Is there a BIG difference in welding with...
 

I have a mig welder that I got about 2 yrs ago. Its a flux core wire model. Now it has a regulator and fitting to convert it to a solid core shielding gas unit. Is it worth the switch? I can't get a solid bead out of this thing the way it is.It can only spot weld. Any thoughts?

Switch it over fast. Welding with the flux coated wire is a joke. Very few people I've ever heard got it to work.

I''ve only been doing this for a couple of years off and on myself so take this with a grain of salt..but...You're not gonna magically start welding solid beads if you can't now just by switching to gas if that's what you mean.
On the other hand, yes, there is quite a lot of difference in the appearance of the welds. The gas will require less cleanup and the welds will be generally prettier..
Get good at the flux core by practicing a lot then switch to the gas setup and you'll feel like a pro.
Personally, I had no problems doing some practice welds with the flux wire...Just had to do quite a bit of grinding to smooth them out.

For sheet metal MIG is way easier to control and has less penetration and heat that flux-core, and as mentioned has less to clean up, hardly any spatter, etc.

Where flux core is useful is welding angle iron, flat bar, etc, where a machine is a bit on the small side to weld with MIG, as the extra heat and penetration of flux core gives you a better weld. Flux core is also better for welding in a windy area since you don't need to worry about the gas blowing away.

Do the conversion..You probably have a small 110 volt Lincoln mig set-up right?The gas will make for a better appearing weld.Just do it, you wont be dissapointed.

We swapped my buddies welder to argon mix and he was very pleased with his "little" welding machine.It works fine for the type of welding he does at home,works like a champ I think.
Go grab some scrap metal and practice, practice , practice.

yep your right Shark,thats what I have. I'm good at welding,took it in tech school, then I worked at U-haul welding truck frames,so I know its the machine not me. It could be that I'm rusty but I'm almost imbarassed how bad the beads look. I wanted it to weld some small holes in my frame,and some truck patches but I can't get it to pentrate well or get a constant bead. I'm bevel both edges but still can't.Thanks for the advice,looks like another 200 bucks out the door....lol

We found a couple of used tanks (3)on craigslist for $30. I think he paid $45 for the regulator kit, $30 bucks for some new wire and $35 bucks to fill 1 tank with the argon mix.
I used his welder to fab and weld some 3/8 brackets on his frame for some air bags (4000 lbs. car). The plan was to weld it good enuff at home to drive it to the shop and reweld it with a 220 volt mig. Didnt have to, 3 passes with the welder at 15 psi.and it worked great. I had it on the highest setting with the wire feed at max and the beads looked perfect. I was very surprised at the results with the little machine on that material thickness.
My other friend picked up the same machine at home depot, no gas, and the results were pathetic.The penetration was eratic and splatter everywhere.

Bevel that metal and give it a good root pass, that machine will work.Good luck.

One thing I can tell you, experienced welders can't just pick up one of these small welders and go to town. A former employee of mine had training and welded camper frames for a few years. He said welding the old automotive stuff was like nothing he had ever done. Where he was used to pushing welds, the small welder and thinner metal required him to learn to pull the welds. We used to have a 110 welder without gas, we could get a nice bead, it just had excessive slag and a few small pop marks.

paint job, body work and partial resto on 78TA
 

Hello all,
I am a novice and into a major cosmetic job on my black TA. I hope to get some advice along the way. Gonna try to send some pics of my progress. I am new to here. I had some login problems for some time. Thanks PB

Sorry Matt didn't mean to crash your thread. I should have started my own. Your thread is helpful to me cause I'm just getting ready to attempt some MIG welding also with a millermatic. i guess i'll use shielding gas also. PB

mig welders
 

I agree with using shielding gas, for heavier duty work I use a stick welder. Any comments on breathing protection? All those vapours can't be good for you!

Matt1970pon,

Do you have the polarity correct? + - poles get switched when changing from either type of welding.
Also while you tune your welder on a scrap piece of similar gauge sheet metal your welding adjust the wire feed while your welding. You want the sound of sizzeling bacon.

Its my understanding fux core is ideal for welding outside in the wind or slight wind. Never use sheilding gas outside. Even a light wind will cause the bead to be :gag:

As Lemans mentioned ,swap the polarity on your machine when you go to a gas set-up or your machine will work like crap. Check your owners manual.

And as mentioned always give it a practice go with a similar piece of metal. But gas IS the way to go.

and as far as fumes go,I been welding for years, stick, mig, and tig, with no Ill affects.Well maybe except for my hair loss, skin cancer,multiple lung transplants, and double vision...
JUST WELD IT MAN!

Oh boy...We really need the option to edit back.....LOL

Even with the right polarity flux core is crap. I 've ran out of gas and switched to just stop and wait till I get more gas. I have a miller 110 that does a great job. Run about 15 lbs. pressure inside. Outside in the wind can be a problem. These welders need a clean-rust free metal to work great.