Is harbor freight fluxcore any different than the high price stuff? Should i use the same brand as my welder? Anybody using it ?

 

Harbor Freight flux-core wire is garbage (sloppy with lots of slag). You will get much better results with Lincoln, Hobart, etc. wire. It doesn't matter what brand you use as long as it is the correct diameter for the tip on your welder.

 

Thanks thats what i was thinking

 

x2

The HF welders are decent but their wire, rods, ect are all total garbage. Flux core is picky enough as it is without using a name brand. Plus not all flux core is the same. There's different flux core for different materials, different weld patterns, ect. Some are even meant solely for vertical welding.

 

Thanks, i have a hobart 140 and want to weld 3/16 plate. Im a beginer and want to start off right.i have .030 and want to buy .035.i guess ill look at some hobart wire.

 

if you're gonna change wire size, be sure to change your feed spool. usually you only have to flip it, one side is .030 and the other is .035

 

Thanks i probably need different consumables too.I have to check what it came with.

 

I use Lincoln .30 wire in my HF MIG welder. Wire is way better than there junk but I still have a lot of slag everywhere.

 

After reading more should i just use the .030 wire it came with.alot are saying the .035 needs a bigger machine to run more amps.

 

*doublepost*

 

I have a HF flux cored welder and run .035" it works alright. Just change the tip and use good wire the welders aren't bad for the price. Obviously they arent as good as higher quality welders but they still do the job. I welded a bumper using 1/4" plate with mine using .035 flux-cored.

 

I have a hobart welder i was wondering about their wire.

 

The wire is complete garbage. The welders are good for the price and the warranty on them is awesome. I ran a spool of their brand and I got tons of splatter. Stick to half decent names for your wire/electrodes.

 

Like others have said, HF flux is garbage. Get a good name wire (Lincoln, Hobart, etc) and stick to .30 for size. Just be steady and consistent with your pattern (everyone has their favorite).

 

Thanks i have a small roll of hobart .030 ill play with that on some scrap...thanks everyone for your help