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Windshield frame, gaps, bubble gum welds - > New General Welding Questions

Trying to make it more convenient for my wife since she likes to.... back seat drive! BAAHAHAHAHAHAH!! :rotfl:
 
Can someone please explain this to me - the chart on my machine shows it’ll weld up to 14 ga with gas and 1/4” without gas. Why the difference? Why can’t it go to 1/4” WITH gas?

Lincoln 135a 110v machine

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Can someone please explain this to me - the chart on my machine shows it’ll weld up to 14 ga with gas and 1/4” without gas. Why the difference? Why can’t it go to 1/4” WITH gas?

Lincoln 135a 110v machine

View attachment 248497

Gas makes it not as hot, it sure of the reason why. But I wouldn't take the guidelines too seriously. You can weld both sides to get thicker stuff, and I regularly can get decent welds on thicker material that I'm supposed to be able to.
 
Current density i believe is the term. Having to do with the flux core wire having a smaller inner core allowing it to heat faster and have higher deposition rates.

They have flux core wire that uses gas too.

If your using flux core do yourself a huge favor. Get anti spatter spray
 
I'm about to buy some flux core and start playing with heavier stuff. Is it worth it to get the gas type flux core or just roll with the regular stuff? Same gas?
 
I'm about to buy some flux core and start playing with heavier stuff. Is it worth it to get the gas type flux core or just roll with the regular stuff? Same gas?

Don't know about anyone else, but gas is the way to go. Don't even use flux core anymore unless it's for something super thick metal. It's way easier to get an decent looking bead with gas.
 
I'm about to buy some flux core and start playing with heavier stuff. Is it worth it to get the gas type flux core or just roll with the regular stuff? Same gas?
Just regular flux core.

And get anti spatter spray
 
Gasless flux core is great if you need to weld in a breezy area, or if you need to drag the machine into a tight spot where the cart and bottle wouldn't go.

Dual shield flux core needs more machine than a 110 volt 135 like that...or I'd run it myself. For information sake only, a nice dual shield flux core is 71M made by Lincoln, and uses 100% CO2 for the shield gas.
 
Thanks guys!

Exactly what I needed, thanks Rene. I'll get some gasless flux core and start practicing on some thicker stuff. Next step is the hard part - buying steel $$$$$ :doah:
 
Flux core is great for in the field welding, or construction sites. I do alot of welding with flux.

That being said that stuff is complete crap. It's sole advantage is being able to cart a welder around minus the bottle to weld something in the field. Other than that it's a nasty looking weld.

It does burn it hot though. Similar to a stick welder sort of. Not great looking alot of the times, but it will melt metal together.
 
Flux core to me, does make your MIG into a wire fed arc welder..the only difference is the wire is continuous instead of in rod form and the flux is inside instead of a coating..
Your right about the crappy looking (but effective) bead from flux core--I have yet to get a decent looking bead out of my Harbor Freight 90 amp "wire feed welder",but I can make a nice one using rods in my arc welder on the same piece of metal..
 
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