MIG Advice for Practicing w/ or without Gas

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Hey Guys. I found the forum researching MIG welders. I wanted some expert opinions on the most efficient/cost effective way to get some practice. I purchased a new Eastwood 175 full kit on craiglist from someone shutting down their shop and I want to get some practice in before I waste good material. My main question is whether or not to use gas or fluxcored wire to practice and make some simple racks, yard tool hangers,etc... before moving on to my intended project modifying my utility trailer. Is it worth buying some fluxcore so I don't waste gas or should I just get gas and be done??What is the ballpark gas consumption that a MIG consumes? What size bottle should I start with once I start using gas? Thanks for the help.
Reply:You will get different results from flux core and gas!Get both and try them out.  Mig is super simple, some call them metal glue guns! LOLAEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:I'd suggest you learn and practice with the wire you plan to use most. If you plan to do most of your welding with solid wire and gas, go that route. If you plan to do most stuff with FC wire, then use that. They weld a bit different and the  flux in the FC wire will obscure the puddle and make it harder to see vs solid wire/gas. Both FC wire and solid wire/gas have their advantages/disadvantages. You need to think about which one will work best for the projects you have in mind.As far as gas consumption. Usually you set your gas flow in CF per hour. 15-25 CFH is average, so if you set it at say 20CFH, a 40 cf cylinder will last about 2 hours of weld time. Gas is cheapest per CF in larger cylinders. A larger percentage of the smaller cylinder is tied up in Haz Mat. fee's, transport and handling charges and so on. You pay the same usually for that with a small cylinder as you do with a bigger one. Also keep in mind the time it will take you to go get refills and the fact that most gas suppliers are not open on weekends. That means if you want to do a bunch of welding on a weekend your cylinder needs to be large enough. It's a pain to use 1/2 to 1/3 of a 40 cf cylinder, then have to pay for a full fill, simply because you know you need a full cyl to do a weekend project, or run the risk you won't get done. I'd go with at least a 60 cf if not an 80cf cylinder for most hobbyists. Originally when I started out I had a small 40 and quickly upgraded it to a 60cf then added a "spare" 80cf for projects. Seemed like I was always running out for gas.I'll toss out the usual safety cautions since I don't know what sorts of "mods" you have in mind for the trailer. Structural mods on trailers are NOT learning projects. You are a very long ways away from altering tongues, frames, suspension components and so on. If your plans are simple like repairing fenders, light mounts, adding a weed wacker rack etc, those are usually ok as long as you are moderately competent with your welds..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan