85 year old learning wire feed welder. Bought two machines. Build Rocket stoves. Find Lincoln best wire. Harbor Freight, eehhh. Did wood working for years in my shop. Now new hobby splattering metal, fun, fun. Never to old to learn. You quit, you die . Keep'em hot. 🐻
I like flux core welding. I weld little art projects made a few rocket stoves what I like on the weekend or in the middle of the night I don't have to worry about running out of gas there is a problem with the cleanup it's very dirty but you get used to it after a while it becomes just something you have to do
Ol Bear, you got some yrs. on me (I'm ONLY 72), always wanted to learn how to weld. So I went out and bought a welder and am messing around learning making sparks and having fun............................ NEVER quit .
Another huge advantage of flux core: you can use it in the field, in the wind, which tends to blow the shielding gas away if you attempt GMAW in the same environment. (Plus, it's easier to transport a FCAW setup because there's no gas bottle to haul, and no regulator to protect in transit.)
Thank you for this practical advice Derek! I think most people would agree that begining with a more difficult process doesn't account for frustration and learning curve. It's just not the way we learn. If it was, a 16 year old would learn to drive a giant commercial tractor trailer as their first vehicle, and work down to a car.
Yeah I weld 10 hours a day with a guy in a trailer company he won't wear nothing but a cotton tee shirt I'm like bro that ain't ok that's how u get skin cancer bro his damn arms r like a purple now I'm like damn we mig weld to
Great video. I especially like your first reason. It reminds me of advice that a lot of people give to people that want to start learning guitar: “start with acoustic guitar because it’s more difficult and it will make playing electric guitar a lot easier later on.” The problem is, a lot of people give up on guitar because they find it too hard at the beginning when they’re trying to play acoustic. I’m sure it works for some people, but not everyone.
Great video. I too am self taught. I picked up a stick welder as my first machine to get into the hobby and I learned real quickly why its called "stick" when learning how to properly strike an arc.
You are right on. Bought my HF cheapy flux core welder about two years ago, never touched it until a few months ago, what fun I am having. I make a lot of horseshoe art and am starting to do some other types of welding, it has been so good for my well being to create things with a medium I never dreamed I could do. So much fun..
search Arc Captain if you want to be mad for the price of harbor freight welders they give you a 90 day warranty only Arc captain gives you 2 year warranty and they are at a nice price they have better duty cycle also
I just got a 110V FCWF welder for Christmas, did my first bead the other day and a small project yesterday. It was definitely easier than I expected after learning some basics. 😊✌🏻
Like the good down to earth attitude, so am gonna start to play puddle’s with a flux core welder that I’ve just bought for the first time. Thanks for sharing 😃👍
Thanks for the explanation man that's why I purchased flux core welding machine this last week and it is so easy to learn how to weld rather than to a stick welder there is a lot of frustration before you learn. Thanks again man from the Philippines.
I really like your video it's very encouraging and I'm starting with flux core no gas at the moment wire welder and you're right the stick welder arc welding is a little bit too difficult for me at first
I've ben stick welding for several years and just bought a Hobart Handler 100 flux core welder for lighter material. Also I need flux core because I have to weld outside.( reason #4) Not possible with MIG. Thanks much for the video. GOOD points !
No problem with your views personally I prefer stick welding I've done some pretty thin sheet metals with stick 16gauge no problem I can do flux core I just don't like it but it's something good to be able to all types of welding I can even stick weld aluminum which isn't easy I agree in some cases starting with flux core might be cheaper
I totally agree, fluxcore welder is a great first welder. Like you said it's affordable, easy to use, easy to learn, and it works. Stick is a challenge to learn, fluxcore opens the door and gets you building things and learning. I took a beginner's welding class to start welding, the first process we learned was Oxy-Acetylene welding, because it teaches you puddle control, and the concepts of welding. Also you can weld almost anything with it and once you learn that Tig is easy. It''s expensive though to buy a torch setup, and filling the gas bottles costs money as well, so hard for some one to get into it on a budget. Keep up the videos dude.
Thanks for your input man! I’ve never done oxy acetylene myself. I got a torch set and everything, I was just short the acetylene bottle, then decided after the stuff sat in my shop for a year to sell it cause I’d likely not use it. I do want to get that little map gas and oxygen bottle set up that Bernzomatic or whatever they are called make, supposedly you can braze with it, and cut small material, for like $75 with disposable cans. I figured for the 1-2 times a year I might use it, it’s probably worth it for that price. Sounds like you should be the one making UA-cam Videos!
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects hah! I'm really rusty on welding, and I haven't gas welded in years. I tried to stick weld when I got the Titanium 200 last year, and I was garbage!
Jeremy Huff it’s crazy to me how perishable of a skill it is! I go a month or so without welding and they come out pretty bad the next time I put some beads down, so you’re not alone!
Dual shield fluxcore welding is in high demand at most shipyards including navy bases. It's a must to learn to get into ship repair. Good luck. Great video.
I started with stick welding when i was 14 - 15 years old, but was lucky as my two brothers were welders . one did welding on large steam boilers and the other in the gas industry, so when I got stuck I could bug them all the time. Only last year i decided i wanted to learn tig welding with aluminum . And last week I got my first mig welder and set it up for flux core and i have enjoyed working with it. And i have a project that will have 12meters (53feet) of welding to do and i didn't want to do that with stick.lol
Yea man... I started with stick because that is what was always around the farm/garage and kinda stuck with it. Just ordered a Chinesium flux core machine for the same reason, building some stuff and dont want to run that much with a rod. 😂
My dad taught me how to weld when I was 16 with a buzz box I am now 65 years old and still welding with a MIG welder and flux core I have got a Hobart Handler 190 and I absolutely love it reason I got the Hobart is cuz Miller and Hobart the same you can get parts for the Hobart through Miller I also found out the best wire to buy Lincoln or Menards has got some good wire to and Hobart has some good wire let the best wire I found was at Menards they've got solid wire amp flux core wire Bob Elkhart Indiana
One misconception I had when I made this video that needs to be corrected - TIG is equally as hot of a process as flux core, however you do have more control over it and can weld much thinner material with it.
Great video! I just got a flux core welder: Titanium 125. I was immediately surprised at how HOT it ran, and how quickly it would burn through 14 gauge. I thought with a less expensive welder, it would not burn that hot. I was impressed and turned the voltage way down. Enjoyed my first little build, and your video gives me the extra inspiration to keep going.
Jesse Watkins,I got the T125 also and man that thing we do a lot of fence railing gate repair, but what really makes this awesome is we run Lincoln electric NR211-MP .030 or .035 flux core wire in it 👩🏭
Thanks, I bought a 110V flux core welder to make metal posts for a back yard fence--worked a charm. For thinner material I use an ox-acetaline torch and braze parts together.
I’ve never used oxy acetylene before to weld other than brazing up copper refrigerant lines on split AC systems, but that was a lot different than welding up steel with it I’m sure. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects Bronze brazing steel and cast iron is "easy" with experience. Get it red, use flux and dab the bronze rod. Even MAP gas can be used for thin material. Brazing isn't as strong as welding, but it's pretty strong. I went through a lot of youtube videos to learn this.
I'm retired and after being familiar with gas Mig welding (from restoring old cars about 20 years ago), I decided to buy a flux wire welder, just because a wire feed welder is what I was used to. Hobby stuff only.
I started with a flux core. Then got a stick. Then got another flux core. I made a cart for my cheep flux core and adapted the small welder to take ten pound roles. Tip you can buy ten pound roles for half the cost on Amazon. Another tip buy the yes welder role it comes faster. I now have 2 ten pound roles cause the first one didn't come in time. It came a few weeks after the first role I ordered. But could never have enough wire
I’ve been running 10lb spools for a while now, mostly solid core because my flux core machine doesn’t take 10 lbs spools. I need to work on stick and become better at it. It’s much harder in my opinion. I like YesWelder stuff. Thanks for sharing!
I think you have great advice. In school I learned stick first, but I learned flux core first on the job. Fluxcore is my favorite way to weld. It's great for dirty material, it's much quieter than a mig welder, and seeing good shiny beads underneath the flux when you chip it off is rewarding.
The Beerded One Amen to everything you said! That’s my favorite part about stick, when you knock the flux off and see a nice weld bead underneath, it’s very rewarding!
I actually like fluxcore and arc welding better than mig. Blue demon make very good wire. I use their wire the weld look as good as mig. The best part I don't have to carry that big gas tank
I’m about to buy a 10lb spool of blue demon when I start to run out of the Vulcan stuff from Harbor Freight I stocked up in when it was $12 for a 2lb roll. Good to get an opinion on it.
I have had my century for a couple years, bought a Forney 140 MP so I can do MIG and eventually TIG if I ever get around to it. But I really like my century still, just used it the other day on my generator. Good machine for sure.
Hey, which wire are you using with your 120v welders, .030 or .035? People keep telling me to switch to .030, as it's asking to much of a 120v to heat up a .035 wire.
Pond Acres So not that I’m an expert but when I crank it up it melts .035 just fine. In fact, if I’m doing FCAW, if I’m welding thicker metal, I weld with my .035 wire, and if I am welding with thinner metal I weld with .030 wire. I have been told, and my experience agrees with it, that .035 wire has better penetration. Both my century and my Forney say they can take .035 and .030. I know this isn’t always true, but with two reputable companies, it seems like they would know if their welder has the power to weld a certain wire. That’s just my two cents. I would look up other UA-camrs opinions though.
Derek's Workshop and Projects no, it’s not a stable enough power supply for it. We thought we would be able to, but after some research we found out that it wasn’t good and would mess up the welder. Very rude.
Ya, I didn’t know that was a bad thing at first, then I got tired of getting small burns on my arms, and then I learned that the light causes sun burns and skin cancer and in I longer just wear a t-shirt lol. I have a Lincoln welding jacket now.
Don't know if it's the machine, wire or both. But once that arc starts it shouldn't be stopping. That can be very frustrating and lead to poor welds. Run a stick welder for 25 yrs. Recently purchased a Hobart handler 140. Wow what a machine! People that bitch about flux core have never run a stick. Wire is a game changer. No stopping to get another rod or striking to get started. Just pull the trigger and go.
I follow a welder in SC that regularly uses flux core on his jobs building and repairing all kinds of things. He states in a video recently that the people that deem flux core as a bad or DIYer level welding process are really missing out on the benefits of it. I agree with him.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects Had one or two wire welders back in the day when i was in school. But those were off limits. We built everything with stick. Have a 19 yr old boy doing some projects for me here on the farm. He's going to welding school, and out till the fall. Most all of their welding is mig or tig. I started him out on some thicker metal projects with my gasoline stick welder. Then went to the thinner stuff. He was struggling on the thin. So i went and bought the little 110 wire welder. Didn't know if the E71T-11 wire would weld like 6010 or 7018. From what i've seen it's a mixture of both. Which is bad ass! Best of both worlds. When welding with flux core, i recommend getting a flux core nozzle. Helps to see what you're doing and save your gas ports.
First off you probably want to have a hoodie or welding jacket on to protect from getting a sun burn when arc welding, and at my ctc school we started off with the hardest process oxy fuel, we did that to learn to parts of a weld and how to control all of them, it’s hard as hell but made everything else easier, we had to control everything in a weld and it was frustrating
I would recommend a wire + stick (+ TIG but that's a bit iffy at the low price range) combination machine, it doesn't cost a lot more to get a decent machine with that configuration. My expenses for an entry level welding setup (machine, wire, tools, protective clothes and boots, gas, other extras) were about 1000-1200€ in total. Also I would recommend renting instead of buying a gas cylinder because if you buy it, you yourself will be responsible for its maintenance. It might end up costing more in the long run to buy if some time down the road you discover that your valve is leaky, of course right after getting an expensive refill. For this reason, I would recommend to rent a cylinder on an arrangement of bringing your empty cylinder and getting it swapped for an inspected and filled replacement.
I agree there are better ways to start, but this was supposed to help people considering starting with flux core core. Also I bought a gas cylinder and my local welding supplier still just swaps it out. In my area it’s much cheaper to rent than buy. But you definitely offer something to consider.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects I just got my bottle this week and it was cheaper to buy than rent as a DIY person. 55 cf bottle was $199 filled with 75/25.
Agree with you 100%. stick has too many variables and steep learning curve and much more expensive.I learned welding with flux core, it started ugly but eventual y got it perfect. but you have to find the perfect wire for your machine and settings. I'm not about to spend so much for Gas but must admit sure would have made life easier and welds must nicer right from start. Now I finally got a stick also and took a few rods to make good beads but I still prefer flux core. it is least expensive way to weld and get good results for a DYI or repairs.
I been wanting a bad ass computer desk. I just got a century fcaw the other day and welded on my trailer, putting new racks on it. I was using a 75 ft cord that was 10 gauge but learned at that length, need a 8 awg cord. Ordered a 10 awg 25 ft. Should be good enough for my little shop.
Interesting. The book with my Hobart said 10 gage was good for 100 ft. I know 50 ft 10 gage works with it. 100 ft just came on the truck tonight. Will have to try it with my next project to see if it works 🤔
Another reason is that with flux core you can weld outside, as there is no gas to be affected by wind. With gas mig outside, it can be that the shielding gas is disturbed.
Also Lincoln makes the Titanium welders harbor freight sells, i have the same welder and ordered the unlimited 200 yesterday from HF it does mig, flux, tig, and stick
I have just bought a flux core welder from harbor freight and am just r=trying my first welds with it. I have a neighbor who is a pretty damned good welder and am getting lessons. he gave me a few ideas, but says just practicing is the only way to get good at it. I am still messing with wire feed speed and voltages. I have tried very thin steel roofing metals and like you say it isn't pretty but it sticks together. I guess I need your expeirance as to where to go with the 2 vairies of speed and voltages. When learning I am finding I need to go lower with the speed then the neighbor. he says again keep practicing. Can you add to that?
I usually try to follow the suggestions on the chart and if something seems off, adjust from there. Roofing material thickness is probably almost too thin to be in the realm of flux core as it is a hot process and most of the heat is put into the base metal.
What type of outlet do I need to run the inverter flux core welder such as the titanium 125 welder? Could I use a dryer outlet and use an adapter with a 10-30p Male to 20amp female plug? Will that amperage heat up or damage the flux welder if I do that?
Hi Derek. Great job. You broke down everything into simple terms and words. I have a few Amazon gift cards. Is there a Flux core welder you recommend on Amazon that's in the same price range as the one in this video? Thank you.
Hey thanks for the comment and for watching sorry I’m a few days late. I don’t have this exact machine, but I have the multiprocess version of it and it is an AWESOME machine, it comes in at a cheaper price than the multiprocess machine and Forney is a name brand unit, they sell professional grade machines, though not quite on the level as Lincoln or Miller. Anyway, it’s the best because it holds 10lb spools which is big time savings on wire, the wire drive mechanism is higher quality. It’s just a great machine. Here’s a link, if you haven’t bought one already, if you use this link, they send a little percent of your purchase my way. amzn.to/3FtAY4O
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects okay . . . I use iMovie as well, but have not found a good mic for voiceovers . . . thanks for the tip . . . I appreciate it.
Would have liked a re-cap at the end of the video. B/c by the time I made it there, I had forgotten what your original answer was, b/c you tended to "ramble" a little bit.
If there is no ventilation, a respirator should be worn. If he’s outside it should be ok, but there are lots of hazards associated with welding that he should be familiar with.
No no no no no gotta know how too stick weld when you pass to mig/mag or even tig if you're a good stick welder mig or mag will be a peace of cake I learned stick then tig and when I passed on mag I almost laughed at how easy it is compared to the other processes stick weld first it will help you so much!
I’m still working on stick. For some people it’s just about being able to get the little job done at home and don’t need a full trade class on welding. If I was going to welding school to get in it full time, and this video was directed at those kinds of people, I probably would say the same thing but I’m directing it at DIYers who probably just want to get good enough at a flexible process and get to work on their own things.
@@morganweller1491 It is difficult enough to get an welding rod ignited, than you need to learn the handling, feed rate with different sizes ... Flux core is pretty simple, when you have a popular model you easilie find set up charts for your machine with all different materials and thickness. After the adjustment it isnt much more complicate than using a hot glue gun.
Most of them, but not all of them. The only particular reason is price. You are, of course, right MIG welders generally do allow you to switch polarity and run gas-less flux core.
Well, really they serve different purposes. And some of the same too. I find Flux Core to be easier than Arc/stick welding. For General fabrication purposes in a home garage or shop, I think you would find a flux core welder less frustrating.
Portability is a major advantage that flux core has over expensive gas shielded mig with the required heavy gas cylinder and delicate regulator on one end.
My question is. Clean up process. When I'm done welding my frames they look like they survived a fire work show. I'm spending a lot of time cleaning the metal back to a shine. Any suggestions?
My best suggestion is to just purchase shielding gas and buy a MIG welder if the final product needs to be really clean. What you are describing is one of the disadvantages of Flux Core welding. That being said, here are a few suggestions. 1. The correct settings, or dialing in your machine perfectly is the best way to mitigate this in addition to 2. using quality welding wire and 3. using an anti spatter spray. I think those would be my 3 best suggestions to help ya.
I have a question I just purchased a flux core welder what shade lens do I need for my welding hood when using a flux core welder any help you can give me will be much appreciated
Mild steel flux core is only good down to about 18 gauge in terms of thickness and cannot weld aluminum. I’ve never done anything with turbos in my life so hard to say.
Nope titanium is a rip off go with Arc Captain they give 2 year warranties and they have really nice duty cycles which I have really tested and they sell them at a very nice price I tested the Arc 200 at 120 amps never had a duty cycle issue also the bottle is the only expensive thing you can get a full tank of Argon for like what 80 90$ and if you are out and about welding for money you will easily cover it also I say stick is the best option it may be hard but you can weld any normal metal with it you can do stainless steel ,steel ,High carbon steel, Low carbon steel, titanium, Aluminum, Cast iron and many more other metals and you get super deep penetration
Learning to weld flux core first It's like jumping from elementary to college... Anybody can weld mig welding with zero experience...then go flux core...just my personal opinion...
Yeah, because the easy route is the way to go. Start with FC, never move to any other process, then solidify your position as a flux core fag by commenting on every video about how it’s the best process because it’s the only process you know how to use.
Fluxcore welding is so frowned upon where Im from, for no good reason IMHO. Pretty much just because MIG and TIG welding look so much better and cleaner on the video, so anyone can brag about it on his YT channel ;) Not to mention there is so much myths around it, like you has to drag with fluxcore, you has to use long stickout, you has to use MIG gun without nozzle and so on. It's a great tips for beginners, but definitely not necessity.
It’s absolutely the most simple useful process for someone who doesn’t want to take the time to learn stick welding to still get work done. I know why people think it has its short comings but for DIYing you really cannot beat it.
85 year old learning wire feed welder. Bought two machines. Build Rocket stoves. Find Lincoln best wire. Harbor Freight, eehhh. Did wood working for years in my shop. Now new hobby splattering metal, fun, fun. Never to old to learn. You quit, you die . Keep'em hot. 🐻
Definitely. Keep it up! Thanks for watching.
Love your attitude
I like flux core welding. I weld little art projects made a few rocket stoves what I like on the weekend or in the middle of the night I don't have to worry about running out of gas there is a problem with the cleanup it's very dirty but you get used to it after a while it becomes just something you have to do
Ol Bear, you got some yrs. on me (I'm ONLY 72), always wanted to learn how to weld. So I went out and bought a welder and am messing around learning making sparks and having fun............................ NEVER quit .
God speed
Another huge advantage of flux core: you can use it in the field, in the wind, which tends to blow the shielding gas away if you attempt GMAW in the same environment. (Plus, it's easier to transport a FCAW setup because there's no gas bottle to haul, and no regulator to protect in transit.)
I use it all the time outside.
Thank you for this practical advice Derek! I think most people would agree that begining with a more difficult process doesn't account for frustration and learning curve. It's just not the way we learn. If it was, a 16 year old would learn to drive a giant commercial tractor trailer as their first vehicle, and work down to a car.
Thank you for the great comment! Appreciate the thoughts. I agree.
All good info! WEAR SLEEVES when arc welding--or by the time you're 50 the doctors will be digging melanoma out of your arms.
Got myself a good welding jacket to avoid this!
Yeah I kinda resigned myself to that with this Louisiana heat though
Yeah I agree. Dying slowly isnt as fun as it sounds
Yeah I weld 10 hours a day with a guy in a trailer company he won't wear nothing but a cotton tee shirt I'm like bro that ain't ok that's how u get skin cancer bro his damn arms r like a purple now I'm like damn we mig weld to
Great video. I especially like your first reason. It reminds me of advice that a lot of people give to people that want to start learning guitar: “start with acoustic guitar because it’s more difficult and it will make playing electric guitar a lot easier later on.” The problem is, a lot of people give up on guitar because they find it too hard at the beginning when they’re trying to play acoustic. I’m sure it works for some people, but not everyone.
Great video. I too am self taught. I picked up a stick welder as my first machine to get into the hobby and I learned real quickly why its called "stick" when learning how to properly strike an arc.
Lol yes, it’s stick welding because you stick the rod about 90% of the time when you’re first getting started haha. Haven’t thought of that.
You are right on. Bought my HF cheapy flux core welder about two years ago, never touched it until a few months ago, what fun I am having. I make a lot of horseshoe art and am starting to do some other types of welding, it has been so good for my well being to create things with a medium I never dreamed I could do. So much fun..
I've been wanting to do some horseshoe projects. Where is a good source for horseshoes?
Feed and tack stores.
search Arc Captain if you want to be mad for the price of harbor freight welders they give you a 90 day warranty only Arc captain gives you 2 year warranty and they are at a nice price they have better duty cycle also
I just got a 110V FCWF welder for Christmas, did my first bead the other day and a small project yesterday. It was definitely easier than I expected after learning some basics. 😊✌🏻
It's a good, simple process for a lot of people who need nothing more! Good luck with it!
Like the good down to earth attitude, so am gonna start to play puddle’s with a flux core welder that I’ve just bought for the first time. Thanks for sharing 😃👍
Thanks for watching and the comment! 👍🏼
Thanks for the explanation man that's why I purchased flux core welding machine this last week and it is so easy to learn how to weld rather than to a stick welder there is a lot of frustration before you learn. Thanks again man from the Philippines.
Awesome! Thanks for watching, enjoy your new hobby!
I really like your video it's very encouraging and I'm starting with flux core no gas at the moment wire welder and you're right the stick welder arc welding is a little bit too difficult for me at first
I've ben stick welding for several years and just bought a Hobart Handler 100 flux core welder for lighter material. Also I need flux core because I have to weld outside.( reason #4) Not possible with MIG. Thanks much for the video. GOOD points !
For sure, I thought it addressed that at some point, but if I didn't thanks for mentioning it. Good luck with the Hobart!
No problem with your views personally I prefer stick welding I've done some pretty thin sheet metals with stick 16gauge no problem I can do flux core I just don't like it but it's something good to be able to all types of welding I can even stick weld aluminum which isn't easy I agree in some cases starting with flux core might be cheaper
I totally agree, fluxcore welder is a great first welder. Like you said it's affordable, easy to use, easy to learn, and it works. Stick is a challenge to learn, fluxcore opens the door and gets you building things and learning.
I took a beginner's welding class to start welding, the first process we learned was Oxy-Acetylene welding, because it teaches you puddle control, and the concepts of welding. Also you can weld almost anything with it and once you learn that Tig is easy. It''s expensive though to buy a torch setup, and filling the gas bottles costs money as well, so hard for some one to get into it on a budget.
Keep up the videos dude.
Thanks for your input man! I’ve never done oxy acetylene myself. I got a torch set and everything, I was just short the acetylene bottle, then decided after the stuff sat in my shop for a year to sell it cause I’d likely not use it. I do want to get that little map gas and oxygen bottle set up that Bernzomatic or whatever they are called make, supposedly you can braze with it, and cut small material, for like $75 with disposable cans. I figured for the 1-2 times a year I might use it, it’s probably worth it for that price. Sounds like you should be the one making UA-cam Videos!
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects hah! I'm really rusty on welding, and I haven't gas welded in years. I tried to stick weld when I got the Titanium 200 last year, and I was garbage!
Jeremy Huff it’s crazy to me how perishable of a skill it is! I go a month or so without welding and they come out pretty bad the next time I put some beads down, so you’re not alone!
Dual shield fluxcore welding is in high demand at most shipyards including navy bases. It's a must to learn to get into ship repair. Good luck. Great video.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects Your welcome.
Someone got me started with stick welding and hated metal work and avoided the process if I can. I'm going to try a flux core welder - thx.
If it's an old AC welder is going to be extra hard. The DC Stick machines are not as bad but still hard. Good luck with flux core.
I started with stick welding when i was 14 - 15 years old, but was lucky as my two brothers were welders . one did welding on large steam boilers and the other in the gas industry, so when I got stuck I could bug them all the time. Only last year i decided i wanted to learn tig welding with aluminum . And last week I got my first mig welder and set it up for flux core and i have enjoyed working with it. And i have a project that will have 12meters (53feet) of welding to do and i didn't want to do that with stick.lol
It keep hearing it's advantageous to learn stick first but I just really like wire feed welding. It' really easy for me. Thanks for watching.
Yea man... I started with stick because that is what was always around the farm/garage and kinda stuck with it. Just ordered a Chinesium flux core machine for the same reason, building some stuff and dont want to run that much with a rod. 😂
My dad taught me how to weld when I was 16 with a buzz box I am now 65 years old and still welding with a MIG welder and flux core I have got a Hobart Handler 190 and I absolutely love it reason I got the Hobart is cuz Miller and Hobart the same you can get parts for the Hobart through Miller I also found out the best wire to buy Lincoln or Menards has got some good wire to and Hobart has some good wire let the best wire I found was at Menards they've got solid wire amp flux core wire Bob Elkhart Indiana
One misconception I had when I made this video that needs to be corrected - TIG is equally as hot of a process as flux core, however you do have more control over it and can weld much thinner material with it.
You need to pin this comment to the top.
Great video! I just got a flux core welder: Titanium 125. I was immediately surprised at how HOT it ran, and how quickly it would burn through 14 gauge. I thought with a less expensive welder, it would not burn that hot. I was impressed and turned the voltage way down. Enjoyed my first little build, and your video gives me the extra inspiration to keep going.
Jesse Watkins,I got the T125 also and man that thing we do a lot of fence railing gate repair, but what really makes this awesome is we run Lincoln electric NR211-MP .030 or .035 flux core wire in it 👩🏭
Thanks, I bought a 110V flux core welder to make metal posts for a back yard fence--worked a charm. For thinner material I use an ox-acetaline torch and braze parts together.
I’ve never used oxy acetylene before to weld other than brazing up copper refrigerant lines on split AC systems, but that was a lot different than welding up steel with it I’m sure. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects Bronze brazing steel and cast iron is "easy" with experience. Get it red, use flux and dab the bronze rod. Even MAP gas can be used for thin material. Brazing isn't as strong as welding, but it's pretty strong. I went through a lot of youtube videos to learn this.
Great video.... you just helped me decide as to where I should begin
Thank you so much sir.
Thanks for watching!
I'm retired and after being familiar with gas Mig welding (from restoring old cars about 20 years ago), I decided to buy a flux wire welder, just because a wire feed welder is what I was used to. Hobby stuff only.
Ya I don’t think it’s good for auto body work. But not bad for a lot of general fabrication jobs.
I started with a flux core. Then got a stick. Then got another flux core.
I made a cart for my cheep flux core and adapted the small welder to take ten pound roles. Tip you can buy ten pound roles for half the cost on Amazon.
Another tip buy the yes welder role it comes faster.
I now have 2 ten pound roles cause the first one didn't come in time. It came a few weeks after the first role I ordered.
But could never have enough wire
I’ve been running 10lb spools for a while now, mostly solid core because my flux core machine doesn’t take 10 lbs spools. I need to work on stick and become better at it. It’s much harder in my opinion. I like YesWelder stuff. Thanks for sharing!
You mean rolls? Just sayin ✌
@@Thedoug369 ooooops 😀
I think you have great advice. In school I learned stick first, but I learned flux core first on the job. Fluxcore is my favorite way to weld. It's great for dirty material, it's much quieter than a mig welder, and seeing good shiny beads underneath the flux when you chip it off is rewarding.
The Beerded One Amen to everything you said! That’s my favorite part about stick, when you knock the flux off and see a nice weld bead underneath, it’s very rewarding!
I actually like fluxcore and arc welding better than mig. Blue demon make very good wire. I use their wire the weld look as good as mig. The best part I don't have to carry that big gas tank
I’m about to buy a 10lb spool of blue demon when I start to run out of the Vulcan stuff from
Harbor Freight I stocked up in when it was $12 for a 2lb roll. Good to get an opinion on it.
I like fcaw, flaking off the slag is like opening a present. I got a 120v century inverter welder, it's doing everything I need.
I have had my century for a couple years, bought a Forney 140 MP so I can do MIG and eventually TIG if I ever get around to it. But I really like my century still, just used it the other day on my generator. Good machine for sure.
Yeh man, your review video about it is what brought me to your channel, actually.
Hey, which wire are you using with your 120v welders, .030 or .035? People keep telling me to switch to .030, as it's asking to much of a 120v to heat up a .035 wire.
Pond Acres So not that I’m an expert but when I crank it up it melts .035 just fine. In fact, if I’m doing FCAW, if I’m welding thicker metal, I weld with my .035 wire, and if I am welding with thinner metal I weld with .030 wire. I have been told, and my experience agrees with it, that .035 wire has better penetration. Both my century and my Forney say they can take .035 and .030. I know this isn’t always true, but with two reputable companies, it seems like they would know if their welder has the power to weld a certain wire. That’s just my two cents. I would look up other UA-camrs opinions though.
Thanks, Derek.
I’m getting a flux core welder Thursday I’m excited
Awesome man, what’d you pick up?
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects I’m going to pick up a Titanium Easy-Flux 125 Amp Welder
Good choice dude. I’d like to get my hands on one. Have fun with it!
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects thank you, I will
I'm not that great of a welder.. Stay humble bro! I took welding then 2 years of R-Hvac. You know enough to do a good job. Good content ty for sharing
Everything I ever wanted to know about a Flux core welder! 😁
Someday we’ll have enough power to learn how to use ours 👍🏻. Great informational video.
Big Sky at Night are you not able to run it off your generator?
Derek's Workshop and Projects no, it’s not a stable enough power supply for it. We thought we would be able to, but after some research we found out that it wasn’t good and would mess up the welder. Very rude.
Big Sky at Night darn!
Welding with a t shirt, you're a trooper!!
Ya, I didn’t know that was a bad thing at first, then I got tired of getting small burns on my arms, and then I learned that the light causes sun burns and skin cancer and in I longer just wear a t-shirt lol. I have a Lincoln welding jacket now.
Don't know if it's the machine, wire or both. But once that arc starts it shouldn't be stopping. That can be very frustrating and lead to poor welds. Run a stick welder for 25 yrs. Recently purchased a Hobart handler 140. Wow what a machine! People that bitch about flux core have never run a stick. Wire is a game changer. No stopping to get another rod or striking to get started. Just pull the trigger and go.
I follow a welder in SC that regularly uses flux core on his jobs building and repairing all kinds of things. He states in a video recently that the people that deem flux core as a bad or DIYer level welding process are really missing out on the benefits of it. I agree with him.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects Had one or two wire welders back in the day when i was in school. But those were off limits. We built everything with stick. Have a 19 yr old boy doing some projects for me here on the farm. He's going to welding school, and out till the fall. Most all of their welding is mig or tig. I started him out on some thicker metal projects with my gasoline stick welder. Then went to the thinner stuff. He was struggling on the thin. So i went and bought the little 110 wire welder. Didn't know if the E71T-11 wire would weld like 6010 or 7018. From what i've seen it's a mixture of both. Which is bad ass! Best of both worlds. When welding with flux core, i recommend getting a flux core nozzle. Helps to see what you're doing and save your gas ports.
First off you probably want to have a hoodie or welding jacket on to protect from getting a sun burn when arc welding, and at my ctc school we started off with the hardest process oxy fuel, we did that to learn to parts of a weld and how to control all of them, it’s hard as hell but made everything else easier, we had to control everything in a weld and it was frustrating
I have a welding jacket these days. I’ve come a long way since this was filmed.
Thanks for this Derek! Really helpful since I am on a budget!
Thanks for watching!
Paid $89 for mine brand new (Harbor Freight 125). Works great.
I would recommend a wire + stick (+ TIG but that's a bit iffy at the low price range) combination machine, it doesn't cost a lot more to get a decent machine with that configuration. My expenses for an entry level welding setup (machine, wire, tools, protective clothes and boots, gas, other extras) were about 1000-1200€ in total.
Also I would recommend renting instead of buying a gas cylinder because if you buy it, you yourself will be responsible for its maintenance. It might end up costing more in the long run to buy if some time down the road you discover that your valve is leaky, of course right after getting an expensive refill. For this reason, I would recommend to rent a cylinder on an arrangement of bringing your empty cylinder and getting it swapped for an inspected and filled replacement.
I agree there are better ways to start, but this was supposed to help people considering starting with flux core core.
Also I bought a gas cylinder and my local welding supplier still just swaps it out. In my area it’s much cheaper to rent than buy. But you definitely offer something to consider.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects I just got my bottle this week and it was cheaper to buy than rent as a DIY person. 55 cf bottle was $199 filled with 75/25.
Appearantly I had a typo. It’s cheaper to buy than rent, and I mixed them up in my last comments. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal!
Agree with you 100%. stick has too many variables and steep learning curve and much more expensive.I learned welding with flux core, it started ugly but eventual y got it perfect. but you have to find the perfect wire for your machine and settings. I'm not about to spend so much for Gas but must admit sure would have made life easier and welds must nicer right from start. Now I finally got a stick also and took a few rods to make good beads but I still prefer flux core. it is least expensive way to weld and get good results for a DYI or repairs.
Agreed! Thanks man!
“Much more expensive”
10lb box of 6011/7018 = $29.99
10lb spool of flux core = $69.99
I been wanting a bad ass computer desk. I just got a century fcaw the other day and welded on my trailer, putting new racks on it. I was using a 75 ft cord that was 10 gauge but learned at that length, need a 8 awg cord. Ordered a 10 awg 25 ft. Should be good enough for my little shop.
Yup, sounds like it should work I think.
Interesting. The book with my Hobart said 10 gage was good for 100 ft. I know 50 ft 10 gage works with it. 100 ft just came on the truck tonight. Will have to try it with my next project to see if it works 🤔
Another reason is that with flux core you can weld outside, as there is no gas to be affected by wind. With gas mig outside, it can be that the shielding gas is disturbed.
Yup, I learned that a few summers back welding together homemade compost tumbler.
Also Lincoln makes the Titanium welders harbor freight sells, i have the same welder and ordered the unlimited 200 yesterday from HF it does mig, flux, tig, and stick
Looks like the same welder and I question if it comes out of the same factory. Thats a fair assessment for sure. Thanks for watching!
Source?
I have just bought a flux core welder from harbor freight and am just r=trying my first welds with it. I have a neighbor who is a pretty damned good welder and am getting lessons. he gave me a few ideas, but says just practicing is the only way to get good at it. I am still messing with wire feed speed and voltages. I have tried very thin steel roofing metals and like you say it isn't pretty but it sticks together. I guess I need your expeirance as to where to go with the 2 vairies of speed and voltages. When learning I am finding I need to go lower with the speed then the neighbor. he says again keep practicing. Can you add to that?
I usually try to follow the suggestions on the chart and if something seems off, adjust from there. Roofing material thickness is probably almost too thin to be in the realm of flux core as it is a hot process and most of the heat is put into the base metal.
Titanium or Yes flux core welder only unit?
I'm buying 1 of them and just don't know what I should get.
Heck ya! Thank you for the information.
Thanks for watching!
Is this good for people with shaky hands? I have a hard time holding stick weld steady
What type of outlet do I need to run the inverter flux core welder such as the titanium 125 welder? Could I use a dryer outlet and use an adapter with a 10-30p Male to 20amp female plug? Will that amperage heat up or damage the flux welder if I do that?
Hi Derek. Great job. You broke down everything into simple terms and words. I have a few Amazon gift cards. Is there a Flux core welder you recommend on Amazon that's in the same price range as the one in this video? Thank you.
Hey thanks for the comment and for watching sorry I’m a few days late. I don’t have this exact machine, but I have the multiprocess version of it and it is an AWESOME machine, it comes in at a cheaper price than the multiprocess machine and Forney is a name brand unit, they sell professional grade machines, though not quite on the level as Lincoln or Miller. Anyway, it’s the best because it holds 10lb spools which is big time savings on wire, the wire drive mechanism is higher quality. It’s just a great machine. Here’s a link, if you haven’t bought one already, if you use this link, they send a little percent of your purchase my way. amzn.to/3FtAY4O
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects Its all good Derek. Thank you for replying. I hope you had a great Christmas.
Nice video . . . Are you using iMovie with a mic attached to your computer?
I actually have a separate recorder that I speak into, and yes, iMovie. Its a simple set up but it works good.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects okay . . . I use iMovie as well, but have not found a good mic for voiceovers . . . thanks for the tip . . . I appreciate it.
Hi I use flux core welder and for the amount of welding I do I love it as it so much portable so don’t have to carry a big gas bottle around with you
Definitely an advantage of flux core welding. I still use the process, especially outside.
For home welding that is the best solution, if You want to learn I think in 1 month You can make some good welds.
Thank you for the good information.
Thanks for watching!
Would have liked a re-cap at the end of the video. B/c by the time I made it there, I had forgotten
what your original answer was, b/c you tended to "ramble" a little bit.
I’ll do a recap next time.
nice video thanks , what helmt do you suggest ?
Thanks! I really like helmets from YesWelder. You can check them out here -yeswelder.com/?ref=uqgyu1yamejj
My son just got me a flux core should I be concerned about wearing resperator I'm 66 never welded before
If there is no ventilation, a respirator should be worn. If he’s outside it should be ok, but there are lots of hazards associated with welding that he should be familiar with.
No no no no no gotta know how too stick weld when you pass to mig/mag or even tig if you're a good stick welder mig or mag will be a peace of cake I learned stick then tig and when I passed on mag I almost laughed at how easy it is compared to the other processes stick weld first it will help you so much!
I’m still working on stick. For some people it’s just about being able to get the little job done at home and don’t need a full trade class on welding. If I was going to welding school to get in it full time, and this video was directed at those kinds of people, I probably would say the same thing but I’m directing it at DIYers who probably just want to get good enough at a flexible process and get to work on their own things.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects I respect that man good luck on all you're project's man!!
@@morganweller1491 It is difficult enough to get an welding rod ignited, than you need to learn the handling, feed rate with different sizes ...
Flux core is pretty simple, when you have a popular model you easilie find set up charts for your machine with all different materials and thickness.
After the adjustment it isnt much more complicate than using a hot glue gun.
Why do you need particularly need a flux cored welder when Mig welders can also do gas gasless flux cored wires ?
Most of them, but not all of them. The only particular reason is price. You are, of course, right MIG welders generally do allow you to switch polarity and run gas-less flux core.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects thank you mate I bought cigwell 160 for my father , I’ll leave him to it 😂
With a stick welder you need to go in and out the puddle fast and slightly to weld very thin metal. Good luck.
Thanks for the tip
Which machine is better? Arc or Flux welder?
Well, really they serve different purposes. And some of the same too. I find Flux Core to be easier than Arc/stick welding. For General fabrication purposes in a home garage or shop, I think you would find a flux core welder less frustrating.
Portability is a major advantage that flux core has over expensive gas shielded mig with the required heavy gas cylinder and delicate regulator on one end.
Definitely. Thanks for watching.
Good info! thanks
My question is.
Clean up process.
When I'm done welding my frames they look like they survived a fire work show.
I'm spending a lot of time cleaning the metal back to a shine. Any suggestions?
My best suggestion is to just purchase shielding gas and buy a MIG welder if the final product needs to be really clean. What you are describing is one of the disadvantages of Flux Core welding. That being said, here are a few suggestions. 1. The correct settings, or dialing in your machine perfectly is the best way to mitigate this in addition to 2. using quality welding wire and 3. using an anti spatter spray. I think those would be my 3 best suggestions to help ya.
And thank you very much for the reply.
I know I need to up my game a bit. Gas shielded mig is the next step.
Thanks again.....
Hey I started out only using flux core. It’s a cheap easy way to get into it until you can afford better. Nothing wrong with it!
My welds are strong and I get great penitration. It fits my needs at the moment.
Thanks for the tips...
I have a question I just purchased a flux core welder what shade lens do I need for my welding hood when using a flux core welder any help you can give me will be much appreciated
I’m going to answer this in a video. Sound good?
Sounds good looking forward to it
thanks brother. speakin my language
Thanks for watchin!
Get a regular mig welder so you can do both with that welder ! All mig welder can run flux core wire 💯
Right on
Thanks for watching!
Can I weld up exhaust with it
infamousnova Should be able to. Unless your using some unusually thin stuff.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects like turbo setup type stuff
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects so what material or pipes should I stay away from
Mild steel flux core is only good down to about 18 gauge in terms of thickness and cannot weld aluminum. I’ve never done anything with turbos in my life so hard to say.
@@DereksWorkshopAndProjects ok I had to put the gauge into perspective. Thats not bad
👍
Nope titanium is a rip off go with Arc Captain they give 2 year warranties and they have really nice duty cycles which I have really tested and they sell them at a very nice price I tested the Arc 200 at 120 amps never had a duty cycle issue also the bottle is the only expensive thing you can get a full tank of Argon for like what 80 90$ and if you are out and about welding for money you will easily cover it also I say stick is the best option it may be hard but you can weld any normal metal with it you can do stainless steel ,steel ,High carbon steel, Low carbon steel, titanium, Aluminum, Cast iron and many more other metals and you get super deep penetration
Home Depot has welding has to
Learning to weld flux core first
It's like jumping from elementary to college...
Anybody can weld mig welding with zero experience...then go flux core...just my personal opinion...
Cool like your I deal
Thanks for watching/commenting!
Bro had to wear my helmet to warch this video
Sorry.
Sorry but I'm not into all the splatter gas is a lor better weld and less chance of warpage for body metal....
Sure, it totally depends on what your doing. I made a video about why you wouldn’t want a flux core welder too.
Yeah, because the easy route is the way to go. Start with FC, never move to any other process, then solidify your position as a flux core fag by commenting on every video about how it’s the best process because it’s the only process you know how to use.
No gas no gas no gas!!!
Don't have to buy flux core welder to fix core weld
I didn’t ever say that did I?
Bro said “Es maa” wtf 😂
No such thing as a “flux-core welder”, I’m sure everyone is now confused
You are obviously not a good stick welder
Fluxcore welding is so frowned upon where Im from, for no good reason IMHO. Pretty much just because MIG and TIG welding look so much better and cleaner on the video, so anyone can brag about it on his YT channel ;)
Not to mention there is so much myths around it, like you has to drag with fluxcore, you has to use long stickout, you has to use MIG gun without nozzle and so on. It's a great tips for beginners, but definitely not necessity.
It’s absolutely the most simple useful process for someone who doesn’t want to take the time to learn stick welding to still get work done. I know why people think it has its short comings but for DIYing you really cannot beat it.