Gasless MIG question

[bunyip]

When I finish is there any reason why I cannot leave the wire in the feeder and extending from the tip, seems a pain to remove it each time it is used or is there a deterioration issue?

 

[RNeumann]

No issue I know of.....that’s what I’ve always done. What do you currently do with the wire?!?!?

 

[Budweiser John]

When I finish is there any reason why I cannot leave the wire in the feeder and extending from the tip, seems a pain to remove it each time it is used or is there a deterioration issue?

Been doing it that way for at least ten years. No deterstion issue I know of.

B. John

 

[bunyip]

MIG is new to me but the manual tells me to take it out but does not say why, appreciate the responses which confirms my own thoughts, at worst I thought that the first couple of inches could break down with ambient moisture, my understanding of MIG is that it is like a stick in reverse with the 'flux' being rolled into the centre.
Being an ex electronic tech from too many years ago I think of the construction as similar to multicore solder.
All I need to do now is come to terms with the beast and improve my welding although it is infinitely better than my stick welding, having said that as this new welder is an inverter I am told that it will stick weld better than my old transformer model (this is a MIG and stick, 240v inverter 185amp, no 110v here).

 

[Gary Fowler]

Unless you seal the spool in an air tight bag with some desiccant to remove all the moisture, you may as well leave it in the gun. I would cut a few inches off the end prior to use. The biggest issue is going to be outside rusting of the wire if it is stored in a high humidity environment for long periods. If you are an infrequent user, buy small 1# spools and keep the spares sealed in their hermetically sealed bags.

By the way, if you are not using gas then the correct term would be FCAW (flux core arc welding) rather than MIG (metal inert gas ).

 

[bunyip]

My welder is MIG and has gas capabilities but I believe that in windy conditions it is next to useless which is why I am opting for 'FCAW', they are sold as gasless MIG (with the flux core) hence the terminology I used.
Humidity is not an issue and at the moment I am using 1kg rolls of .8mm mainly because I have quite a bit of it, when this runs out I will move to 5kg .9mm as it has a better range of thicknesses it can weld.
The serrated feeder wheel has both .8mm and .9mm slots and is reversible to match the wire, tips I have plenty of in both sizes.
Still need a lot more practice but a local welder has offered to help me out for a 'fee', the usual tender comes in 375ml bottles @24 per carton.

 

[Evan03]

Ive had issues with wire new out of the package not welding. Ive had no issues leaving wire in the machine for long periods of time. I did have issues after welding a snow sleet rain storm will getting soggy under a truck machine wascwet i was wet misermable but got the job done and through that wire away

 

[zzvyb6]

Empty the gun each time and wind it around in a ball (like a string saver would do). After a few years, you can duct tape it all back together and wind it onto an empty old wire spool. I my neighbor saves all of the bale twines that come with hay she buys from me. Says she will sell it all back to me at 1/2 the price of new. I'd says she has balls from doing this. Plastic ones...

 

[jaxs]

Since you are in the learning stage I recommend buying a new roll of Lincoln, Hobart or other recconized brand wire specifically for flat and horizonal. The puddle is slower to freeze than all position wire. Keep this roll in a 4mil+,airtight bag between use. Keep on melting wire you have on hand but occasionally grind some metal clean and use this roll to see if it does better then rebag when finished. Eventhough flux core can be used on dirty/rusted material,it work's better on clean material. Give yourself the benefit of those three things while learning. You will soon learn when and how to make adjustment for less than optimum conditions. Lincoln's website has information on shelf life and storage as well as a lot of other good information.

 

[bunyip]

Thanks, will have a look at BOC wire (a big name here) Hobart I have neither seen or heard of.
Looks like a new use for the vacuum sealer too, never thought of it for wire but I seal boxes of matches for use on the yacht and have even done food:thumbsup:

 

[Lelandwelds]

When I finish is there any reason why I cannot leave the wire in the feeder and extending from the tip, seems a pain to remove it each time it is used or is there a deterioration issue?

Can you use it again before it gets rusty? How dusty is your place? ( one of my former customers had canvas straps wide enough to fit between each side of the spool. One end had an eye that fit over a bolt on his feeder. The other end was weighted. It kept the grinder dust off his wire.) I leave mine on the machine.

There is another kind of flux cored that welds better. It is a little expensive. It uses a little co2 and makes its own shield too. You run it the same polarity as your solid wire.

 

[drizler]

I always have left the stuff I use the most. .035 flux core in the gun. Never a problem. I take quart sliced zip locks and store the 2lb reels I知 not using though. Bigger baggies for the 11 lb reels. Because I live in the Arctic Swamp when winter hits i don稚 weld much so the Hobart goes in the warm cellar next to the furnace.
Nnnthe best way I know to wreck a welder is leave it plugged in during lightning season. Personal experience there

 

[Big Barn]

Can you use it again before it gets rusty? How dusty is your place? ( one of my former customers had canvas straps wide enough to fit between each side of the spool. One end had an eye that fit over a bolt on his feeder. The other end was weighted. It kept the grinder dust off his wire.) I leave mine on the machine.

There is another kind of flux cored that welds better. It is a little expensive. It uses a little co2 and makes its own shield too. You run it the same polarity as your solid wire.

Welcome to TBN Lelandwelds!
Lis2323 Welding Web & GJ

 

[yomax4]

At the the big box stores you can get a roll of thin plastic on a cardboard core. It's used for shrink wrapping anything. 4" wide and about a mile of plastic wrap on it. ( Or Glad Wrap works too ) I used to throw a desiccant pouch in the spool and wrap it up with the plastic wrap and tape it shut. Keeps rust out and preserves the quality of the cored wires which I seldom ever used. Also used to use a foodsaver vacuum sealer.

 

[Big Barn]

Here’s a pic of the pallet wrap yomax mentioned.


This plastic cover for my bench feeder helps keep the wire relatively dust free.



I use a heavy ply plastic bag for part rolls in storage.

 

[bunyip]

You run it the same polarity as your solid wire.

+ Ground on gasless/flux core not sure without looking at the manual what solid wire is but suspect - Ground.
I cover everything with a sheet when I am finished mainly because the birds like to spread superphosphate over everything, no matter how well I seal up the building they seem to get in, the sheet also keeps off dust and any dampness in the air, I use an old flannelette sheet as it doesn't seem to get damp and nothing gets past it, I tried a nylon fly sheet off an old tent and moisture underneath was a problem.

 

[WranglerX]

Flux core (FCAW), DCEN (Electrode Negative).. Ground Positive..

Solid wire (GMAW), DCEP (Electrode Positive)... Ground Negative..

I use a bit of scotch brite abrasive pad folded over and held in place with paper clamp to scrub wire as it enters tensioner/drive roller...

Lots of good stuff at link beblow...

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

Dale

 

[Big Barn]

I think the process in question that Lelandwelds posted was FCAW-S also known as Outershield or Dual Shield which is usually electrode positive but apparently sometimes electrode negative depending on the wire.

 

[WranglerX]

I think the process in question that Lelandwelds posted was FCAW-S also known as Outershield or Dual Shield which is usually electrode positive but apparently sometimes electrode negative depending on the wire.

Think you are right..Sort of missed that...

Dale