XJwonders

u can't use argon gas with flux cored wire, because it need the oxygen to trigger the chemical reaction so the flux core can do its job of protecting the welds.

So to run it, u ll have to reverse the polarity and all that stuff

StuckBuck

Unless you also have a tig machine i would stay away from argon its expensive. 75/25 is about as simple as it gets for gmaw. It sounds like you are making it too hard for yourself with the wire situation, go get some .030 and it should be fine for all the applications you plan on using it for.

StuckBuck

Also i would suggest not beveling it since your welding thick to thin you should penetrate the tube side plenty. Also being a new welder if you bevel it you will probably burn though the lower side of the bevel before you are able to get the right penetration on the top plate. Just my 2 cents!

XJwonders

I would strongly recommend beveling it... If he burns though. He can do a second pass and it ll make it stronger

TwistedWrench

Man, honestly you're severely over thinking this. If you're set up for argon, use it. Spool of std(non flux core) wire, grab some scrap metal, and get welding! All we can do is give pointers, but you can't tell somebody how to weld. It comes from feel, that come from practice.

If you burn through, lower the heat/raise your wire speed.

Popping, boogery welds/lack of penetration? Raise the heat/lower the speed.

Everything else is a result of what your hands are doing. There's wire speed, then there's your speed & rhythm, and that's just something you've gotta get a feel for. Weld scrap to other scrap. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat. When you can consistently keep that sizzle going, start on your bumper.

When I'm at the range with a new shooter, I don't clutter up their brain with "this trigger vs that trigger" or the pros and cons of the myriad of sights and recoil springs on the market.

Pick up the gun, and start shooting.

caged

if you're new to mig. grab a piece or two and start welding your name.
you'll soon figure it out.

set your gas flow to around 20 to 25 on your flow regulator.

Rogue4x4

^All this...

Also start welding in different positions, with different joints. Run beads on flat plate in the horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. Then do the same thing with lap joints, then t-joints, then butt joints, open groove, etc...when welding, you are not often presented with the perfect position to weld, so all of this is definitely necessary! A wise man once told me, the best thing to improve your welding skills is time under the hood...and it is SO very true. Perfect makes practice, LOL

ftwelder

Interesting. Years ago I was a journeyman welder building bridges and freeway signs and burned several thousand pounds of flux-core wire covered with straight C02. Do any of you flux core guys run straight C02?

bryweb

I have a friend that is a ship builder welding supervisor, he said all they run is Fluxcore and 75% argon. So I started there.

In the end I tried with the gas, and my welds were crap and super splattered, so I switch the polarity, turned off the gas, and welded it all up just fine.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

XJwonders

Just so u know, there's some classes of flux core that's specially designed to be used with co2 or argon.

StuckBuck

Yes all this info on the gasses is correct, it just depends on the wires classification. While taking welding classes you will be taught to weld FCAW with co2 and without. Never heard of using argon though but that's probably because its really expensive and unless tig welding most shops try to stay away from it.

And as far as your project is concerned you just gotta try it. Good welding is 10% theory and 90% learning from your mistakes. Good Luck!