCAW. Just my 70 year old memory taking a break. The break's over now and I do recall it was...
4018
Ken
av8or_cfi
May 12, 2009 5:41 pm
Keep wire, rods, tungstens, etc indoors. Before my uncle starts welding he has to get under his bed because that is where he stores his 7014 rods. I don't...
4019
Ken
av8or_cfi
May 12, 2009 6:07 pm
Remember "Ugly Weld does not equal bad weld" and Pretty Weld dos not equal good weld"....
4020
walter peterson
walt4711
May 13, 2009 12:41 am
Could be, where I live (WYO) it is classified as a High Altitude desert and moisture is a minor concern for a lot of welding if it's not certified welds. One...
4021
Michael
woodguy23701
May 13, 2009 2:34 pm
I use a flux core setup as well, would it be worthwhile to set up a small heater/drier box to store the spools in? I might weld 1 a week so the spool I have on...
4022
lynn_b_nutz
May 13, 2009 2:44 pm
How's it welding? If the welds it produces are okay, I'd keep using it. If not, I'd pick up another spool and find a way to keep it dry. At one use per...
4023
Rex
wreck7s
May 13, 2009 6:18 pm
If moisture is a problem, save the paper that the roll came in. It is a rust inhibitor. When you are done welding,just roll the wire back up on the roll and...
4024
mbonfire2002
May 14, 2009 5:15 pm
Could the person who asked for advice on the ugly flux welds give more detail on the nature of "ugly". If I remember he reported that the weld did not look...
4025
mbonfire2002
May 14, 2009 5:23 pm
I wonder if it was feasible to "bake out" a moisture contaminated roll of flux wire by heating it in a oven at say, 300F overnight? As far as storing stuff...
4026
Jay Gold
jgssfi
May 14, 2009 5:59 pm
We have never kept our wire in a controlled environment but do not let it get wet either. If you feel necessary to keep dry an old refrigerator with a light...
4027
lynn_b_nutz
May 14, 2009 7:43 pm
Porosity, more spatter, and a generally misshaped bead profile. After being "wet," it's the same as with stick rods. Merely allowing the rods to dry out...
