.035 flux core wire quality

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Hey Guys and GirlsNewby type question, but here goesJust wondering if you have found a difference weld quality with different manufacture of 0.035 flux core wire.I have a Lincoln SP175 Plus mig welder and have been running the Lincoln branded wire up until yesterday. With the Lincoln wire I have been getting decent results. But then I ran out and loaded the BlueShield .035 wire to finish the job. (both are mulit pass wire)Same settings same technique same material. And well from the first trigger pull I get a louder crackle and what appears to be a brighter arc, and what looks to be a slightly better result.So the question to everyone.Is there difference in wire quality?Does flux core wire get old?Thanks Harry
Reply:It does not get old.I buy the best price.Dave

Originally Posted by harryn

Hey Guys and GirlsNewby type question, but here goesJust wondering if you have found a difference weld quality with different manufacture of 0.035 flux core wire.I have a Lincoln SP175 Plus mig welder and have been running the Lincoln branded wire up until yesterday. With the Lincoln wire I have been getting decent results. But then I ran out and loaded the BlueShield .035 wire to finish the job. (both are mulit pass wire)Same settings same technique same material. And well from the first trigger pull I get a louder crackle and what appears to be a brighter arc, and what looks to be a slightly better result.So the question to everyone.Is there difference in wire quality?Does flux core wire get old?Thanks Harry
Reply:All flux cored wires are susceptible to moisture entrapment; some more than others.  There are some that are actually seamless vs seamed.  So there are differences in quality, and as you can imagine, the seamless wires aren't affected as much.   So yes, flux cored wires definitely may get old.   This is sometimes seen more easily in gas-shielded flux core where one ends up getting worm-tracks along the top surface;  gas-less flux cored wires don't tend to exhibit this per say, but the slag coverage changes IMO, and there might be a bit of porosity if the wire is really bad.

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Reply:

Originally Posted by Oscar

All flux cored wires are susceptible to moisture entrapment; some more than others.  There are some that are actually seamless vs seamed.  So there are differences in quality, and as you can imagine, the seamless wires aren't affected as much.   So yes, flux cored wires definitely may get old.   This is sometimes seen more easily in gas-shielded flux core where one ends up getting worm-tracks along the top surface;  gas-less flux cored wires don't tend to exhibit this per say, but the slag coverage changes IMO, and there might be a bit of porosity if the wire is really bad.