Originally Posted by
gjarrett29
Mig is mig
Yes, MIG is MIG, but flux is NOT MIG. MIG is Metal Inert Gas. Flux doesn't need and should not be used with Gas. He showed a picture of the welder. I am familiar with that welder and know that it comes setup initially as a flux core welder without the gas valve, regulator etc unless you get the kit. Obviously as the picture shows, the gas/MIG kit is already on it, So when he mentioned that he intended to use flux core wire with it I pointed out the difference between a welder that uses flux core wire and one that is a true MIG. There is a big difference and while you could potentially use flux core with a MIG welder it could gum it up as well and more then that there is just no point to it as you are then left with a bunch of flux slag to clean off after which kinda defeats the point of a MIG.
There is a definite difference between flux and MIG.
If you don't believe me go ahead and read what the manufacture of this has to say: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl...sfluxcored.asp
From that page for those who just want the pertinent parts...
You think the decision-making process is over when you are hit with yet another question - which welding process will you use? . . . GMAW (MIG) or FCAW (flux-cored)? If you are like most novice welding operators, you may be confused as to the differences of these two choices.
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GMAW as identified by the American Welding Society, is also popularly known as MIG (Metal Inert Gas) and uses a continuous solid wire electrode for filler metal and an externally supplied gas(typically from a high-pressure cylinder) for shielding. The wire is usually mild steel, typically copper colored because it is electroplated with a thin layer of copper to protect it from rusting, improve electrical conductivity, increase contact tip life and generally improve arc performance. The welder must be setup for DC positive polarity. The shielding gas, which is usually carbon dioxide or mixtures of carbon dioxide and argon, protects the molten metal from reacting with the atmosphere. Shielding gas flows through the gun and cable assembly and out the gun nozzle with the welding wire to shield and protect the molten weld pool.
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FCAW per the American Welding Society, or flux-cored for short, is different in that it uses a wire which contains materials in its core that, when burned by the heat of the arc, produce shielding gases and fluxing agents to help produce a sound weld, without need for the external shielding gas. We achieve a sound weld, but in a very different way. We have internal shielding instead of external shielding. The shielding is very positive and can endure a strong breeze. The arc is forceful, but has spatter. When finished, the weld is covered with a slag that usually needs to be removed. A "drag" angle for the gun is specified which improves operator visibility. The settings on the wire feeder welder are slightly more critical for this process. Improper technique will have results that are magnified.
I know you mentioned that you weld for a living. I don't but I have been welding for WELL over a decade and own an acetylene gas welding setup, a flux core welder, a stick arc welder and a MIG welder. You probably have been welding longer then me and own more then me so I dunno, maybe you didn't see the flux wire part?
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