Wire Speed MIG -vs- FCAW

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Can someone tell me why I have to run my wire speed about double when welding 1/8" with MIG than when I am using FCAW?Seems like a waste of material when using mig.  You also have to move a lot faster which makes for errors.Thanks!
Reply:Hey Malich, what chart are ya using anywho?? LOL.Or are you doing it by what you see at the bead? Altho I may not have the same mig as you do the characteristics should be at least similar.  If using the same dia of wire on the same thickness there will be some differences from solid and flux core but not double the speed. Right/wrong?Maybe this is whats going on. Flux does give a little better penetration, provides a small amount less filler and generates more molten base metal to work with than solid. You may be trying to acheive the same amount of penetration visually with the solid as you see with the flux thus cranking the amps up to get there. If so, it ain't gonna happen in a direct comparison scenario. Cranking up the wire speed is one way of getting more penetration with solid and gas alright but then you'll have to deal with the larger HAZ and the big bead profile.  Turn it back down to the area of the charts, change the fit-up to allow for the difference in penetration (getting penetration in a different way) and try it for a while. Same results, just a different way of getting there is all.I do like the flux core tho."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Actually, the door chart on my MM210 recommends a wire speed setting of 20 with .035 flux-core and 40 with .035 solid wire on .175 stock.  Remeber that flux-core runs on DCEN, which is a hotter process, than gas shielded wire (DCEP).Hank
Reply:Originally posted by hankj Actually, the door chart on my MM210 recommends a wire speed setting of 20 with .035 flux-core and 40 with .035 solid wire on .175 stock.  Remeber that flux-core runs on DCEN, which is a hotter process, than gas shielded wire (DCEP).Hank
Reply:My Lincoln Pro Mig 175 calls for the following:For 1/8" mild steel using FCAW with a .035 wire:Voltage: C wire speed 2.5For 1/8" MIG using a .030 wireVoltage: E wire speed: 7.5NOw you can see where my problems come in for welding 1/8" tubing.I think I will cal Lincoln and see what they have to say.Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:Sandy,One reason is that the MM175 has wire speed tracking.  Changing the voltage also changes the wire speed, so the representation is not quite the same as a tapped machine with independedt voltage and wire speed sttings.Hank