Best all around flux core wire.

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I'm looking for the best all around self shielding flux core wire. I'm doing more work out in the field some of which can be abrasion resistant plate and I'm looking for a good flux core for out of position work. I'm getting tired of having to use 7018 on these long out of position welds that I'm doing (plus it's taking to much time). Self shielding is needed do to the wind factor around here. I'd prefer running it in my 8VS feeder off my Miller Legend in CC mode if I can find the right wire.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:For general welding I've always had good luck with Hobart's 21-B, and Lincoln's NR-212. If you want to go up a notch or two, there is NR-232, 233.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:i like the Lincoln NR-211 it creates good welds and easy to remove slag the hobart E71T-11 is also really good wireLincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R
Reply:Hmm. Interesting. NR212 is listed in the low alloy but the NR232 and NR233 are listed in the mild steel area. Looks like NR232, NR233 only come in large wires for thick metal. While some of what I'm welding I believe to be abrasion resistant plate nearly all of it is around 3/16 to 5/16" thick so they would be over kill for that.   Looks like the Hobart wire and NR212 have similar specs. So far they look the best for my needs. With the NR211 running second.  Thanks. I've got just enough experience with flux core to know that having the right wire makes all the difference. Now if I can just get my LWS to get me some of the right wire.Last edited by irish fixit; 09-02-2011 at 07:14 PM.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:The 211, 212, and 21-B will run great on your CC machine. 232, 233 you'll want a CV machine.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPThe 211, 212, and 21-B will run great on your CC machine. 232, 233 you'll want a CV machine.
Reply:Here's some 212 ran with a 60 year old shorthood. Vertical, flat, and overhead. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Wow. Nice looking beads. I'm definitely going to have to see about getting some.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I didn't think the Lincoln 212 was multi pass capable and had a narrower base metal thicknesss range. Awhile back I ran Desert Rider thru the ringer with questions. He was VERY helpfull. I ended up trying the Hobart 21B and it runs GREAT for the little I've done with it."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manI didn't think the Lincoln 212 was multi pass capable
Reply:Here is my question, how do the e71t-11 wires hold up? They are not seismic rated with no charpy tests. I have never run that wire but have run the gs ones which are similar from what i understand. You mention quarry work also so is this wire going to handle impacts like 7018 is so well known for or is it more like 6010, 6013, 7014? From what I thought there was no wire made in small diameters like .035 that were good for impact or high charpy values.Millermatic 252Lincoln 175 plusTA 185tswTA 161stlhypertherm pmax 45Victor torchHenrob torchAn S10 for each day of the week
Reply:Excellent question! I surely don't have the answer. Never taken a bend test with 212, taken numerous 1 inch bend tests with 21-B, and never failed one. But that has nothing to do with impact.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Hmm. Well looking at the sheet that CEP posted it states right on it not suitable for welds requiring charpy V test.   Ouch. I knew this wasn't going to be easy which is why I posted the question. There's way to many products and requirements.  Looks like there's several wires in 5/64" size that have good impact but I don't see any Lincoln wires smaller that say anything about it (yet anyway).Last edited by irish fixit; 09-02-2011 at 09:44 PM.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Well thats the thing, some claim only difference between t1 and t11 wires is that the t1 wires are charpy tested and approved so they can be used where impact strength is needed. It would be nice if a third party did a charpy on them so we had an idea.Millermatic 252Lincoln 175 plusTA 185tswTA 161stlhypertherm pmax 45Victor torchHenrob torchAn S10 for each day of the week
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitLooks like there's several wires in 5/64" size that have good impact but I don't see any Lincoln wires smaller that say anything about it (yet anyway).
Reply:I would definitely have to get my big welder and XMT304 to run 1/16" 233 based on the specs I read. It also looks like it might be a little on the hot side for the thin stuff I'm having to weld. I was having a bugger of a time welding overhead on one hopper the other day with 1/8" 7018. But I didn't want to have to take the man lift down to change to 3/32". I could handle the gaps and thin metal in all other positions fine but the short section of overhead was another story.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Maybe get a roll of .045 Hobart 21-B to try, I was always impressed at how much yield that wire has.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I'll probably try it. I may have to mail order it to get any but we'll see. I'd definitely like to try some even if it's for other jobs.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by CEP3rd line, upper left hand corner.
Reply:Lincoln NR-232 & 233 are D1.8 seismic lot waiver approved for building work , NR -311 NI is also approved for this and A-588 color match. NR-211 is mild steel and NR-212 is alloy steel but not approved . For flat and horizontal D1.8 NR-305 is approved . We are now doing PQR's for Outershield 91-K-2H -1/16"  for welding HPS-70W for the Transportation Hub Have to use 95-5 to keep the CVN up . Our std FCAW is1/16 Outershield 71 Elite . John
Reply:If your just venturing into the world of self shielded wires i would say your best bet is NR211 in .068  For farm code welding its your best bet.     For 10 years we welded up seismic connections with NR-211 until after the northridge quake then they started switching over to NR-232.  IF you never welded with NR-232 your going to want to run A LOT of it in the shop before you get out into the field and find out its NOTHING like any other rod or wire.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:Also if your machines are not CV capable and 300+ amp rated NR-211 in an Ln-25 will run decent on CC where NR-232, NR-233, and Coreshield 8 will give you nothing but fits and make you want to smash your feeder with a sledgehammer.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:I use a lot of Nr 233 on abrasion resistant plate. It has a low enough hydrogen rating it works well and welds are smooth and easy to clean. Just pre heat ar plate to about 350to 400 and it will likely never let you down. keep a 1 inch stick out and a good downward angle even for vert up and you will like it. just my .02
Reply:NR-211, or Hobart 21-B, both have served me well.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixit Now if I can just get my LWS to get me some of the right wire.Originally Posted by tenpinsyeah. you can get NR211 at home depot. That should tell you something.
Reply:Originally Posted by tenpinsyeah. you can get NR211 at home depot. That should tell you something.
Reply:Depends on what you're used to welding with.I tried NR211 because I generally like Lincoln consumables, and I was disappointed.  It runs way too "cool".I'm used to stick primarily, and like a wire with "bite".Weldmark, Blue Demon, and Best Welds (All sort of off the chart "after market" types of wire" offer the best current carrying capacity it seems.  Good penetration and flow out.I prefer running just on the edge of burnthrough, and prefer a hot wire.  You can always turn fluxcore down, but it's difficult to turn it up.  It will start to burn back into the gun at higher voltages, unlike MIG wire.NR211 also exhibits the same tendancy as other Lincoln consumables.  It starts to run way cold the longer it's run.  As it heats up the current carrying capacity drops off too much.  This can be compensated for with sitck, but is hard to do with a semi automatic process.  You can't stop mid weld and turn the machine up with wire.  Whereas you can vary travel and rod distance with stick.The general rule with all fluxcore seems to be keeping the tip as close as possible to the work.  Keep stickout to a bare minimum."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Sam I've read your post twice, and I still don't understand it!I've run 5/64-inch NR-211, and 21-B in excess of 450-amps for days, and days without any problems. I generally keep about 1/2 to 3/4-inch stick out.I'd say you have a wire feeder problem.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I've also had good luck with hobart 21b. I've used it in .045, 1/16th and 5/64ths, and I found it was very easy to control and made for a nice weld.I used a lot of coreshield 8 in 1/16th and I really don't like it.
Reply:Note:NR-211-MP wire has maximum workpiece thickness limits (per Lincoln).0.045 and smaller wire = 5/16 inch MAX workpiece/plate thickness limit0.068, 5/64", and 3/32" wires = 1/2 inch MAX workpiece/plate thickness limitNR-212 is rated for plate up to 3/4 inch thick, single-pass or multi-pass.Doesn't matter how many passes you want to do, those wires have MAX plate thickness limits.Several of the Lincoln Innershield wires are seismic-rated and FEMA rated.  NR-232 and NR-203-MP in 0.068" size are some of those 'rated' wires (there are others as well).E71T-8 wires are Charpy rated @ -20F (20 ft-lb minimum), E71T-8-J wires are Charpy rated @ -40F (20 ft-lb minimum).NR-232 is E71T-8, all-position, and seismic/structural 'rated'.  NR-203-MP is E71T-8-J, all-position, and seismic/structural 'rated'.Stick-out varies depending on the wire and wire size being used.  For 'small' FCAW wires, that is usually around 1/2-5/8 inch stickout, bigger FCAW  wires may call for 3/4 inch or 1 inch or 1-1/4 inch stickout or more.  So RTFM.    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPMaybe get a roll of .045 Hobart 21-B to try, I was always impressed at how much yield that wire has.
Reply:I asked my LWS to order me a roll of it today. We'll see how well they do getting it to me.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitI asked my LWS to order me a roll of it today. We'll see how well they do getting it to me.
Reply:Originally Posted by Old SkoolI've run a bazillion spools of 21-B in the field, did a set of loader bushings with it this morning, Hobart states for general use non-critical welds. For anything 3/8" & over we use a little pre-heat & never have had any problems.
Reply:Heck i passed my first 1" side bend with NR-211.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.