SWAG to Flux compatibility?

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Hi everyone,Some time ago i made my own stick welding machine, for home projects and the occasional metal work, it can go up to 1/8 electrodes at a max of 50amps, strangely enough it welds pretty well on 1/8 for only 50amps @ 115~130v.Heres a pic:My reasons for making my own machine are many, but mostly because since i made if from scratch its easy and extremely cheap to repair if needed.As you know electrode welding is very messy and sucks for delicate/fine works, so i was thinking about adding a flux wire adapter as an alternate "mode" for my machine, the thing is, in the place i am right now it's rare to observe an actual flux wire machine at work, i don't think they are even on stock anywhere around, im able to get my hands on steel flux wire tho.My questions would be:Is there anything i should know about flux wire?.What's the difference between electrodes and wire in amperage, limitations and protection measurements?.Im aware of the difference related to wire alimentation, but apart from that, is there any other basic difference to take into consideration?.Thanks in advance!
Reply:Where are you located? FC is used all over, because its fast and easy to do. Also, 50 amps is too low for any 1/8" rod I know of.Fluxcore wire makes a mess, just like stick welding. Both welding processes can be tuned and used in ways that you will get very nice welds.What is it you are trying to do? Might be able to find a stick electrode that would be best for your purpose and machine limitations.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Where are you located? FC is used all over, because its fast and easy to do. Also, 50 amps is too low for any 1/8" rod I know of.Right now im located somewhere around Los Cabos in Mexico, stick welding is very common, flux wire is rare, also, ive used 1/8" rods occasionally on 1/3" thickness steel pieces with very good results, don't know if 50amps shouldn't be enough.Fluxcore wire makes a mess, just like stick welding. Both welding processes can be tuned and used in ways that you will get very nice welds.for what ive googled fluxcore is better for very fine jobs specially on thin steel sheets, my machine has a nob for Amp regulation and no matter how low i set it or how diluted the solution is, it either doesn't ignite the arc or the flame passes thru the sheet way too easy. tried some different electrode types also.What is it you are trying to do? Might be able to find a stick electrode that would be best for your purpose and machine limitations.Im trying to work on thinner steel sheets (Ex. a grill enclosure and such), ive tried the some types of electrodes ive found here, all in 5/32", which is the thinnest i could find (or there is). i dont think sticks or amperage regulation is the solution here.
Reply:How the hell does that even work? That's some McGuyvering **** right thereHobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:Try 5/64 - 1/16 - 3/32" electrodes for thin sheet. 6013 electrodes should give you a nice weld.Wire feed welding uses a different power source (CV) and a wire feeder. Its all going to cost $$.For what you want to do, it seems that a small mig welder would be best for you. It works really well with thin steel and its clean.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:How the hell does that even work? That's some McGuyvering **** right thereHaha, here's a simple diagram of my machine:Try 5/64 - 1/16 - 3/32" electrodes for thin sheet. 6013 electrodes should give you a nice weld.Honestly it's the first time i hear of those diameters, i really doubt i'll find anything below the super common 5/32" in here. but thanks, now i know theres something thinner than 5/32"Wire feed welding uses a different power source (CV) and a wire feeder. Its all going to cost $$.I've studied up close some stick welders, and they are supposed to work also on (CV), so in theory flux wire and sticks have exactly the same dynamics just different consumables?For what you want to do, it seems that a small mig welder would be best for you. It works really well with thin steel and its clean.Ive been told so before, but i think there's got to be a good combination of consumable and amps out there that will be good for my needs. ill have to keep on trying.
Reply:That's a pretty interesting machine you have there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk