MIG vs Flux Core

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So on the inside of my Lincoln 100 it gives wire speeds and heat settings for each mig and flux core. However it stops much shorted in thickness when using MIG, I know I could only us .030 wire with mig, and .035 flux. Is that why the thickness listed is only about half that of flux welding? also would pre heating make a difference? I am interested in being able to weld 1/8 tubing. Can I do it with MIG?Thanks for any advice. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Preheating can help, but it's not a cure all for too small a machine. There are plenty of times when too much heat can be detrimental to the weld if you have to heat the whole thing up and some materials are very heat sensitive. If we are talking about noncritical welds, no big deal. However if you are doing critical work, you really need to know and understand a lot more than just warming up the base material so you get decent welds. I'm hesitant to suggest preheat as far too many guys with little to no welding experience think that just because they heat something with a torch, it solves the need for an adequate machine. Small machines are known for making pretty welds with no penetration or strength. Just because you heated the material doesn't mean you got a good weld. Recognizing when a weld is poor and when it's good is very important, and most guys couldn't pick out a good weld from a lineup.As far as settings. FC wire contains flux, just like stick rods do. That flux helps not only shield the weld, but helps increase the heat so you get slightly better penetration. Sort of like the flux on 6011 allows the same size rod to penetrate deeper than say 6013 using the same power.Remember FC wire is hollow and uses less volts for the same size than solid wire. That extra mass in solid soaks up power and reduces the material thickness you can weld..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
Reply:As with all welding, proper joint prep is your friend. Even more so when you don't have power to spare!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Okay then for now it's flux core for me, and good joint prep. The table shows -14 Ga as thickest on mig. I'm going to continue practicing and post some pictures and I'll try cutting some joints in half and post them. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:If I were you, I would work on a lot of open root welding.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:you can weld thicker material with the flux-core because of the change in polarity. flux-core runs with the wire negative which puts more heat into the work piecemiller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:So would I be better off on 1/8 to use my HF stick (80a) ? Or am I okay with the Lincoln flux, and if so what wire should I use? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:You sure could. But what is your skill level with SMAW on such thin material? I've never run anything smaller than .045 SS flux core, but I really like Hobart's 21-B!http://www.hobartbrothers.com/produc...d%26reg%3B+21BDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:weld some test samples and give them the big hammer test. Lincoln says that machine will do 1/8 th material with flux-core wire.miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:Okay to be clear, I have a 110v Lincoln weldpac 100 and a HF 110v dc 80a stick. My skill level beginner or less, but I'm going to practice first. It seems to be agreed that I can do 1/8 th with either. I really like the flus core as opposed to stick, I have some 6011 40-70a rods for the HF and some .035 Lincoln wire for the wire feed. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by boatbuoyweld some test samples and give them the big hammer test. Lincoln says that machine will do 1/8 th material with flux-core wire.
Reply:I'm just a tad bit above a beginner! I would have concerns about welding 1/8-inch thick material with SMAW. I'd take Mig or Tig over SMAW on something that thin. Not saying I can't do it, I'd just be careful with joint prep. And try to weld everything down hill.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:.030 flux core is very capable of doing down to 14ga with no real problems.  Uphill, horizontal flat, horizontal 2G, overhead fillet,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,ie. all positions."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I've done 1/4" with my Lincoln 140c in MIG mode.Full power, middle wire speed, go slow and careful. Watch the puddle!Be mindful of the duty cycle too!Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
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Reply:Well am I getting any better? I'm seeing the puddle, but having trouble keeping an even drag speed. This is my Lincoln 100 on D/2 settings. I completely ran off course on the butt joint. I don't know if I'm old and shakey or just need some more time, but I'm trying. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:But I'm hearing the crackling bacon sound pretty steady nowSent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Your travel speed looks way to fast!You want it to look more like this. 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:Okay I'll try to slow it downSent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:It's hard when your starting out. I mean ur just ****tin ur pants that your doing it and consistency seems impossible. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:I got the HF table on sale, I was just clamping the stock to whatever I could. Was $50Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Does anyone have any timing tricks for speed of drag, or do you have to judge based on the puddle. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by Bluehunter40Does anyone have any timing tricks for speed of drag, or do you have to judge based on the puddle. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:I detest flux core welding. There should be a law against it under 250 amps.What a scam to get brokeazz guys to by a 110 machine.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by Bluehunter40or do you have to judge based on the puddle." completely ran off course on the butt joint. I don't know if I'm old and shakey "Since I've posted no results, I certainly have no right to say this, but, maybe the flip-flops and sparks contributed to your "shakiness"  HeHe. Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press