Wire advice for project

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I've got a backyard swingset project for my daughter going on and a millermatic 211 on the way. I will be welding this in place in the backyard. My question is should I look into some flux core or dualshield wire. I have two rolls of solid .035 coming, I will be getting some gas next week. Material is mainly 3x3x.250 square tubing with some thinner gusset steel. I would stick weld it but my out of position stick welding sucks. I would rather do it with mig. As long as the wire doesnt go bad I dont mind buying a #10lb spool of wire as I do see working outside on farm equipment on occasion.If nothing else I guess I could block the wind and use the solid wire. Just worried about strength.
Reply:3 inch by 3 inch with a 1/4 inch thick wall?Planning on using it to pull engines later in its life?Or is the material free?If it was me I would "Block the Breeze" and solid core it.But if you are talking "Block the Wind" then I would flux core it.
Reply:Flux core wire would serve you well.  No screwing around with wind block.It's common and available almost everywhere.Your miller will have the parameters listed for running it.Likely E71T-11 flux core will be listed for it.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Lincoln NR-212 or Hobart Fabshield 21B. Welds pretty much like stick, so you'll need to practice your out-of-position welding anyway. JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Good point John, out of postition problems don't get fixed by buying a mig - though it is a little easier Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I've done some out of position mig welding and it turned out pretty decent(uphill and overhead). I've stayed in practice with a mig, I dont stick weld enough to be very good with it. I thought I could at least do uphill with stick, the last time I tried (just some sealing welds)it wasnt pretty. I need more practice but this isnt the job for it.The breeze's have been pretty calm lately so I might be able to get away with solid core. I would like to have some flux core on hand should I need it one day.I did buy the steel but compared to a prebuilt wood or metal swingset I've came away cheaper so far, plus if I need to pull an engine sometime it's there and capable. I would rather spend a little more money up front and have it overkill than have someone get hurt later.I have a Thermal arc Pwee 160s and a Lincoln invertec 300 pro (that the amp meter is acting up on) along with several sizes of 7018 but I dont trust my out of position welds with them. I have several 1/8" 6010's as well but I've never ran them out of position.Last edited by bigtater; 08-04-2013 at 10:32 PM.
Reply:Hey that will make a great title for another post "Used my kid's swingset for an engine hoist"  Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I will put up some pictures when I get done with it
Reply:I generally prefer solid to FC wire given a choice. I'd weld as much as possible inside and then assemble it in place, possibly even using ( GASP ) bolts.  If I had to weld in place, I'd use solid and on a semi calm day erect a wind break.One thing that hasn't been mentioned but that bears pointing out. Your MM211 has the power to weld 1/4", but only on 230v power. If you are dragging this across the lawn to weld in place, I'd guess you are going to try and run it on 110v power. Not a good choice if you are serious about using this in the future for overhead lifting. On 110v power you will get the most penetration using FC wire, but the additional penetration won't make that much of a difference, especially if a long extension cord drops your output. At best this is still an 1/8" max machine on 110. 110 is fine with good prep for a kids swing set, but not for serious structural use. The comments about possible poor penetration and poor weld when welding out of position plus the lack of input power on 110v would be just asking for trouble..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Don't forget the bottoms of the tubing will need some sort of base/cap or they will sink into the ground.
Reply:Going to run the 211 on 220V. Picked up 75ft of 6/3 SO cable so I could get there. After using the 110V wire welder at work I wouldnt dream of using 110 on anything other than sheetmetal.  I have caps on the legs of my A frame already,(waiting to get the 211 setup to finish sealing the bottom up)  thats where I was reminded that I don't need to do out of position work with a 7018. The legs will be set in concrete, so the plate is just big enough to seal the tubing and keep the water out. The top will be sealed after it's setup and welded in place. I'm thinking of putting a few oz's of thin oil in each leg to help stop rust. One side will be attached to wood 6x6's. I figured it would be much easier to build a deck and attach a slide that way.Last edited by bigtater; 08-05-2013 at 02:42 PM.
Reply:KEEP IT SIMPLE....SIR!!!  The KISS principle.  Stay with .030 flux core wire.  May I suggest Lincoln brand????  Dual shield is for larger machines and when one is building a sky scrapper.  Not a child's swing set.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcKEEP IT SIMPLE....SIR!!!  The KISS principle.  Stay with .030 flux core wire.  May I suggest Lincoln brand????  Dual shield is for larger machines and when one is building a sky scrapper.  Not a child's swing set.
Reply:Not sure you can get an 0.030 self shielded fluxcored wire from anybody.  0.035" diameter is the smallest I'm familiar with.  Get a spool of Hobart Fabshield 21B or Fabshield 23.  Either will get this job done without worrying about the wind spoiling your welds.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Lincoln NR-211 is made in .030 but I wouldn't use it on .250 wall tubing. .035 or .045 flux-core or .035 hard wire for that machine, IMHO.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedLincoln NR-211 is made in .030 but I wouldn't use it on .250 wall tubing. .035 or .045 flux-core or .035 hard wire for that machine, IMHO.John