Gasless Flux Core Welding Tips, Make Better Cleaner Welds
FCAW, Flux core wire, gasless flux core wire, self shielding wire, MIG flux welding wire, it's all the same but not all flux wire is created equally. If you are a beginner & learning or experienced you can benefit from this how to video. Want to get better results with flux core wire? In this video we cover tips about how to flux core weld ( FCAW ) that will help you get better results. We test different brands of self shielding wires to see which ones produce the best results. Lincoln, Harbor Freight Vulcan wire, Yeswelder, Forney and Hynade wires and the results are surprising.
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Gonna have to disagree with your conclusion on a professional level.. all the wires you tested except for the Lincoln wire are E71T-GS wires. The G designation stands for general purpose and the S stands for single pass use, which essentially means the flux composition can vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. On a practical note, that means if you can't do the weld in one pass you can't safely put another layer of weld on the joint without risk of dilution of base metal or risk of cracking. This is why flux core gets a bad rap and is often only considered for light duty applications. The Lincoln wire is a E71T-11 wire, which means it's a general purpose wire however it's rated for a 5/16" thick multipass application, and thicker with larger diameter wires. This is a wire designation that's pre-approved for limited structural steel use according to AWS D1.1 welding code. On a practical note, you can more reliably use this wire to weld thicker metal in multiple layers if required. I'm a welder that's held certifications to weld to AWS D1.1 code, API 1104, and ASME B31.3. However my primary sources are AWS D1.1 welding code, The Lincoln Electric Website article where flux core wire classifications are explained in detail, Hobart Filler Metals web article on the same subject, and AWS standards for filler metal classifications. Good video, but I wouldn't throw away the Lincoln wire based on how user friendly it is and price. You very much get what you pay for in this case and I hope this information helps someone somewhere.
I do wish the GS was pointed out. I would also have liked a comparison of the Hobart E71T-11. I tried the Vulcan junk once. Ripped a new roll out of my welder cause it wouldn't burn good, and fed horribly. Been running the Hobart E71T-11 since.
Rob, I agree with you 100%, the Lincoln innershield has been my go to wire for years, i wouldn't buy a gs rated wire simply because of you can't make a 2nd pass if needed and sometimes its needed. Thanks!
@@luiskay2487 I don't know why but i could not get the hobart fabshield to run worth a crap, idk if it was just a bad roll but got the Lincoln and never looked back.
Thanks for the detailed explanation of what those codes mean.
That's great info. I never knew that. I was doing multi pass with Vulcan the other day. I've welded stick for almost 30 years and just bought a wire feed.
I've only used Lincoln flux cored in past and could never get a decent weld. Thanks for the video again. Great stuff. I honestly use your advice when buying welding stuff.
Thanks for checking out my new video Rick! I definitely liked the top 3 wires, they weld far better for me then the HF or Lincoln wire. Take care 👍
The lincoln wire is E71T-11 versus E71T-GS. E71T-GS is more common. I was told E71T-GS is single pass and isn't standardized. E71-T11 is multi pass and has to meet standards. So E71T-GS can vary greatly between brands. I think brand and freshness makes a big difference. Moisture can be an issue. Especially for us up here in the great north wet. I usually run hobart E71-T11 wire because it is convenient to get and runs better than some I've tried. Ultimately it's flux core and I'm not to worried about it being perfect.
Excellent... just after I bought 4.5kg of flux core! 🙈 Love flux core. Nothing to beat it for outdoors work.
Flux core wire can also dirty up your whip liner, making feeding inconsistent. Try cleaning out your liner. It made a WORLD of difference for me. Also add a 'scrubber' to your spool just before the feed rollers. I use a clothes pin holding an earplug wrapped around the mig wire. Helps keep from dirtying up your liner.
Thanks for the tip👍
How do you clean your liner ?
Well, since you've been pleasantly surprised by the performance of the flux core wire, perhaps you could do a beginner level video on welding 110v, flux core and share some tips with beginners on how to get better results?
It would be interesting to see a "cut and etch" to see penetration characteristics. There is another flux wire to consider: Blue Demon E71T-11 X .030. Question is how do they do on a re-weld over test. Maybe do a part two? Thanks Mike.
I agree, cut it open and see.
@@delmas15 Possibly In a future video? Unfortunately I lost over 50 subscribers when I posted this video. I may make a cut and etch video like I have on some of my other videos in the past, but 90% of my subscribers don’t watch this stuff anyways. 😔
I watch. In fact you are the reason I bought a flux core welder and hobby around with it.
@@Mikefestiva that’s unfortunate Mike as I find your opinion and experience valuable as I start welding for the first time since high school (1984). Maybe those folks are more experienced welders only interested in your projects but still no reason to unsub.
I have the blue devil stuff. Im a noob welder so dont know if i matter or not but blue devil seems to work like vulcan and lincoln
I have a Lincoln welder so I thought the Lincoln wire would be the best. I came back to watch your video again because my 1lb of wire lasted close to 36". I used a 10 lb spool for years. Mainly because my welds looked so bad that I've avoided welding with that machine. After watching this and a few other videos I'm welding a bit better. I really appreciate the effort you took to make this video. I couldn't believe people could actually get a bead with these. Now I will check Amazon to see if they have that Fortney wire. Thank you
When I started welding, using a flux core wire, I didn't know diddly. All I knew is that I couldn't see anything. I spent a lot of time trying different things to see the puddle. I used the wire that came with the machine until I got tired of dealing with the rats nest ( I told you I was a beginner). After a long time I finally changed wire. Now I can see. It was smoke. The original wire produced copious amounts of SMOKE.
Great video Mike. I have a cheap 110vt flux core wire feed welder and used both the Vulcan and Lincoln wire and I will say I don't know to weld properly but both had a ton of splatter and BBs on the stuff I did so maybe I am better than I think and it was the wire. Who knows? I always learn something from your videos. Thanks for making them.
Thanks Tom!
The moment you pulled the trigger on that Forney wire I knew it was going to be the best one of your test. Fabbed and welded for years I weld with my ears as well as my eyes. Thanks for the video
Thanks for watching Brent
Mike I learned by watching your videos. i picked up a HF titanium 125 on discount and jumped quite a bit at the first spark but have learned a lot since then by just doing it..now I am converting an old school bus into an rv and have done a lot of welding already and most likely will do a lot more. not the prettiest but solid welds for the most part...I get better a learn more with every weld. I could not have and would not have tried without your instruction. just wanted to say thanks man!
John hearing things like this really makes my day! Right on Man 👍
I've always used Anti spatter to help with flux core. it just makes things easier to clean up. Great Vid!!
What anti spatter do u use
Check out fireball tool channel. He did an exhaustive tests of anti spatter
@@TheKajunkat cool thanks for the tip
Try using a fan where you are welding. I've found out. The flux core wire welds better in the wind. Blow the smoke out. You can see better. Less splatter and better welds. I found that out one time I was welding. Run out of gas. On a Saturday. No gas store was open. I had some flux core. Loaded it up. Spit spattered couldn't see very well. Opened up my shop doors. Pretty Wind that day. As I was welding. Gusts of wind blew in the shop. I could see well. Hardly any splatter, and it just brushed off. The wind would stop. I couldn't see again and the spit and spattered. The ones I did before the wind. I had to grind off. So now I use a fan. Does great! When you get just enough air to blow the smoke away. I used a box fan at first. I had to turn it at an angle. Now I have a small fan with 3 settings. The lowest setting is great. Welds are really close to using gas. Try it sometime!
THANK YOU! I need all I can get, new to MIG, not stick.
Nice job on doing this comparison. I am about to pull the trigger on a flux core as my first welder. Very informative.
Appreciate it Tom
Hey Mike! Thanks for the tips and I hope you're having a great weekend. I bought my first welder, a really cheap flux core welder a few months ago and made a snow plow from an old oil drum for my lawn tractor. Turned out really good actually. A lot of this interest and curiosity in making things is actually from your awesome build videos which I appreciate a lot, so thanks for that!
I just picked up a Forney flux core welder to start learning to weld with, so this video was very timely. Thanks for the great content.
I don't think I've ever seen a review video done so well. I felt like an appropriate amount of time was spent on each section and product. Very informative and easy to follow. Thank you.
Glad to see someone show off different brands of wire. Especially so people can have a comparison of good wire vs the Lincoln stuff. You can get it easily at the big box stores but that doesn't mean it's good.
Most excellent video. Just bought my first MiG yesterday and have been itching to practice and just lay beads down. Now I know exactly which sort of wire I need to get and what to look forward to.
I'm never going to get better through practice, so the last thing I need is poor-performing wire on top of bad technique. That makes this video A+ for usefulness!
One thing to note is that the Lincoln flux-core is the only wire tested that is approved for multi-pass welding ('-11 type'). The other wires are '-GS type' and are only approved for single-pass welding. Hobart also has '-11 type' flux core wire.
@@origin0000 I think it's *better welders* that create better welds. Flux core has better penetration than MIG and avoids the initial costs of a bottle and gas. Getting a MIG machine allows one to start welding with flux core and wait until needs change and/or funds accumulate before starting MIG welding.
The best video for a beginner yet. Thx.
Great idea to test! Antispatter spray has changed my world when it comes to Flux core welding. I will be getting some Forney to try.
thank you...i had seen another video doing about what you had done with different flux cored...and lincoln...forney looks to be really the winner and easily available now....
Really a good, straight-up comparison, Mike, thank you. I'll be procuring that Hynade welder for my nephews b-day, based entirely upon your review.
Great video Mike. Interesting on the results you found comparing filler wires. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Mike the video is great and full of tips, I thank you for helping this amateur fella get started. I only have a century 125gl unit and a 110 stick welder. Your teaching style is great for me! Keep it up!
Interesting, thanks. I use the INE flux core welding wire AWS E71T-GS. It's very easy to use for great looking welds.
Hey Mike, watched your video a few days ago, then ran out of wire. Tried the Hynade wire, what a difference the wire made. Thanks for the videos!!
Thanks for the info. Tried Forney and it really seems to go on quite smoothly.
Very thorough review. I just started welding this month and bought two spools of 2lbs of Hobart when I got my welder. I’ll try one of those winning wires next time. Thanks.
Wow. The results speak for their selves. Great video Mike, Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching 👍
As someone who is just getting into welding (starting with a Titanium 125 Flux welder from HFT) I thank you VERY much! I'll order some of the Yeswelder to learn with. Thank you again! +1 Sub!
love your detail and the shop looking organized so well!
Thank you for sharing this video & links.
Cheers Mike. Thanks for doing that comparison. That was a good deal of time and effort as well as purchasing the wire in the first place. Greatly appreciated.
Thanks for checking out my new video! Also thanks for appreciating the effort to make this video 👍🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
So glad you made this video. Been using Vulcan since I’ve had a mig welder. Never really thought it welded good. But good enough. So I bought some Lincoln flux core and thought it welded the exact same so I was under the assumption it was me or the machine. My next wire is Forney. If that welds bad I guess I can chop it down to my skills. Lol thanks again Mike.
This is really useful! I do most all of my welding with a gasless welder, and I think I'll be changing my wire brand.
I've been using the Yeswelder wire for a little over a year now and have been very happy with it. Was running the readily available Vulcan before that and was not impressed with it. Thanks for the video
I shut my tank off and reversed the polarity on my Lincoln mig welder and it welds great now!.
Super informative, thanks @Mike!!!
Good to know! Backwards reels always drove me nuts.
Thanks for testing all these wires. I just ordered from the Yeswelder website using your discount code.
I got a small buzz box do to the fact of digging out the big one. I used the. Lincoln wire. Since It was the fasted to find local . The wire was a night and day difference. Even though both of them was purchased at the same time. I will buy some of the forney wire since I have the welder and you recommend it. 😊.
6:21 If it got slag you must drag. Great vid and keep up the good work
Awesome video I'm a novice welder so always looking for tips & ideas to weld better
I have a HF Titanium...been using the Lincon because it is what Lowes always has. I might be trying the Forney now, if it can do a little better and save a few bucks then it seems like a no brainer.
I don't have experience in welding but when you used #4 the sounds seems so smooth.
Mike, about 6 years ago I switched to INE brand flux core welding wire ( bought off of Amazon ). INE is made in Italy and produces less splatter and the weld puddle is a little more fluid with good flux coverage all though the flux seams to be thinner and is smooth welding, crisp start and good looking results and strong welds. There are several KZhead videos on this brand of wire and is how I learned about it. You might want to try it out, I love this wire !, you won't be disappointed ! ! ! Great video !
Thanks for your suggestion David! You are probably the third person to mention that brand of wire, they have all recommended it 👍
Thanks for posting. I'm a newbie welder and learning on a Titanium 125. I've watched some of your other videos about the 125 and also very insightful. I did notice quite a bit of splatter from this versus welding on a MIG machine with gas. I knew there would be splatter with the Flux core wire but seeing this video gives me a little hope that my welds with my little machine can be a bit cleaner. the wire that came with the 125 and it splatters quite a bit! Might also have to do with my inexperience. 😄 I build furniture and have been wanting to add metal work to the things I make. I just realized metal is a whole different, deep rabbit hole, just like woodworking! Love learning new things and glad I came across your channel! 😄☺ Keep up the great and informative work. Only helping me to get better!! Cheers!
I've been a Forney sales rep for 9 years now. One of my favorite things about my job is that I never have to feel bad about selling something to someone. Our products are manufactured to high standards, and when we do occasionally get a bad one (inevitable with mass production), we replace it. My customers (store managers and owners) all know that I'm going to treat them right, and it makes my job easy. One of my biggest customers also has a Lincoln display, about half the size of mine, and they sell far more Forney. I'm glad you mentioned the 1lb roll weight of the Lincoln wire- lots of folks don't notice that, and think it's cheaper.
Right on Steve 🙂 I was definitely impressed with the Forney wire 👍 I haven’t gotten the chance to try out any Forney welders yet, maybe someday I will buy one and test it out ? Take care 🙂
I bet Steve could hook you up 😁
Thanks.
Thanks for taking the time to edit and narrate this video to help us. Your voice overs were helpful
Right on I appreciate it Scott 😊👍
I just ordered Forney. Thank You!! I'm finally at my welding level where I'm worried about the wire. I'm welding on a Vulcan MigMax 215. Solid. Never hit duty cycle.
I personally liked the looks of the weld and lack of spatter on the Forney wire. I have never used Forney before but will definetly buy some now that I've seen your test. Thanks !
Mike, You are the architect of my welding education! Thanks for all the comparison videos and instruction. they are appreciated greatly. Keep it up! (I also enjoy watching the "going out to have fun" videos)
Right on! I really appreciate it Gregory 🙂👍
Great video. I also love the Forney wire as it does run really smooth. The Lincoln wore is a little different as it is the 71T-11 instead of the GS wires like the others. It is the only one rated for multiple pass welds.
Good as always Mike. Saved me some time. My local hardware store carries Forney. I'm just learning MIG and TIG so your videos are very helpful and to the point. Keep up the good work. It takes time to make and edit the videos so thanks for your time and effort my friend it is appreciated.
Nice work man. I’ve used Lincoln Flux .030 for years because like you said it is readily available, I always felt like something was off with it, I think I’ll try the other 3 you suggested. Thanks
The label out on the Forney with the wire being so equal sells it for me.
take about 10 loops off each spool and lay it flat on a table then cut all the loops in the same spot, if one end lifts off the table more than 2" or 3" it has a bad twist in it and that will effect how it runs through the welder and how it effects your bead, I worked at the Lincoln plant that makes that wire
Interesting test Jim 👍
Thanks, a lot of work went into this
Thanks. I spent more on the Lincoln because of the name. I learned today.
Nice, informative video. Thanks for the test !
I'm a Flux-Core welder and still getting the hang of it. Your video was really helpful. Thanks a bunch. Eric in Kissimmee Florida.
Right on! I’m glad my videos are helpful to you Eric 🙂 Thanks man 👍 Keep on welding and having fun 🙂
I bought that bestarc plasma cutter after watching your video I can also say it works great
Thanks for the video on getting hip to what's coming out of the tip. That distance of tip length tip made a lot of difference.
Right on! I’m glad my video was helpful 😊👍
I purchased my welder from forney and have only used their wire. Results have always been good.
Thank you so much for your video I just bought a Titanium 125 and haven't even bought wire yet so it really helps out. Thanks again.
That titanium 125 is a great little welder! You will like it 👍
Outstanding!! This is one of the best videos I've seen on the topic, well done sir and thank you!
I have a Lincoln flux core welder, so I've been getting Lincoln wire spools (Home Depot is just down the road from me too). I shall consider trying those other ones. Thanks for this video!
Great video I saved on watch later when I get my welder it's game on
I found a few tips that would be very handy to know, Thank You for spending the extra money on the different wires so that we wouldn't have too. I purchased a 2 lb. spool flux cored wire from Tractor Supply for 9.98 regular price and it ran great with hardly any BB's. A week before I got a spool from HF ran really badly @ 14.99. Go figure.
I just bought a YesWelder MIG-205DS, & i wondered about wire selection as I placed my first order! Thanks for the informative videos that will teach this guy how to weld!
Are you going to run Argon/CO2 shielding gas or just running Flux wire? If your running Ar/C02 then .030 or .035 solid wire is good. If your running Flux just make sure the welder you ordered has settings for .030 or .035 wire and get whatever size your welder will run. Probably will run both sizes 👍
Watching this a couple of hours after amazon delivered 10lb spool of Yeswelder. All I can say is YES! Also your flux core welds look better than most people's MIG welds. 👍
thanks for taking the time..
Good Video. Been welding flux core for over 30 years. My Lincoln was from 2002 and still going strong. Maybe they don't make em like they used to. I recently tried Kiswel, 40 bucks for 10 lbs, MADE IN USA. Welds great on a Lincoln. Flux core issues are al about the spatter. Its a PIA. The Kiswel product has been going strong from sheet metal all the way to 1/4 steel plate. I would recommend it. Especially since its made in USA. I am in no way affiliated with the company. Just recommending a good product.
I was looking into both of those two wire Lincoln and Vulcan I have a Lincoln 140 mig and I have a Hobart wire it works ok but not really smooth like those 3 that you just showed I’ll give it a try on those thanks for sharing that info keep these good work 👍👍👍
Great Video, very informative and educational. THANK YOU!
Watched this video before, but just noticed something this time that I didn't pick up on before. The Lincoln NR211 is the only wire of the five you tested, that is specified for single or multi-pass welds. The other four were all single pass only wires. Perhaps that might account for it being the most expensive?... Anyway, it is another consideration when looking at these wires.
Hi. Really liked this video. There was much more to learn as you went along. I'm new to flux and needed to know I've been using lousy flux core (Vulcan). I now know what to look for. I wish you had done this on 110 volts to know if the performance is the same. I wouldn't be surprised if you got different results at different voltage. Thanks.
I had a flux core welder several years ago and got great results with Hobart wire. It was far superior over the wire that came with the machine from Harbor Freight.
Thank you for this video. I had the very opposite experience: the wire spool supplied with the welding machine was really bad. As a newbie I had a hard time starting the job. I was trying multiple Amps, Wire speed, welding position...until the spool had to be replaced. The second spool (separately bought in the same place /brand) was so much easier to use... and I did not think even better may be available by changing wire brand / type. But now, I understand a little better and will probably experience with more wire types.
Weird algorithm moment. Ran out of wire at work and boss had to run to home depot. I use the Lincoln wire because it was way better than welding store's wire but now I want this Forney stuff, I think it would help even more filling in rust holes on converters.
Excellent video presentation! Very informative.Thank you!!
Mike thanks for doing this video. I had a friend over tonight that welds and was explaining a similar situation with welding rods for ARC. I explained that not all ARC rods behave the same. I pulled out a brand new package of Blue Demon 7014 rods and had him weld some lines. He was amazed with how much better the rods burned and didn't stick or fail to ignite. Not all rods, or wires are the same. So I really appreciate your effort and hope people understand this effort on your part.
Thanks a lot John!!!
I'll try some Forney wire...$16.99 on Amazon. My cheap Harbor Freight 170 flux core welder gets similar results using the Vulcan...never tried anything else. Thanks.
I have an ancient Forney stick welder. I love that 500 lb tank. I like their welding wire. I never cared for Lincoln wire, it always seemed to run odd to me.
Thanks for a quick, concise review.
I know it's not dual voltage. But, the titanium 125 Flux core welder is a great machine as well. In my opinion. Will try the Forney wire as well. Thanks for the video on the different wire. Very helpful.
Great comparison video. I have always like the Forney welding products and have used them most of my career.
I didn't see link for your 3 favorite Flux wire cost. Great have to start some were.
Excellent review! Thank you for your efforts.
Enlightening vid, your right vulcan at HF Lincoln at lowes easy to pick up, good to know theirs better options without having to do the hit and miss work. Thanks
New Becoming welder here.... Looking to weld some decorating frames together! Thank you my man on the video. You pointed me in the right direction when it comes to products and welding of choice. You gave a very concise comparison presentation Mike!!!
Thanks for checking out my videos 😊 Here’s an older video I made but it will probably be helpful for you especially when starting out. How to weld, Tips for Beginners kzhead.info/sun/lZGzeZqHgZdjnKM/bejne.html
Thank you for the excellent comparison of wires. I have welded with MIG, TIG, and Stick mostly. I have a little Walmart flux machine that I use on thin stuff. Clean is the first item. If it's any thicker stuff preheating with the propane torch helps lots. I don't do any serious welding with the thing, but I do find it is real good for tacking pre-weld for my 36 year old Craftsman AC/DC 225 stick welder. I've put that machine through hell. I'd recommend it to anyone if it was just as good today. It was made by Century. I did use the flux machine to weld patches in my friends mower deck and liked the results. I need to get a more serious flux machine in the future and I know whose videos I can reference to make a good decision. Cheers Terry from South Carolina
Thanks for watching Terry!
Terry,I have just acquired a Century 100 amp to do thin mower decks,info on #wire,speed greatly appreciated, thanks, Ken
Thanks for sharing, I am a beginner and need tips like this. 👍
Hi. Thanks for the informative video. You explained clearly my questions to mig wielding with gas less flux core wire.
The Lincoln wire Is the only wire out of the bunch that is E71T-11 which means it's actually rated and tested for 70k pounds and can be used with multi passes. There's an important difference between E71T-GS and E71T-11. If your welding for strength go with the Lincoln or another that's actually tested and rated.
Thanks for adding this important comment. Now I wonder if there is a similar distinction for stick electrodes.
@@DamEngineer I don't remember all the details about how to read label but specs are on the electrode. What those numbers mean can be found.
The ‘Off brands” are from makers we don’t know, and often the labels buy whatever is cheapest at the time. So one may be good one time, and bad another. Spatter and blueberries are as much a matter of technique as wire brand. I’ve found that different wires need to be welded somewhat differently. Some require a bit more or less amperage to weld at their best. You just have to practice a bit with either before using them.
Thanks for the info. I've been using the Lincoln for my very few attempts at welding and I've done multiple passes without thinking twice.
@@DamEngineer yes there is, last digit of the number of the rod (7018, 6010, 6011) determines what the flux composition is and the application for the rods. Example, 0 is cellulose fast freeze DC current, 1 is cellulose fast freeze AC or DC current, 8 is low hydrogen iron powder fill freeze.
that brown wrapper paper that is right against the wire is probably VCI paper or "Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor" wrap which exudes an anti-corrosion vapor that coats the wire with a monomolecualr film to prevent tarnish or rust. it is only effective if sealed up inside those mylar bags.
Well thought out review. Thanks for your efforts!