Flux Welding Video - Plain Talk and #1 biggest mistake

What is the #1 Biggest mistake in flux welding? 

Is it technique?

Cheap flux core wire?

Push vs Pull?

All of these things matter a bit but not nearly as much as the #1 BIGGEST Mistake.

So what is it?

WRONG POLARITY!!   Flux Welding needs DCEN!!

Self shielded flux core wires are made to be used on DCEN. (at least 99% of them are anyway...always check manufacturers data sheet)

Bare wire MIG runs on DCEP.

Since the same MIG welding machine can be used for both Bare Wire MIG and Flux Welding, people often forget to change the polarity over to DCEN for flux core.

The machine used in the video above is a Hobart 210mvp and in order to change polarity, you have to go inside the cabinet and undo nuts and switch cables over in order to change polarity so its not obvious from the outside of the machine.

some newer inverters like the PrimeWeld MIG180 have a small pigtail in front of the machine that makes it easy to switch polarity....and also makes it easy to see at a glance what polarity is selected.

Check out this PrimeWeld MIG 180 and notice the pigtail on the front for changing polarity

learn more about the primeweld mig180 at weldmonger.com

Both are good welders but one is much easier to change polarity for those times when you want to use flux core welding for outdoors or in a pinch.

Why do people call it Flux Welding?

There are several different names people use for flux core welding.

Flux welding is just a shortened name for flux core welding.

Technically, the American Welding Society wants us to use Flux Cored Arc Welding or FCAW.

There is gas shielded flux core and self shielded flux core.

Self shielded is what you see on the shelf at harbor freight and big box stores like home depot or lowes.

There are also industrial grades of self shielded flux core wire like Lincoln nr232 that are used for heavy construction but that is another topic. 

It is always a good idea to check the manufacturers spec sheet on any flux core wire just to make sure what polarity and setting ranges are listed.

Key things to look for in either of these resources are recommended voltage and wire speed...and CTWD. (contact tip to work distance).