Gregor 4,846 #1 Posted February 21, 2021 I have a cheap Harbor Freight Mig welder. 220 Volt. It can be run with flux core wire, or solid wire and bottled gas. I have a bottle of 75 / 25 Argon/Co2. The bottle is probably almost 10 years old. For you guys with similar welders, do you use gas, or set your welder up for flux core wire? Also, would the bottle of gas still be good? Thanks Greg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DennisThornton 4,769 #2 Posted February 21, 2021 Gas will last forever! And using it means you don't have to chip slag. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,983 #3 Posted February 21, 2021 I'm no welder, but I got a lot better when I added gas...and also when I went to .024 wire instead of .035... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,500 #4 Posted February 21, 2021 Go gas and never look back. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,801 #5 Posted February 22, 2021 Another vote for gas! So clean! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,028 #6 Posted February 22, 2021 My flux core covers OK on horizontal work inside where there is no air current. Not as good for vertical. Gas provides better cover and works anywhere. No age limit on the gas....only on the bottle. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldWorkHorse 3,045 #7 Posted February 22, 2021 Got this bottle set up for free and compared to my none gas HF this one makes me actually seem like I know what I'm doing! Gas is night and day! Just ran out the other day tho dnt mind the mess on it everything is a shelf in my shop! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,336 #8 Posted February 22, 2021 Gas !! Only way!! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #9 Posted February 22, 2021 Looks as though I have some switching to do tomorrow. Everyone seems to be on the same page. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #10 Posted February 22, 2021 (edited) My , Flux core is for welding outside where breezes/wind will blow the shielding gasses away from the arc puddle, also to use flux core wire correctly the polarity has to be reversed (ground clamp = positive, torch = negative), to make your welds stronger use flux core wire with gas, and any welder 240 volts or less the smaller wire diameters work better less energy needed to "melt", working in a factory using 480 volts and Miller brand welders and .035 wire I could nearly "burn" 1/2" steel. Edited February 22, 2021 by WVHillbilly520H 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregor 4,846 #11 Posted February 22, 2021 So you are saying as long as I switch polarity, (which I knew) I can use the .030 flux core wire that is in it now? I don't know if this little cheap welder has a a one size fits all wire feed wheel, or if it can be switched to .023. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,373 #12 Posted February 25, 2021 https://weldguru.com/best-flux-core-wires/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RandyLittrell 3,877 #13 Posted February 25, 2021 On 2/21/2021 at 8:01 PM, Gregor said: So you are saying as long as I switch polarity, (which I knew) I can use the .030 flux core wire that is in it now? I don't know if this little cheap welder has a a one size fits all wire feed wheel, or if it can be switched to .023. Flux core takes a different wheel, they are kinda knurled to pull the wire through. If you use a regular one it can crush the wire and you will have bad performance. Flux core takes straight polarity or positive ground. That way it heat the metal first. Another option is shielded flux core which can give you some advantages when welding dirty metal. Great youtube channel to watch. https://www.youtube.com/user/weldingtipsandtricks Randy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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