Welding Tips and Tricks

I finally got my 3 phase installed a few days ago and running really nice aluminium beads on the new machine.

I do however want to get drive rollers for standard mig wire as well as flux core, and the latter only because I've never done it. While I was looking around I came across this

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/swan-vi ... 1135140497

Seems to be a bit exotic and overkill but at $30 for a 15kg roll, well its a third of the price of the cheapest stuff at the local welding supplies. The only MSDS I could find on the stuff was what the seller used to cut and paste into the ad. For shielding gas it says on the MSDS the following;

TÜV (No. 03461), GL, DNV, ABS
Rod diameter x length [mm] Current type Shielding gas (EN ISO 14175)
1,6 x 1000 DC (-) I 1 R 1
2,0 x 1000 DC (-) I 1 R 1
2,4 x 1000 DC (-) I 1 R 1
3,2 x 1000* DC (-) I 1 R 1

Assuming that is for tig welding though as all I figured out on L1 and R1 is one is straight argon the other 98/2 argon helium. Any info on that would be great too.

At that price though I'm thinking of just buying a few rolls. My primary use is general steel fabrication, some galvanised, some SS from time to time and maybe some light structural. Seems like the nickel and chromium would only make this stuff even better. Is there a situation with the kind of work mentioned above where this wire could be detrimental?

The manual for my MIG machine suggests special drive rollers for flux core wire- and the company doesn't sell them. One of the technical guys on their forum suggested using the solid wire drive rollers for flux core wire, which seems to work fine. You might give that a try, just to save the expense and effort of acquiring more drive rollers.

I believe we used to use any set of rollers that were grooved for both sides. To keep from creating a flat spot on one side that caused feed problems.

Rollers arent too much of a problem, got a call back today regarding them, only issue is the ridiculous price. But I got some flux core rollers in .045 and a set for solid wire in .035

Main thing I'm curious about is that wire in the link. Its Ni Cro Mo flux core. Local supplier said that mix of wire doesn't come in flux core so the conversation stopped there. But I'm wondering if there are any ill effects from using it as an all rounder on mild steel or stainless etc given how cheap it is.

I love the way someone says that that doesn't exist even though you are staring right at it. Ni cro mo wires a believe are high temps service like boilers and steam pipes. It will likely be fine for normal steel but may also run like crap. It'll be toxic as all get out, so use your respirator. It'll probably require a different gas like argoshield 52 which is 75/25 mix.

That's a point I completely overlooked, fumes. Chromium fumes would be nasty I imagine.

I don't have a respirator. The only reason I wanted flux core was to hopefully get some nicer welds, something closer to spray transfer but on vertical etc. Also better when I need it outside (self shielded).

Standard wire probably not so toxic I suppose, but I might look into a respirator anyway. I weld a bit of gal and usually stay out of the plume or hold my breath but that sucks.

Buy it, have a play but don't expect it to take the place of a specific product such as Hobart XLR8 or Cigweld 3xp. Specialist wires such as the nicro mo sometimes run like shit

I have 1.2 rollers but can take them back and swap them I think.

I could keep them and use something like your Cigweld suggestion or go to self shielded and swap the rollers for 1.6

In your experience if not welding outside, occasionally welding less than clean steel and most of the time out of position would you prefer gas shielding or self shielded or doesn't make a difference? Price difference covers the few bottles of mig gas saved so its not really a cost issue. Just wondering if self shielded wire is not as good as gas shielded but a necessary compromise when welding outdoors.

I'll skip the nicro stuff, mainly due to fumes. My son is often around the workshop when I'm welding and I'd rather not have those kind of fumes around if possible.

1.2 wire is about all you need. Keep the knurled rollers. I wouldn't go out especially and get flux core, but keep an eye out. If you have S6 mig wire you can weld steels that are a bit manky, as long as the thick flaky surface rust is removed (wire brush). The main benefits of the wires I mentioned is deposition rate. The mechanical properties aren't all that different to S6 you just need to be more wary of machine settings as the wire isn't fast freeze like flux core that i mentioned