NJ B.S. Thread

Some welding tips that can apply to Mig as well as TIG. Get rid of all the mill scale, rust, etc by grinding to brights shiny metal. Wipe down with acetone prior to welding. I used to do the acetone only prior to TIG welding, but it really helps with MIG also.

 

Just grinding the surfaces down to shiny helps a lot on its own

 

Only minimal surface prep. Lincol Superarc .030, 15 cfh

 

Do you prefer 030 to 035 or that’s just what you had loaded

 

Are you talking wire size?

 

One of those is slightly indented.

Minusculey concaved, if you prefer

 

Yizz

 

Sizes and gauges of what you welding would have some determination on wire size.... I'm no welder either but when I was practicing on exhaust piping, the thinner one gave me more control.

 

Not that I have a leg to stand on for recommendation, but in my limited experience I like the 030 much more than 035. Seemed to burn better and my beads looked better with it.

 

I’ve only used .30. It’s worked well. I’m going to stick with it.

I do have a spool of .023 for the firewall and fenders when I tub though. That’ll be another learning experience...

 

My machine caps out at 030. I will probably go back to 023 now that I have a good source for 12# spools.
Basically both will work the same, just have to turn the feed rate higher for the 023 for the same amperage.

 

If your machine is 220V and can handle the amperage, go with .035 for the thicker stuff (>1/8"). You'd be surprised what a difference it will make. Anytime I weld sliders, gussets, thicker tubing, etc. I use .035. For the smaller sheet metal .030 is good or even .023. It's really a balance of wire speed vs. heat vs. how quick YOU can move the MIG gun. So not all wire sizes, heat settings, wire speed will work for everyone. Do what works best for you as far as comfort and ability for welding as well as the strength of the welds.

 

I can max out my machine amperage wise and still have more feed speed than I need. But I do have a 110v machine.
My buddies 220v Miller is actually the same way.
I equate it to TIG welding with smaller filler rod than you are "supposed" to use. You can do it, but have to feed like crazy. Which results in a very sore feed hand the next day.

 

When I tubbed @cynicalrider s Truck I used .035 fluxcore, but remember kids I have a shackle flip and no swaybar on my daily so I like to live dangerously

 

I see your lack of sway bar and shackle flip, and raise you true beadlocks, no ADD, and No catalytic converters.

 

Definitely need to turn that heat up!and wirespeed way down. I usually have my soeed at a 1.5-2 and heat somewhere in the mid to midhigh range but with a 110. Id keep a low wire speed though.

 

My flux core welds dont look nearly as nice but theyre usually pretty shiny

 

I find the auto setting to be a bit too much for the recommended thickness. They make dull grey over heated welds. I think the auto setting for 1/8” is 18.0v at 385 feed; I’d use that for 1/4”.
They’re good ratios though.