JuicyJuice4x4

Ok so I recently bought myself a MIG 125 wire feed welder. I went in thinking that I would just use the flux core wire thinking it would be alright, however, it looks like crap. Is there any way to make it look better?

SRT-10Jeep

Practice.

92xjr

Thats it, nothing will lay down a better weld then lots of practice.

after you weld hit it with a wire wheel, that will get slag off...

good luck!

alwaysxj

this is what i use for my welding needs. it is a flux core welder what i have found with this is you need to run heat alittle hot like on mine i run it at D and the wire speed needs to be at at least 3. with the flux core you need to weld slow make a pool and move it along slow you cannot just pool it and drag it like a mig with gas. here is some pics of my welds on my long arms you have to wire wheel the weld after and then it looks good. if you have any questions i have been using this set up for a while now and have made alot of stuff just ask.

grn99

It has taken me about a year to lay a usefull bead. No matter how mush practice you have. With flux core it still looks messy. The real art is in making it look good after cleaning it up. At least in my case, LOL. Being able to create parts you can take credit for is well woth the time put into the practice.

nick_n_ii

Is that a 110volt welder? Looks like so. I found with my old little buzz box if I didn't use a extension cord I got better welds.

Also be careful with Flux core wire on suspension or steering parts. From what I've read the flux can cause un-seen weaknesses. Other than that worry your weld there looks fairly good.

Lightfoot

I never heard of the flux giving a weld a problem. We used flux core on the big snowplow mounts we made. The snow plows on big city trucks.
I never had any problem.

I used a little welder like the lincoln welder in the pic to do hand rail, but hand rail is only 1/8 inch tube.

All I have now for my welder is a little hobart handler 175, but it has done everything I have needed to do. I run gas 80/20 mix. I just get out the old stick welder if I needed something bigger welded.

Make sure all your parts are clean before welding.

posjeepxj

flux core gives way better penatration/ looks arent so good. gas sheilded looks good but doesnt penetrate as well

Iant333

You sure about that, I always thought it was the other way around.

4.3L XJ

One simple thing will help. Weld with two hands on the stinger instead of just one. It will help steady it. Also one rule of thumb for all welding. Maintain a good puddle. If you get out of it you are going too fast. Also crank up the voltage and wire speed a little and see if that helps.

nick_n_ii

I do be leave you have the backwards..

posjeepxj

I am possitive. my 220 with .35 mild steel wire and gas sheilding is rated for 1/4. same welder with .45 flux core wire is rated up to 1/2in. You can run double sheild flux and gas for even more penatration.

If i was welding together importat stuff with a 110 i would use flux. I wont weld important stuff with a 110 though. body panels yes, control arms no

halmotors

I've just recently started welding with a Lincoln MIG welder, using .035 flux core wire, and it really all boils down to practice and trying different things. You'll have to get a feel for wire-speed, voltage, etc.

The main problem I have right now is that my wire won't come out evenly...it just sorta comes out in hitches and surges. :<

posjeepxj

Make sure there is no rust on the wire or in the liner. if there is any rust on the wire cut it off until you dont see any/ or throw it away. If it still does it then you might have something in your liner, $32 for a new liner.

I live in iowa so stuff around here rust pretty fast. I keep my extra 12lb roll of wire in the shop fridge, and keep an open box of baking soda in my welder to collect mosture like you would in a fridge. seems to help

rich

dont you know everyones a welder lol well they think so at least oh well