Questions about a tank for my new Mig Welder...

[CNC Dan]

watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaJZDbjMzkc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

then watch all his other videos. Best welding videos on youtube.

 

[CNC Dan]

Any MIG welder can run fluxcore, just pick up a 2lb spool of 0.035 for starters and put it on the machine just as you would MIG wire. No gas connection needed. Very simple. Easy peasy lemon squeezy as my daughter would say.

Don't forget to change polarity.

 

[IslandTractor]

Don't forget to change polarity.

Absolutely right, forgot to add that critical point.

 

[IslandTractor]

Here is a good video from Jody going over at least some of the fluxcore issues and use of a 110v mig welder on 3/16" steel. 115 volt Flux Core Welder Tips - YouTube

 

[Shield Arc]

Really need to read the manufacturer's specs first. Several Innershield wires run on DCEP. NR-305, NS-3M, NR-5, NR-5A. Couple of these wires are for really heavy structural welding, not many here will ever have a need for these wires though!

 

[brin]

Bob, one more question. Are you sure your mower deck is 3/8"? That is really very heavy duty.

I wondered about that, maybe he meant 3/16. Even that is thicker than some

Exactly. 10 gauge is probably about or more than what most standard duty mower decks are made of. I don't think even the heavy duty mowers have more than 3/16 or 1/4".

But that is very good news for Bob as anything under 1/4" would be right in the sweet spot for a 110v MIG machine running fluxcore. No need to bevel and the repair could easily be done with one good pass or better one from each side along with the holes as Shield Arc noted.

Bob, Miller sells a very nice thickness gauge for cheap money. Pick one up, you'll need to know the actual thickness to get an accurate initial setting on the welder.

Oppps, I did mean 3/16 ths. I guess I better also practice measuring twice and opening my mouth or welding once....LOL, by the way I was watching some mig welding videos on line and one showed that Dicks sporting goods sells paintball tanks of C02 and they showed it hooked up to a mig welder just like mine....it is a small tank but so what , I have a Dick's Sporting goods 15 min away...what do you guys think...?

 

[IslandTractor]

Oppps, I did mean 3/16 ths. I guess I better also practice measuring twice and opening my mouth or welding once....LOL, by the way I was watching some mig welding videos on line and one showed that Dicks sporting goods sells paintball tanks of C02 and they showed it hooked up to a mig welder just like mine....it is a small tank but so what , I have a Dick's Sporting goods 15 min away...what do you guys think...?

No, you don't need it. Flux core is better for your use. I used paintball tanks with my Miller Passport but you only get 30 minutes or so of welding from each tank. It would make sense for a pro doing commercial inside welding on location but for your purposes flux core just makes more sense. Less fussy outdoors and you don't yet have the experience to judge gas coverage outdoors. Lincoln nr211 is good. 0.030 or 0.035". Check polarity but I think DCEN is right.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've never taken a test with Lincoln's NR-211. Don't know how true it is, but I've been told it will not pass a bend test. Back in the very early 1980s was the first time I used NR-211, years later NR-211 MP came out. I was told the MP stands for multiple passes. Before the Northridge earthquake in California seems like all the manufactures of gas less flux core kept it under wraps the thickness limits of their wire. I've taken hundreds of bend tests with Hobart's Fab Shield 21-B. Never failed one, a few of them I was surprised that I did pass:shocked:! If you don't need a T-8 wire, 21-B is a great T-11 wire for general fab work.

Product Details - Hobart Brothers Performance Welding Products

 

[IslandTractor]

I've never taken a test with Lincoln's NR-211. Don't know how true it is, but I've been told it will not pass a bend test. Back in the very early 1980s was the first time I used NR-211, years later NR-211 MP came out. I was told the MP stands for multiple passes. Before the Northridge earthquake in California seems like all the manufactures of gas less flux core kept it under wraps the thickness limits of their wire. I've taken hundreds of bend tests with Hobart's Fab Shield 21-B. Never failed one, a few of them I was surprised that I did pass:shocked:! If you don't need a T-8 wire, 21-B is a great T-11 wire for general fab work.

Product Details - Hobart Brothers Performance Welding Products

I'm not quite dumb enough to argue code welds with an experienced pro but I doubt there are any meaningful differences between NR211 and other flux core wire for a repair project like fixing a mower. Proper technique and prep would be areas of concern but most any good branded wire should do the trick. I certainly understand and appreciate the higher standards of code work but imagine there are quite a few mowers with functional welds made with coat hangers so NR211 is likely to be fine. I mentioned it specifically because it is carried by Home Depot so is readily available without needing to get to a local welding supply business.

 

[Shield Arc]

You may not believe this, but I have literally run tons of NR-211, and NR-211MP. I've never taken a test with it, but never had a weld fail either, or at least to my knowledge. I might be mistaken, but in 1982 I think I used NR-211 to weld the city of Dillingham Alaska dock together.

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