Any flux core wire degradation over time?

admin

Went to Lowes to buy flux core wire for first try with new Miller 211.  Price per pound was much higher than I thought, so was considering HF wire, until I read a few reviews and compared prices.  Will be headed back to Lowes  where the flux core is cheaper.But before I buy a 10 pound roll, how does this stuff keep over time.  The solid wire is copper coated to prevent rust; the flux core is not copper coated, but perhaps a different rust preventative is used, I don't know.  Humidity here can be very high in the summer and often in the fall.  If kept for a long period, will humidity take its toll on this wire?  Perhaps 2 pound rolls, although more expensive, might be the wiser choice for the infrequent hobby and fixit welding.Is rusting wire (or anything else not man caused ) a problem?Yes, I have the 75/25 gas but wanted to first try the flux core since my SIL will need some fixit help with an outdoors trailer.  (he's a ex-tig welder so I will put him to the test )Oh, and thanks.
Reply:I don't do a ton of welding, such that a 2lb roll might last me a year or better. Never had any problems with fluxcore degrading over time. I usually have a few rolls on hand, solid and flux, few different diameters. Been sitting around for several years most of them.So I wouldn't sweat it. Next time I buy, I'm going with a 10 pounder since I hate running out...
Reply:I know it sounds strange, but go to your LWS and see if they are cheaper.  On recent aluminum project, I go buy my stuff at the LWS anyways but the 1Lb rolls of 5356 were $7 for Lincoln, which I like their wire a lot.  I was in Northern Tool store the other day and was looking at their Hobart wire, $15 for a 1lb roll of 5356.
Reply:As long as your in a semi dry climate i think you will be fine.  You might want to forget about buying wire at home depot and visit your local welding supply.  Cant go wrong with Lincoln Nr-211 for general porous Flux core welding.the T-8 wires Like NR-232, NR-233, and Esab coreshield 8 will go bad overtime if exposed to excess moisture.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Thanks.  Good idea to check LWS since that is where I bought the welder, which was actually cheaper than on line, except the tax made it slightly higher.  And a price break on the cylinder and 75/25 made it even better.So, I understand that the Lincoln Nr-211 will be ok over time.
Reply:well not knowing the storage conditions/local climate and a hundred different variables i will give you a maybe, or a most likelyVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:DualieYou stated general porous...did you mean general purpose?  Either can be correct but hopefully its not the first.  If so, I need to stay with gas.  BTW the climate here is wet to supersaturated in August  and changing to just high humidity other times of the year, except for winter when it is frequently lower than 50%.
Reply:I'm sure he meant 'purpose', not porous.  I keep the wire in a plastic bag with some of those moisture sucking dessicant packets in there if I have a partial roll I'm not intending to use for awhile for whatever reason.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Its not THAT humid here in Tn folks, tho a couple fish did get lost from the pond this morning and swam around the back yard for a few hours till they found it again!
Reply:Yes, great minds think alike...plastic bag and dessicant.  Came to me this morning too, and have the bag and have the dessicant (when my tools arrive with the dessicant, I keep the stuff, and now I know how it can be used.)
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33I'm sure he meant 'purpose', not porous.  I keep the wire in a plastic bag with some of those moisture sucking dessicant packets in there if I have a partial roll I'm not intending to use for awhile for whatever reason.
Reply:I bought a 10lb spool in 2001 when I got my first welder and used it for a couple weeks and then switched to gas. I never planned on using it again so I just hung it on a nail in my parents garage. Well 8 years and a few welders later I found bought my passport plus and a 1lb spool. I was repairing a dumpster  and didn't think the little spool would be enough so I went to my parents and picked up that old spool. Never did use the little spool just started with the big one.I don't know if the wires are a little different because they are to different brands but the old spool welds 100 times better than the new one. Actually I started a project with the new spool and switched to the old one and cut out the welds and re did them because they were so bad that new spool is going in the garbage. Unless someone else wants it then they can have it.