MIG vs. Flux Core Welding

[RPW]

Yep made a mistake on the size. What I had on hand were 3/32. However I did pick up som 5/32 7018 today. What I will be welding is some 1/2 plate to a 3/4 thick bushing for a heavy duty bale spear. The fit up isn't the greatest plus I want some very deep penetration. I have some other projects later in the year that will also need the thicker rods.

 

[gauthier]

Yeah,a 5/32 would come in handy maybe on something that thick,but you could probably do a good job with just 1/8,6010 is a good rod,many use it just for root and hot pass than go out with 7018,it digs a little deeper for your first pass,but if you get your joint right,and run on the hot side,all 7018 would probably do just fine.

7018 is not made to be used to put an open root in with,unless you can grind and weld other side.

I use 6010 on every thing at my house,don't have 7018 cause you need to store them in an oven.

6010 will beat about any mild steel that most will be welding.

 

[handirifle]

yes, mig makes better looking welds with less splatter than fcaw.

But you wont get the penetration with mig that you do with fcaw. Thats one of the reasons the 110v models are generally set up for flux core. And if your looking for appearance you probably don't want to run straight co2 either, which will further reduce your capacity.

If this is something you plan on towing, or moving around a lot, I would recommend you stick with the flux core for the heavier/structural elements of the smoker, and switch to mig for the rest.

This is interesting!!!

I thought it was just my imagination, when I first got my 110V Mig setup, it came with flux core wire, and that was what I used for over a year. Then looking for cleaner welds also, I went with the Co2 mix and solid wire. I thought I was imagining that it didn't seem to penetrate as well. At least I'm not crazy.

There IS LESS SPLATTER with the Mig, but sometimes I want to weld thicker metal, and this little unit just wasn't doing it with the gas. Very interesting.

 

[Transit]

Yes, that is what gives the small 110v Migs a bad name that crosses over to larger units. The HF units are the worst. I have been involved in upgrading some HF units with good results, a world of difference.

 

[Cami]

@gauthier: Low hydrogen can be used for open root just fine....if you know what you're doing. I did a bunch of chrome-moly pipe welding where the procedure called for 9018 throughout with a 250F preheat and straight polarity for the root pass...ensuring proper fusion and internal reenforcement was a PITA...did enough of it to know not to agree to do it again

 

[gauthier]

Well,you just said two things,it can be used just fine and it was a real pain,,,,so,,,

I didn't say it was impossible just that you don't do that

Rod[as you know] is not made to run open root,rod melts off inside flux,as you know.

Who ever wrote that procedure should have to show how he does it every day,,tig root/hot, stick out is the way to weld it in field,,if you are in fab shop,,many use mig root .

 

[Cami]

It was a pain but it worked fine; not as straightforward as using 6010. You needed to keep the electrode tight to the work and keep twisting it to keep breaking off the cup that forms with the flux at the end of the rod and ensure both faces were properly fusing. The pain was keeping it going and having a consistent level of internal reenforcement; there also seemed to be more tie-ins to do and more grinding to do.

Being good enough is good enough but beautiful is better; it feels better to hit home runs, doesn't it?

 

[gauthier]

Generally most chrome 1 1/4,2 1/4 and 9 would be used on something that the temp and pressure [of steam or whatever] would require 100 percent x-ray,,how did them 9018 roots do on that?

The only time I ever been around using an xx18 rod used for root was my first inspection job,mild steel,square tubing,structural,,,full blown ohio state welding engineer wrote the procedures,,[square tubing butt welds] had to be all out 7018,,about the thickness of sch 40,6-9 inch square tubing,,open root,7018,,,you talk about a joke,

I had to give the welder tests,6g,,it was a luck test,had nothing to do with skill of the welder,,needless to say if the guy could weld,he got a retest[or two],or they wouldn't have gotten any welders,,and there wasn't a weld like it after test,there was butt weld splices but they had backing. But that was the test the enginner insisted they take,,he even insisted they use 1/8 for root at first,finnaly got him to let them use 3/32,,tests were bent,,[we did maybe a little extra grinding on the coupons],,

Asked him why we couldn't use 6010 for root,he said hydrogen imbrittlement,argued with him,but it did no good,,everybody had to somehow pass that test,,

Thats the only time I ever been around xx18 used for open root,welded from one side.

Heard they had a rod that was low hi that run like 6010,,but never been around it being used,,

 

[Chilly807]

It's an interesting thread, although we ARE wandering from the original.

I use 7018 because I get them almost for free. I have 1/8 7014 that starts and runs a lot better, but nothing yet in 3/32. Next time I'm in the welding supply place I'm going to pick some up.

In the meantime, there's nothing that 7014 will do that 7018 won't, it just requires a little more skill on my part, and I'm ok with that. I need the practice.

I'm looking around for some 6011 when the price is right, every so often they come on sale.

Sean

 

[gtrippleb]

It's an interesting thread, although we ARE wandering from the original.

I happen to come across this article from Lincoln that I thought might provide some information.

MIG vs. Flux-Cored: Which Welding Process Is Right for You? | Lincoln Electric