Another welder question

[Argeo]

Now when you guys say messy, do you mean it splatters metal drops? If so, can't they just be ground off and most of the area covered for protection. Maybe I read something wrong but it sounds like flux will work, it is just messier, and more clean up afterwards. If that is the case, heck I'll use one of those because 1) they are cheap, 2) I am cheap, 3) I have a grinder to clean up with already and 4) anything I do is going to need to be thin bondo anyways. Oh, did I mention that I am cheap.

Thanks,
David

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Argeo
Now when you guys say messy, do you mean it splatters metal drops?

Flux core works by way of special material in the core of the wire which burns to provide the shielding gas. This burning leaves an ash-type substance everywhere - including in your weld - and makes a lot of smoke. It also produces more weld spatter.

[addictionMS]

the smoke aslo makes it alot harder to see what you are doing,

Jim

[911nut]

Originally posted by widebody911
Flux core works by way of special material in the core of the wire which burns to provide the shielding gas. This burning leaves an ash-type substance everywhere - including in your weld - and makes a lot of smoke. It also produces more weld spatter.

The flux is in the center of the weld wire, which isn't actually a wire but a rolled metal tube. It does provide shielding like a normal welding electrode that has the flux on the outside.
The molten flux floats to the top of the molten metal because of it's low density and forms a "glass" slag on the surface of the weld bead, not in the weld.
Flux Core wire was intended for structural welding and production welding of components with thick cross sections. You weld sheet metal with it at your own risk.

[widebody911]

It's been several years since I've used flux-core, so my memory is hazy. I do remember grinding welds and finding 'pinholes' which I assumed was from flux contamination. I was too cheap to install a flux capacitor, instead opting to go the full-MIG route.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by PBH
Flux core wire is 'rougher' and therefore the drive rolls should grab better and slip less.

I thought proper roll cages were moly steel that had to be tig welded?

SCCA gives an option of CM or bigger and /or thicker DOM steel.