flux wire weld, how hard it i? |
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flux wire weld, how hard it i? |
914itis |
Dec 9 2010, 07:51 PM
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#1
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,892 Joined: 9-October 10 From: New York City Member No.: 12,256 Region Association: North East States |
is it difficult to use a flux wire welder? what are the do's and don'ts to make it easier?
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Cap'n Krusty |
Dec 9 2010, 07:55 PM
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#2
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
I've heard you get nasty welds. I use gas.
The Cap'n |
r_towle |
Dec 9 2010, 07:56 PM
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#3
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
it works fine and in windy situations its even better than a gas shielded system.
You may hear everyone tell you that you cant use it and you must spend he extra 3-500 to buy a gas shielded unit...but that is not true. It can be done, but it will create larger welds, and more of a mess due to the flux that spatters all over the place. with the larger welds comes even more heat. So you need to learn to weld in spurts or you will burn through the metal. Get the welder...or rent one to learn. Get a piece of 20 gauge sheet metal. Put it on the bench or a cinder block and learn how to write your name with the welder. When you can write your name, without burning through, and with a solid well penetrated weld, you are ready. check your learning by looking a the back to see how consistant the color is. Rich |
914itis |
Dec 9 2010, 08:03 PM
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#4
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,892 Joined: 9-October 10 From: New York City Member No.: 12,256 Region Association: North East States |
Thanks Rich, I was told its hard to get it to stick. I just picked up 110 volts one to try, I guest I will have some fun.
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jd74914 |
Dec 9 2010, 08:05 PM
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#5
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Its alive Group: Members Posts: 4,780 Joined: 16-February 04 From: CT Member No.: 1,659 Region Association: North East States |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
Rich's tips are spot on. You can do most anything with a flux core welder. In addition to his tips, you need to be aware of that your work will require more smoothing, and will be more prone to cracking if/when you work it with a hammer. I weld flux core, MIG, and TIG at a somewhat advanced amateur level quite often; they all have their place. My first 914 was just about entirely welded together with flux core. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
r_towle |
Dec 9 2010, 08:05 PM
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#6
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
Its all about being clean before you weld.
Write your name....you will get the hang of it from there. Play with all the lower settings for sheet metal...try each one. If you are having problems. post a pic or two of your welds. You can do a couple of things. move to slow or to fast Voltage is to low or to high Gun tip is to close or to far away. Rich |
914itis |
Dec 9 2010, 08:12 PM
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#7
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,892 Joined: 9-October 10 From: New York City Member No.: 12,256 Region Association: North East States |
Its all about being clean before you weld. Write your name....you will get the hang of it from there. Play with all the lower settings for sheet metal...try each one. If you are having problems. post a pic or two of your welds. You can do a couple of things. move to slow or to fast Voltage is to low or to high Gun tip is to close or to far away. Rich Thanks. will keep you posted! |
realred914 |
Dec 10 2010, 09:36 AM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,086 Joined: 1-April 10 From: california Member No.: 11,541 Region Association: None |
try another plate, maybe it is bent? you should not need glue on the o-ring, o-rings are actually designed to move a bit as things expand/contract, glue can compromise that. me thinks something is bent on yours. one photos appear to show a lop sided plate where you can see the o-ring more on one side verses the othes. good luck also PS you might try coloring the o-ring with a flet pen marker, then assemble, them take apart and see if the color might show where teh contact is not being made??? just a might help you see where the defect is. gas sheild gives better cleaner stronger wleds in general, is easier, specailly for the learner. i highly recommend you try to rent a tank and set up as gas shielded. the cost of the tank rental may not be that bad when you consider the solid wires is cheaper, and you will be making less scrap, and require less clean up (grinding) gas sheild is superior not doubt. much easier to master, it is were it is at. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) |
charliew |
Dec 10 2010, 01:18 PM
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#9
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,363 Joined: 31-July 07 From: Crawford, TX. Member No.: 7,958 |
Just my old guy input. I have welded with a stick, mig and tig and torch. Not wire flux but I have seen wire flux mild steel welds and there is a lot of cleanup. You will spend the difference in the gas and flux in time and money on cleanup. Grinder wheels burned up metal and wasted time is not my favorite way to do repairs with metal. My sons company actually welds stainless with a mig and they are good at it, had I known how well it works I might have never bought a tig. Although it still is needed for aluminum.
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914itis |
Dec 10 2010, 02:09 PM
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#10
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,892 Joined: 9-October 10 From: New York City Member No.: 12,256 Region Association: North East States |
Just my old guy input. I have welded with a stick, mig and tig and torch. Not wire flux but I have seen wire flux mild steel welds and there is a lot of cleanup. You will spend the difference in the gas and flux in time and money on cleanup. Grinder wheels burned up metal and wasted time is not my favorite way to do repairs with metal. My sons company actually welds stainless with a mig and they are good at it, had I known how well it works I might have never bought a tig. Although it still is needed for aluminum. Does mig requires gas? Are there mugs that uses 120 volts? 220 is not an option 4 me |
indianmort |
Dec 10 2010, 03:05 PM
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#11
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 2-August 10 From: sugarloaf ny Member No.: 12,004 Region Association: None |
depending on the welder, you may only need to change the tip, cup and wire and add the regulator. my century these are all that is needed to go from flux to gas. if the machine has the gas fixture on the back then this is probably all you need to do. if not, you may need to change the gun and lead assembly to go to gas. i am sure there are many here who know the answer for sure. my century 140 is 110. there are other 110 gas rigs available as well.
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SirAndy |
Dec 10 2010, 03:34 PM
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#12
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,641 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
is it difficult to use a flux wire welder? what are the do's and don'ts to make it easier? Here's a good article about the differences between MIG and Flux ... http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/a...vsfluxcored.asp (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) |
realred914 |
Dec 10 2010, 04:52 PM
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#13
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Senior Member Group: Retired Members Posts: 1,086 Joined: 1-April 10 From: california Member No.: 11,541 Region Association: None |
Just my old guy input. I have welded with a stick, mig and tig and torch. Not wire flux but I have seen wire flux mild steel welds and there is a lot of cleanup. You will spend the difference in the gas and flux in time and money on cleanup. Grinder wheels burned up metal and wasted time is not my favorite way to do repairs with metal. My sons company actually welds stainless with a mig and they are good at it, had I known how well it works I might have never bought a tig. Although it still is needed for aluminum. Does mig requires gas? Are there mugs that uses 120 volts? 220 is not an option 4 me yes, migs can run on 110 volts and yes MIG ( Metal Inert GAS) uses the sheilding gas. the gas is used to blow away oxygen form the air that would oxidize the red hot metal, oxygen in the melt would weaken the weld. the argon/CO2 mix in the mig gas will not react with the red hot metal. the gas is INERT! Hobart makes a very capable 110 volt MIG welder, called the Hobart handler, look them up on the web. this is really a first rate small MIG, have used it extensivly, great for autobody metal work a quality maching, no cheapo chinese crap. if you going to weld a bunch, invest in a good welder, not the Costo special. The Hobart Handler has has served my fatehr and me for near 20 years, it is portable. dont let the plastic case fool you,. it is a quality percision welder, ggood transformer, Gun, and drive mechanism, Hobart is a major welding machine maker. this one is not a toy. if you only do a small job, and dont expect to use it often ever again, consider a rental, or buy a cheap one. |
r_towle |
Dec 10 2010, 05:01 PM
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#14
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
is it difficult to use a flux wire welder? what are the do's and don'ts to make it easier? Here's a good article about the differences between MIG and Flux ... http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/a...vsfluxcored.asp (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) very good article...spot on. Rich |
sww914 |
Dec 10 2010, 08:48 PM
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#15
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,439 Joined: 4-June 06 Member No.: 6,146 Region Association: None |
I was surprised to see the ironworkers building the 5 story Mark S. Taper Imaging Center at Cedars-Sinai hospital using flux core mig. It was BIG flux core mig for BIG steel beams.
I use gas but I've used flux as well on a 24 hours of LeMons project. I was impressed overall. It was hard to tune it for sheet metal, their wire was a bit big, but it did a really excellent job of welding 1/8" and up, like seat belt tabs on the cage and cage gussets. I'd buy gas again but if all I could afford I'd buy flux core and convert it to a bottle later. |
r_towle |
Dec 10 2010, 11:09 PM
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#16
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
I was surprised to see the ironworkers building the 5 story Mark S. Taper Imaging Center at Cedars-Sinai hospital using flux core mig. It was BIG flux core mig for BIG steel beams. I use gas but I've used flux as well on a 24 hours of LeMons project. I was impressed overall. It was hard to tune it for sheet metal, their wire was a bit big, but it did a really excellent job of welding 1/8" and up, like seat belt tabs on the cage and cage gussets. I'd buy gas again but if all I could afford I'd buy flux core and convert it to a bottle later. Gas mig is limited to about 1/8 inch in thickness. Flux core can go alot bigger...and with more amps it really becomes and arc welder with a rolling wire... Outside, in the wind...flux core rules. Gas mig needs no wind and everything needs to be super clean. Steel beams are never clean... Rich |
geniusanthony |
Dec 11 2010, 01:15 AM
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#17
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Its a brand new "Chrome-sicle" Group: Members Posts: 517 Joined: 12-December 05 From: Alexandria,VA Member No.: 5,266 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Great input, I have used wire fed flux core, Mig, arc, and brazed and by far the easiest to use was wire fed flux, it is how I learned and helped prepare me for later practices. If all you have to do is squeez the trigger and move the gun you can concentrate on your movement speed, angle, and distance from the work. Ya you have to clean it up more but when you are learning, thats when you will see were you went wrong and can problem solve from there. For example, as you are grinding off all the boogers you will think, wow, this sucks, how can I avoid this in the future? And , perhaps next time a little more prep work will cause fewer boogers and your work practices can then improve. BTW cold chisels make the quickest work of steel boogers.
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Andyrew |
Dec 11 2010, 01:18 AM
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#18
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Spooling.... Please wait Group: Members Posts: 13,376 Joined: 20-January 03 From: Riverbank, Ca Member No.: 172 Region Association: Northern California |
One of the biggest differences between flux core and MIG is that when you are laying a bead with flux core, you cant go back on that bead as you wont make any penetration. The wire has a shielding element to it that has to be knocked off prior to welding more, This makes it really difficult to fill holes and make gaps,which is very common on household welding. This is why I prefer MIG welding. With mig welding the shielding comes in a form of a gas and doesnt cause for any sheild on the metal, and thus can be immediately welded over with great penetration.
However a flux core is a great way to learn! Good luck! Get some sheet metal, and play with your settings. Weld for 15 minutes, examine everything, adjust settings, weld again, adjust, repeat for 3 hours.. you should have the basics down. |
914itis |
Dec 11 2010, 05:32 PM
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#19
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,892 Joined: 9-October 10 From: New York City Member No.: 12,256 Region Association: North East States |
For some reason it refuses to stick I spent hous tryng to weld a 22 gauge piec of metal about 2 inches long to plug a hole and no luck
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saigon71 |
Dec 11 2010, 07:56 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,998 Joined: 1-June 09 From: Dillsburg, PA Member No.: 10,428 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Just my old guy input. I have welded with a stick, mig and tig and torch. Not wire flux but I have seen wire flux mild steel welds and there is a lot of cleanup. You will spend the difference in the gas and flux in time and money on cleanup. Grinder wheels burned up metal and wasted time is not my favorite way to do repairs with metal. My sons company actually welds stainless with a mig and they are good at it, had I known how well it works I might have never bought a tig. Although it still is needed for aluminum. Does mig requires gas? Are there mugs that uses 120 volts? 220 is not an option 4 me yes, migs can run on 110 volts and yes MIG ( Metal Inert GAS) uses the sheilding gas. the gas is used to blow away oxygen form the air that would oxidize the red hot metal, oxygen in the melt would weaken the weld. the argon/CO2 mix in the mig gas will not react with the red hot metal. the gas is INERT! Hobart makes a very capable 110 volt MIG welder, called the Hobart handler, look them up on the web. this is really a first rate small MIG, have used it extensivly, great for autobody metal work a quality maching, no cheapo chinese crap. if you going to weld a bunch, invest in a good welder, not the Costo special. The Hobart Handler has has served my fatehr and me for near 20 years, it is portable. dont let the plastic case fool you,. it is a quality percision welder, ggood transformer, Gun, and drive mechanism, Hobart is a major welding machine maker. this one is not a toy. if you only do a small job, and dont expect to use it often ever again, consider a rental, or buy a cheap one. I have to endorse the Hobart Handler as well - great welder! I learned without gas and added the tank about a month later. Much cleaner welds and less clean up. Adding the gas bottle was well worth the expense to me. Take your time practicing on scrap metal as suggested above before touching anything on the car. |
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