Wire or stick?

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I need to make some repairs to a 14000 lb dump trailer. Steel would run from 3/16 to 3/8 thick. I need to start practicing on running the beads needed. My buzzbox can run up to 140 amps DC  which would let me run 6010. Is there a flux cored wire I could use in my Renegade which would offer the same penetration the 6010 would? I figure penetration is essential here. Should I just do the whole repair with 6010? Also have just bought 7018 but need to practice a lot with them as well. Appreciate all info.I need to add that the trailer in question never leaves my property and is moved at a max of 5 mph,otherwise I would call in a pro from the start.
Reply:Repair on old possible rusty or painted steel has my vote for 6010. Less material preparation and depending on repair location it might be easier to use a rod instead of trying to get a mig gun in there.
Reply:I agree with BD1 also using 6010 less prep and a dirtier parent metal. Plus the 6010 can get in tight spaces just realized BD1 said that....Whatever you feel you are comfortable doing. Plus the 140 should be all you need for the 6010. good luck! maybe do a couple of roots with 6010 then cap with the 7018. use 1/8 electrodes. IMOVictorPraxairAir LiquideMillerLincoln Electric
Reply:What is it your welding on the dump trailer? Is is the bed or is it some part of the under frame?JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Sheetmetal- wire.  Structurals-stick."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Stick weld absolutely. This is the perfect application for stick. Throw the wire feeder to the side and grab the always trustworthy rod. I am a proud supporter of stick welding and I approve this message!
Reply:If it's a factory made trailer every weld on it was hard wire from the factory. If what your welding is mild steel there is no reason for anything else unless your welder lacks the power to do the job. If you only have flux core capability then I would go stick.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Originally Posted by AndrewDavenport89Stick weld absolutely. This is the perfect application for stick. Throw the wire feeder to the side and grab the always trustworthy rod. I am a proud supporter of stick welding and I approve this message!
Reply:HAHAHA wtf  why ya gotta be so rude haha! OH and from the looks of it, that hood you have there looks like it was made when the first cellulose rod came out  !!! That hood made money through stick welding
Reply:Originally Posted by AndrewDavenport89HAHAHA wtf  why ya gotta be so rude haha! OH and from the looks of it, that hood you have there looks like it was made when the first cellulose rod came out  !!! That hood made money through stick welding
Reply:Originally Posted by welderjIf it's a factory made trailer every weld on it was hard wire from the factory. If what your welding is mild steel there is no reason for anything else unless your welder lacks the power to do the job. If you only have flux core capability then I would go stick.
Reply:It looks like 6010 wins by more than a muddy nose. Thanks for the help.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammAsked the new pup about this   Bear in mind, he's not really a good welder, but he's got a nose for the truth (even though there's a little mud on it right now).He paw-sed, and thought about it.Well Sam, I know you're partial to stick welding (and chocolate cake), but I gotta say....................If'n I had a good wire welder, and some flux core............another paw-se.........I'm thinking that it would be better than hard wire.  Way better if'n it was Dual Shield.It's a ruffffff question for a pup, but he's probably smarter than your average pup.  At least he's smarter than your average.........................................Given 180amps (the OP's wire machine), he'd (the pup) be hard pressed to say that MIG was better than flux core, but ya know he's just a dawgAnd, to make a long tail short............seems to me that most shops generally tend towards gas shielded flux core when sticking stuff together that's thicker than paper towels.Getting up around 3/8 material, me, and the pup, think that the OP is probably better off with the old stick machine.
Reply:People who bad mouth mig, are usually ones who can't run a mig gun.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:I see no problem with the process of mig being used for this case. I would be more worried about the question being thrown out in the first place but that was somewhat addressed in the op.
Reply:Not being an expert,,,,,,,,,,,  The guy has an 180amp machine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...calculator.php  220amps seems to be a bit more than 180amps"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:People who bad mouth mig, are usually ones who can't run a mig gun.
Reply:So, let's talk about something that's reasonable for the OP.He's got a machine capable of 180amps.I don't do gas shielded flux core because I work outside.Anyways............I was talking with some friends, and we were talking about stickout.  Flux core stickout.I'd forgotten where my LN-25 was set the last time I used it.  Was when I glued the floor on my flatbed trailer.  NR211-MP.  A common wire for most folks.I finally had to actually go out to look at the machine to remember where it was set.  The wire speed was at 125ipm.I sorta remembered that the Ranger was set about #5 in the 14-22v range.  This was untraceable because I'd stick welded with the Ranger since then, and it was set on the stick mode.So, me being me, and Don and the guys being folks I respect...............I had to run a few setup beads to verify that I hadn't lost my memory.  (I'm at the age where early onset Alzheimers is possible)Set it up at 125ipm, midway on the range, .035 Innershield.TOO MUCH VOLTAGE.  I'm getting porosity at the beginning of the weld, until I start to run faster.  So it's hotter than I like to weld, although it would be fine for someone used to a higher travel speed.  And it's got enough heat to chew up the 1/4 plate at the ends of the weld.  Good penetration at least.Nuther bead at the same setting, now I'm ready to run faster, and still chewing up the metalI dialed it back to run the way I like it to run, at the speed I like to travel, and hot enough for my liking.So F your MIG at these amps, which are available to the OP.  Look up your parameters to verify this, it's not my job.Last edited by farmersamm; 04-20-2015 at 08:46 PM."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Ya, forgot about the stickout issue we were discussing...............I run shorter than recommended, but it runs good for me.  BTW.......shorter stickout means more amps in the weld."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by IslandWeldingKidhere we go again....Like i said above, go with what you feel most comfortable and confident with!!!!!! 6010 seems like a good route or root get it!
Reply:Originally Posted by welderjThis is the best advice given. Since its only mild steel what ever process he uses will be stronger that the steel if he gets a goid weld. So use whatever you feel you can get the best weld from.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammSome guys feel perfectly comfortable with a 3" pecker.  Might feel good to the owner of said pecker, but it don't get the job done.
Reply:Tell that to yer wife"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Hey man, gotta bounce (saw that [bounce] while watching "Breaking Bad", thought it was cool), you take it easy, and be safe on the road "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopPeople who bad mouth mig, are usually ones who can't run a mig gun.The trick with Mig, or any wire feed when structurally welding. You gotta run as hot as you can handle it.Several years ago I did some fillet weld break tests, here are the results. 6013 = 3-blows6011 = 8-blows7014 = 10-blows6010 5P-Plus = 10-blowsTig = 13-blows7018 (cold) = 18-blows7018 (hot) = 23- blowsL-56 Mig wire = 29-blows Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPThe trick with Mig, or any wire feed when structurally welding. You gotta run as hot as you can handle it.Several years ago I did some fillet weld break tests, here are the results. 6013 = 3-blows6011 = 8-blows7014 = 10-blows6010 5P-Plus = 10-blowsTig = 13-blows7018 (cold) = 18-blows7018 (hot) = 23- blowsL-56 Mig wire = 29-blows
Reply:Originally Posted by AndrewDavenport89Whos to say you just cant weld stick good?
Reply:Lol, well at least we are honest about things! What was your amp difference between cold and hot 7018? Do you remember?
Reply:Originally Posted by AndrewDavenport89Lol, well at least we are honest about things! What was your amp difference between cold and hot 7018? Do you remember?
Reply:Ahhh I see. baked or not baked. gotcha! I should have sat back and thought for a second. I was thinking he was running one hotter than the other to see the different characteristics in amperage for the break test.