Gasless Flux Core Welding Tips, Make Better Cleaner Welds
TLDRIn this video, Mike Festiva tests five different flux core wire brands to determine their performance in terms of spatter and welding quality. He uses a Hynade 140 amp flux core welder and evaluates Lincoln, Vulcan, Forney, Yeswelder, and Hynade wires. Tips for beginners include slower travel speeds, proper polarity setup, and longer stick-out for flux core welding. After testing, Forney, Yeswelder, and Hynade wires stand out for their smooth operation and minimal spatter, while Lincoln and Vulcan perform less favorably. A detailed comparison and cleaning process follows, concluding with recommendations for the best flux core wires.
Takeaways
- ๐ The video is a comparison of five different makes and brands of flux core wire for welding.
- ๐ ๏ธ Mike Festiva, the host, recently purchased a Hynade 140 amp flux core welder from Amazon to test different flux core wires.
- ๐ Hynade wire came with the welder and was noticeably shinier and resulted in less spatter than other wires Mike has used before.
- ๐ The video includes a variety of flux core wires: Lincoln, Vulcan, Forney, Yes Welder, and another Hynade wire.
- โ๏ธ A plasma cutter is used to cut coupons for the weld tests, and a DIY water table is mentioned for cleaner cutting.
- ๐ก A key tip is that flux core wire is hollow, requiring a slower travel speed and careful monitoring of the weld puddle.
- ๐ The welder used in the video has a dual voltage feature and auto sets wire speed to voltage, but allows for manual fine-tuning.
- ๐งฒ An important note is that flux core welding should be done with the electrode negative setup, different from solid wire MIG welding.
- ๐ The video suggests having more wire stick out (about half an inch) compared to solid wire welding to avoid spatter.
- ๐ฅ The saying 'if it's got slag, you drag' is highlighted, emphasizing the pulling motion of the flux wire to avoid porosity.
- ๐ After testing, the Lincoln and Vulcan wires were found to be less satisfactory, while Forney, Yes Welder, and Hynade performed better.
- ๐ The final verdict ranks the wires from worst to best based on performance, with Vulcan at the bottom and the top three being very close in quality.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is testing and comparing five different makes and brands of flux core wire for gasless flux core welding.
Why did Mike Festiva decide to test different flux core wires?
-Mike Festiva decided to test different flux core wires after noticing that the Hynade wire that came with his new welder produced less spatter than usual and looked shinier than other wires he had used before.
What็s the Hynade 140 amp flux core welder that Mike purchased?
-The Hynade 140 amp flux core welder is notable for its dual voltage capability, auto setting of wire speed to voltage, and smooth welding performance.
What are the five varieties of flux core wire that Mike tested?
-The five varieties of flux core wire tested are Lincoln, Vulcan, Forney, Yes Welder, and Hynade.
What is the importance of the electrode connection in flux core welding?
-In flux core welding, the electrode connection must be set to DC electrode negative, meaning the MIG gun is negative and the welding clamp is the positive lead, to avoid poor welding results.
What tip does Mike give for welding with flux core wire regarding travel speed?
-Mike suggests welding with flux core wire at a slower travel speed than with solid wire and shielding gas, and to watch the weld puddle closely to ensure proper weld buildup.
What is the significance of the stick out length when welding with flux core wire?
-The stick out length, which can range from a quarter to three quarters of an inch, is important as it affects the welding process; a longer stick out can sometimes increase spatter.
What technique does Mike recommend to avoid incorporating flux inside the weld?
-Mike recommends always pulling the flux wire, never pushing it, to avoid incorporating flux inside the weld which can lead to porosity.
How does Mike evaluate the performance of the flux core wires after welding?
-Mike evaluates the performance by observing the amount of spatter, the evenness of the weld, and the ease of cleaning off the flux after welding.
What is the final ranking of the flux core wires based on Mike's test?
-Based on Mike's test, the final ranking from worst to best is Vulcan, Lincoln, Forney, Yes Welder, and Hynade.
What additional tip does Mike provide for flux core welding?
-Mike suggests cleaning all weld joints with an angle grinder and a flap disc to remove rust, paint, or other contaminants before welding for the best results.
Outlines
๐ฅ Introduction to Flux Core Wire Testing
In this introductory paragraph, Mike Festiva, the host, welcomes viewers back and outlines the purpose of the video: to test and compare five different makes and brands of flux core wire. He discusses the variability in performance among different flux core wires, noting differences in spatter production. Mike also mentions purchasing a Hynade 140 amp flux core welder from Amazon and being impressed by the included flux wire's quality and performance. The video promises to cover tips and techniques for beginners in flux core welding, and Mike introduces the five varieties of wire he has ordered for testing, including Lincoln, Vulcan, Forney, Yes Welder, and Hynade, with a plan to share his favorite by the video's end.
๐ ๏ธ Welding Tips and Wire Performance Examination
This paragraph delves into practical welding advice and Mike's initial experiences with the different flux core wires. He starts by cutting 11-gauge steel coupons for testing and discusses the importance of travel speed and wire feed when welding with flux core wire. Mike then evaluates the Lincoln and Vulcan wires, noting their packaging and appearance, and shares his observations on their performance. He also highlights the necessity of setting up the welder correctly for flux core welding, emphasizing the difference between DC electrode negative and DC electrode positive settings. The paragraph continues with Mike testing the Forney wire, appreciating its packaging and performance, and concludes with a discussion on welding technique, specifically the 'drag' method for flux core wires to avoid porosity.
๐ Comparative Analysis of Flux Core Wires
In this segment, Mike compares the performance of the flux core wires, starting with the Yeswelder and Hynade, which come in vacuum-sealed pouches to prevent moisture damage. He notes the visual appeal and quality of the wires and shares his experience welding with them, emphasizing the smoothness and consistency of the welds. Mike also discusses the importance of cleaning the weld area before starting, as flux core wires are more forgiving with rust or dirty metal compared to MIG welding. He presents his initial impressions of the wires' performance, noting that three of them performed similarly, with one standing out for its smoother operation and fewer spatters. The paragraph ends with a plan to clean the test pieces to better assess the quality of the welds.
๐ Final Evaluation and Recommendations
Mike concludes the video with a final evaluation of the flux core wires tested. He ranks them from worst to best based on his experience, with Vulcan and Lincoln wires being the least favored due to their inconsistent weld beads, poor machine feed, and excessive spatter. The Forney, Yeswelder, and Hynade wires are grouped together as superior options, with Forney standing out for its crisp and smooth operation, and Yeswelder and Hynade for their consistency and minimal spatter. Mike also discusses the affordability of the wires and mentions a discount code for Yeswelder. He wraps up by emphasizing the importance of dialing in the machine settings for optimal performance and provides a link to the Hynade 140 amp dual voltage machine, which he praises for its auto-set feature and value.
๐ Closing Remarks and Viewer Engagement
In the closing paragraph, Mike thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to like, subscribe, and comment if they enjoyed the video. He reiterates the value of the tested flux core wires, especially the top three performers, and assures that links to these products will be provided in the video description. Mike also hints at potential discounts or promo codes for some of the wires and invites viewers to use them if interested. The paragraph ends with a friendly sign-off, looking forward to the next video.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กFlux Core Welding
๐กSpatter
๐กFlux Core Wire
๐กHynade 140 Amp Flux Core Welder
๐กTravel Speed
๐กElectrode Negative
๐กStick Out
๐กSlag
๐กT-Joint
๐กWire Brush
๐กCoupon
Highlights
Mike Festiva tests five different brands of flux core wire to find the best quality for welding.
He recently discovered that not all flux core wires perform equally, with some causing more spatter than others.
The Hynade 140 amp flux core welder purchased from Amazon performed smoothly and came with high-quality flux wire.
The Hynade flux wire was shinier and nicer looking compared to other flux core wires Mike has used.
Mike will be testing Lincoln, Vulcan, Forney, Yes Welder, and Hynade wires, all of .030 size.
Flux core welding requires a slower travel speed than solid wire and shielding gas due to the hollow nature of the wire.
A flux-only welder should be set to DC electrode negative for optimal performance with flux wire.
Forney wire comes in a sealed bag and has a label on the outside of the spool for easy identification.
When welding with flux wire, a longer stick out is recommended compared to solid wire.
Flux wire should be pulled rather than pushed to avoid incorporating flux inside the weld, which can cause porosity.
The Yes Welder wire comes in a vacuum-sealed pouch, ensuring no moisture gets in and maintaining wire quality.
Flux wire is more forgiving with rust or dirty metal compared to MIG welding but cleaning is still recommended for the best results.
After testing, Mike found that three of the wires performed similarly well, but one stood out for its smoothness and crisp feel.
The Lincoln wire left the most spatter and was the most expensive, making it less desirable despite its availability.
The Vulcan wire was found to be the worst performer, with inconsistent weld beads and the most spatter.
Forney, Yes Welder, and Hynade wires were all smooth and consistent, with Forney standing out slightly for its crispness.
Mike provides a detailed comparison of the wire performance, including spatter, weld bead consistency, and smooth operation.
He emphasizes the importance of dialing in the machine settings for optimal welding results.
The Hynade 140 amp machine is praised for its auto-set feature, which works exceptionally well for all tested wires.
Links to the tested wires and the Hynade welder will be provided in the video description for interested viewers.