flux core wire welding

bill b va · Apr 11, 2015

need help seeing the welding i am doing . using shade 8 lens . hard to see puddle and location of weld with all the smoke . using hobart .030wire..... thanks bill

stronics · Apr 11, 2015

Bill, what is it about not seeing the puddle do you mean? Is it too bright where you can't see the edge or explain what you are seeing. Number 8 I think may be a little bright, might try a 10 or 9.
David

Stan in Oly, WA · Apr 11, 2015

Bill;

When I'm stick welding at home where I don't have a fume extractor, I use a regular desk fan to blow the smoke away. I do it for health reasons more than for visibility, but you get both benefits. If you're still having trouble with visibility after you deal with the smoke problem, you might try installing a bright light to shine on your work. If the area to be welded is brightly enough lit, you might be able to adjust your helmet to a darker shade to see if that helps. One caution about putting a light bulb close to the area being welded---weld spatter, of which flux core can produce as much as stick, will blow out an incandescent bulb. I don't know if the same is true for other types of bulbs, but it would probably be worth taking measures to avoid finding out.

Stan

rustyfarmall · Apr 11, 2015

(quoted from post at 04:22:57 04/11/15) need help seeing the welding i am doing . using shade 8 lens . hard to see puddle and location of weld with all the smoke . using hobart .030wire..... thanks bill

My auto-darkening helmet made all the difference.

Ron in NS · Apr 11, 2015

Since you're not using any gas shielding, you may as well use a fan to blow the smoke away. I'd go to about a 10 or 11 shade. Use a drag technique since you're using flux core, so that the gun doesn't obstruct your view as much.

MarkB_MI · Apr 11, 2015

A magnifying lens inside your helmet will help. Particularly if you're over 40 and can't focus close up.

big daddy · Apr 11, 2015

Welding with a number 8 lens is too bright a number 9 lens is the lowest recommended for any type welding procedure. try going to a 11 or 12 for flux-core welding,and if you use co2 gas with your flux-core wire you will be amazed how easy it is to make welds,co2 is very cheap gas to use some thing like 20 dollars for a four foot tall bottle what-ever cubic-foot bottle that is

Stan in Oly, WA · Apr 13, 2015

Bill;

Nobody has mentioned this because it's so obvious that it seems like it doesn't need to be said, but you don't need the nozzle when you're using flux core wire. If the welder is capable of running gas shielded wire, then it probably came with the nozzle installed. On the small chance that you're running your flux core with the nozzle in place, take it off. It certainly is one of the factors that affects visibility (makes it hard to watch the weld puddle) when you're doing MIG welding.

Stan

flux core wire welding

bill b va

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stronics

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Stan in Oly, WA

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rustyfarmall

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Ron in NS

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MarkB_MI

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big daddy

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Stan in Oly, WA

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