mig welder

bfullmer · Apr 27, 2015

Always mig welded with gas-but my last project was outside and with the wind the welds are poor-if I switch to flux wire what do I have to change and any different way of welding ?? I have a Hobart 180

Buzzman72 · Apr 27, 2015

Start by switching polarity.

da.bees · Apr 27, 2015

As Salt & Peppa say you can push it with gas but should drag slag.

Bob · Apr 27, 2015

Nothing wrong with waiting for a calm day, or using a sheet of plywood or a strategically parked vehicle to hold the wind at bay, or move indoors.

To me, flux core wire seems like a poor alternative to any of those choices. (Just IMHO.)

RobCons · Apr 27, 2015

As stated switch the polarity. Typically in the machines case near the roll of wire. Drag the puddle with flux core wire by angling the gun opposite the travel direction.

jon f mn · Apr 27, 2015

Just weld behind your hand, with a glove of course. I get by with that mostly, but sometimes I'll have someone hold something to block the wind.

Stan in Oly, WA · Apr 27, 2015

Don't forget that without shielding gas, you don't need the nozzle. Take it off, you'll be able to see much better without it in the way.

Stan

Jerry F · Apr 27, 2015

I also use my hand to shield or prop a sheet of plywood. Depending on how windy it is I also turn up the gas which can help a lot if it is just light breezes.
If it just wouldn't work I will get out the stick welder before I would change my mig to flux core

Dick L · Apr 28, 2015

I do most of my outside welding with a mig welder. I only use flux core. When you get the flux core don't get your hopes up to high when the wind is blowing.

Robert Major · Apr 28, 2015

Hi Was going to comment last night with go buy a stick welder, But decided to keep quiet as nobody else had commented about the gas less mig welding system being less than fantastic in some applications. The seed plant I worked at had a dedicated Lincoln for out in the yard or on top of bins kinda jobs.
it never was that fantastic from my experience and i can weld real good with anything else.
About the only thing that machine was good for was a wheel chock for a fwd tractor.
i was actually tempted one day to forget to move it and drive over it, i got so frustrated with it!
Those things have a place and from my experience, it's place was somebody else's shed sadly.
Regards Robert

formenwhogrow · Apr 28, 2015

You'll have to change the wire feed rollers for flux core wire and switch polarity. On my Lincoln, it's just switching a wire from one terminal to another. Nothing about your technique will need to change.

bjr · Apr 28, 2015

Yes, I fully agree. I just don't have the patience for those wire feeds... Too much fiddling around. I like grabbing a stick of rod and Blow & Go. My welds will hold but I don't brag about them or put them on display somewhere. Just need to keep a piece of farm machinery moving a little while longer. bjr

Gary Mitchell · Apr 29, 2015

Bingo!

mig welder

bfullmer

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Buzzman72

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da.bees

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Bob

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RobCons

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jon f mn

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Stan in Oly, WA

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Jerry F

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Dick L

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Robert Major

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formenwhogrow

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bjr

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Gary Mitchell

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