Anything welding

Correct, straight flux core is generally the most recommended welding process for those with little/no experience.
I personally haven't used straight flux core for more than a bead and a few tacks and I'm not a fan of how it welds.

MIG is definitely a step up, the arc is much smoother and more stable, the weld turns out much more consistent.
The only difference between flux core and MIG is how the weld is shielded from the atmosphere, with MIG you have an inert gas flowing out of the tip and around the arc/weld area, MIG uses a solid wire.
With flux core you have a wire with a hollow tube in the center filled with flux, when the arc is initiated the heat from the arc burns the flux which creates a shielding gas and a physical shield on the weld which is slag.

I was taught to weld on dual shield (I went into college in the wire feed semester, which is usually the 2nd semester that is taught) and then my second semester was stick, however if I were to learn again I would probably pick to learn stick first and then go to wire feed.

 

Flux core works better outdoors in windy conditions also. The gas will be blown away from the arc if using MIG under thise conditions leading to ugly welds, porosity, contamination etc

 

I had to look it up to be sure, it was one of those things that was covered in class that 90% of people didn't pay attention to.

 

Correct, flux core can be used just about anywhere whereas if you have a breeze with MIG you have to crank up the flow of gas and even then you can have porosity.
If I'm welding out of the shop though I tend to use stick because of engine driven welders and not having to worry about shielding gas or wire feeds.

 

All this book learn'in is pretty cool.

I should be doing my first practice weld next week.

 

I learned stick first. 6011 rod with an AC only welder. Things improved once I learned about different rod and their polarity requirements...lol

 

I won't use flux core inside. The BB's go everywhere! The fire hazard is just too great.

 

I have to say even though I only weld as a hobby I really enjoyed learning all the technical aspects of welding that were covered in class, if you can find a book on welding at the library check it out and go through it just for curiosity's sake, there's a lot of info in there you will never use but there are also some little things that people forget to mention that can make it much easier.

Be sure to post pics!

I can't remember if I've ever run 6011, I think I may have but I know if I have it was only a rod or two.
You learned on one of the little Lincoln tombstones didn't you? I am not a fan of those, I had to use one for a project and 7018 AC just sucks compared to 7018 DC+

 

Good to know.

After buying my Hobart, first thing I did was install a decent fire extinguisher in my garage.

 

Yep. Good old Lincoln. No clue what happened to that thing. Ended up with a big Miller welder/generator after that(long story) and me and my buddy started melting all kinds of shit. And my brother was always a source of free rod. Then learned flux core, and finally picked up my Lincoln SP-100. Think it is over 20 years old now.

 

Should have been there already....
Shit like that will make you lose your Safety Officer certification.

 

I had one two in the garage. But they were the smaller household models. Needed to step up...

Now I have three

 

You're just jelly of my Dewalt 12" sliding miter saw in the background.

 

I never had a problem Running hard wire outside it just takes a little common sense.

I see more Porosity from people cranking the gas flow to high some crank it up it forces the solenoid open

Now if your talking 40 or more MPH winds that is a good excuse to stay home in bed

The good old days With Airco`s Verticore wire .

Then back in the days of building I 78 all the Hard Facing many found it cost effective to start running wire .

They tell me Flux core is much better now I tried it back in the days it first came out I did not care for it never used it since even though I keep getting Rolls of it

 

Not jealous. That model is the best SCMS thar DeWalt ever made, and it deserves to be used and enjoyed instead of spending most of its life ignored in the garage.

 

I do bring it outside once in awhile to get some sun.

 

Fwiw I like my flux core. Yeah it's smokey and you have to chip slag, but it's nice not having to worry about gas and you can weld dirtier/rusty metal. It does suck to weld sheet metal with it.

 

This is true.

 

... And then you get into +.045 dual shield spray. That's the money maker right there.

Honestly though, all processes have their appropriate place.

 

I was messing around with spray welding on my friends 3 phase machine, what a crazy process. Sounds like the damn machine is going to blow up lol.

Every process does have its place. 90% of the stuff we do to our trucks can be with 115v mig machine. I did my front axle flip, and SAS with one and I haven't killed any busses of nuns yet. 8 of the 9 people I wheel with all built their rigs using 115v machines.