Hobart Fabshield XLR-8 or ESAB Coreshield-8 ???

admin

Hobart Fabshield XLR-8ESAB Coreshield-8Hey guys, which of these 2 wires do you prefer to run and why, in 1/16" size?This is for a structural job I might have comming up and I was thinking of doing it with fluxcore with the XMT and Suitcase.  If not, I will stick it with 7018, but I wanted to find out which E71T-8 self-shielded fluxcore wire in 1/16" size you guys prefer for your structural jobs.The Hobart seems to be more readily available here locally and comes on a plastic spool in 8" size to fit my Suitcase-8.   I prefer  the plastic spools over  the welded wire spools or cardboard spools.   Generally, cardboard makes too much mess in the machine and the welded wire spools always seem to be beat up when I get them.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Well, I went ahead and ordered the Hobart Fabshield XLR-8 in 1/16" 12 lb 8" plastic spool.  Cost about $42 plus tax and hazmat.   Should be here in about a week.  All they had in T-8 wire was 12" spools so it didn't matter which one I wanted, I was going to have to order it anyways.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:DR,I have welded with both products and prefer the XLR-8.I found that the Coreshield -8 had a narrower range of acceptable settings for voltage and wirefeed speeds.  If you turn the voltage up to the high end of the range called out in the product datasheet, on my shop welder the coreshield - 8 tended to more easily produce wormtracking.I think the XLR-8 is easier to control, especially in vertical up welding.That said, you can get the job done with either one.  The old post by David R, the cell tower project, shows that the Coreshield-8 can get the job done also.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I remember reading that post before.  Just read through it again.  That was quite a job!Well, I thought I ordered the Fabshield XLR-8.. but.. I didn't.  Turns out, they have a 4-roll minimum order.  I just wanted one roll to experiment with and go test on.   I don't have the job yet, so can't afford to buy 4 rolls of the stuff.  Grrrr..MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I vote Hobart, seems to run smoother with less quirks than the ESAB.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingI vote Hobart, seems to run smoother with less quirks than the ESAB.
Reply:I'm going to see if a couple buddies I know wanna split a 4-roll carton of the Fabshield so I can get a roll of it to play with without having to buy all 4.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:in that category i like the NR-233.    in 0.072.  I wont fool with any other diameter self shielded flux core wires.  well i will run some 0.068 NR-211 when i can get away with it.  or some 0.035 when im using the little miller doing handrails.Make sure that the job your bidding on doesn't specify a seismically rated T-8 consumable because if it does the 7018 isn't going to fly.I think the only rod that falls under the fema mandate is one of the Lincoln 7024 variants.Last edited by Dualie; 09-10-2009 at 02:35 AM.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 Duallie.  I'll have to find out the details on the code they want it welded to.   All I know is 7018 and T-8 were thrown out there as likely choices.7024 isn't an all-position rod, so I doubt I would be able to use it for much since I'm sure there will be plenty of out of position joints to fill.Fluxcore wires I normally use are .030 to .045 T-11 and T-GS.   The bigger T-8 wire is new territory for me, as most thicker stuff I stick weld.I'm not sure how much thicker than 1/16" T-8 I can push with my XMT 304 on single phase.   What has your experience been using your XMT's with thicker fluxcore wires, if you use them for that?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:DR,The T-8 wires are a different animal than the small diameter T-11s you're familiar with.  The welding techique is different, but not tough to pick up with a little practice.  I suggest you take a bit of time to try out the wire before you start the job.The specs on your XMT 304 CC/CV power supply, on single phase mains, are 29V  225 Amps, 60% duty cycle.1/16" dia XLR-8 has recommended settings of :FLAT - 22V  265 amps @ 265 IPM WFS,  min 19V 160 Amps 125 IPM WFSVertical - 21V 210 Amps @ 190 IPM WFS, min 18V 160 Amps 125 IPM WFSOverhead - 22V 230 Amps @210 IPM WFS, min 18V 180 Amps 145 IPM WFSThe first numbers are the recommended settings, the second are the minimums.  I'd guess your XMT will run the wire at the low to middle speed ranges OK.  If you weld any long joints and turn up the WFS you'll definitely bump against the duty cycle limits for the power supply.  you might not get the max deposition rates possible with the wire, but I think it should run OK on your XMT.If you can hook into 3 phase power, you'll pick up quite a bit more usable power according to the miller specs. Originally Posted by DesertRider33Thanks Duallie.  I'll have to find out the details on the code they want it welded to.   All I know is 7018 and T-8 were thrown out there as likely choices.7024 isn't an all-position rod, so I doubt I would be able to use it for much since I'm sure there will be plenty of out of position joints to fill.Fluxcore wires I normally use are .030 to .045 T-11 and T-GS.   The bigger T-8 wire is new territory for me, as most thicker stuff I stick weld.I'm not sure how much thicker than 1/16" T-8 I can push with my XMT 304 on single phase.   What has your experience been using your XMT's with thicker fluxcore wires, if you use them for that?
Reply:Thanks, A Dab Will Do.  I'll keep the wire diameter down to 1/16" max then.  Yes, I was planning to practice with it beforehand.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I run them on 3 phase and they usually run them pretty turned up.   The NR-232 is what we mainly run in the field.  if we run them in the shop we try to keep the lead down to a min.  In the field we run them on vantage 500's so not having enough power to run them out there is never a concern.   In fact the big problem is the vantage rarely gets enough load put on it to heat em up good and make em work.we recently started running Ultracore 71C 0.052 in the shop and the boys really like it.  Almost makes laying down UT quality full welds too easy.  The only down side is that you cant weld over it with a self shielded fluxcore in the field so if the shop guys mess up its a real PITA to get it strait in the field.I never seen a roll of the Hobart T-8 wire so i cant comment on it at all.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 for that info, Duallie.   Sounds like the XMT will be 'just enough' to get it done.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op