Flux Core Welding Basics for Beginners *W/ A Cheap Welder

Couple Tips and Tricks to making your Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) or gasless MIG welds looking AWESOME!

YesWelder affiliate link (The little bit that comes back to me goes into the videos):
use coupon code: MECHMASTER

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10% Code: MM

If you don't want to buy anything online then Harbor Freight is a great place to pick up supplies on a budget.

Flux Core Basics 0:26
Accessories 0:55
Metal Prep 3:50
Welder Setup 4:17
Technique 6:02

[-DIYPRO-]

Nice Welds!! Congrats to "The Kansas Angler" for winning the welding helmet.
You can keep the comments coming and stay subscribed for more!

[mikejohn]

Good job getting to the point. No fluff or crazy background music. Videos like this you learn better than in class.

[cenury]

Let me start off by saying that there is a lot of great advice in this video, and I, like many in the comments here, really appreciate the lack of fluff and/or garbage filler to pad the runtime.

That said, I've been welding for over a decade now, and I take issue with a couple of things that you said here.

First, never use a cut-off wheel to clean up metal. They aren't designed to handle any axial thrust loading, and if you choose to use them instead of the proper grinding wheel, wire wheel, or abrasive flap disc, it will only be a matter of when, not if, you will have one shatter, hurling shards in every direction along the axis of rotation....which brings me to my second concern; PPE, or personal protective equipment. Gloves aren't just for people with soft hands. Anyone welding without gloves and long sleeves is asking to get skin cancer, as welding arcs produce intense light in the UV spectrum, along with visible and infrared. That kind of UV light can and will burn you like a nasty sunburn, both from direct exposure, and indirect exposure such as the reflection from surrounding surfaces, both metallic and otherwise. Trust and believe that you want to wear all the recommended PPE. Safety glasses, ear protection, gloves are the bare minimum for using a grinder, and gloves, a welding jacket, and a self darkening hood is the bare minimum for welding.

Beyond that, great video.

[boercker]

Great video and information, one thing I would suggest for any rookies out there is do not ever clean metal with a cutoff wheel like is depicted in this video. The thin disks can flex and explode because of their high rpm. If you need to really take off some material, use a flap disc instead. You can be seriously injured when a cutoff wheel fails, trust me, it’s terrifying.

[alwoolhouse]

Excellent video, concise, no music, no BS, just clear, jargon free, relevant advice delivered confidently and in an accessible and friendly manner. Wish more Youtube videos were like yours sir. Well played.

[etplantation]

Great Video. Dude, you help more novice welders than I can imagine. Keep up the great work. No nonsense and straight to the point. Good quality on the vid as well.

[Ammmmmm]

This guy’s voice reminds me so much of the Project Farm Chanel and I love it. Keep it up man! Great info for someone wanting to build a new skill

[xsailor]

This has to be one of the best welding videos I’ve seen on all of YouTube. Straight to the point & easy to understand should get anybody up and welding in no time!

[joecomparato]

Thanks for your to the point videos. I welded years ago and now got me the titanium 125. I was 20 when i welded before and now I’m 74. What a big help having your info for refresher and confidence to start back. Appreciate ya, and look forward to watching more. Thanks again Joe C.

[wingrider]

I tried my first welds today...it was a total disaster🤣 First, the puddles that look so big and easy to define on the videos, I can barely see at all. I can't get my wire speed and power matched up even though I was following the charts...it was a fiasco. I did learn that dipping your nozzle in tip jelly really helps keep it clean. I also learned the wire is not hot until you pull the trigger 😲 I learned the metal stays hot a long time after you stop (ouch) and I realized it ain't as easy as the pros make it look. Lots of practice needed. The best achievement of the day...the house didn't catch fire😆

[philrudd]

I bought a Chicago Electric flux/mig welder to start learning how to weld.
Your video was the first I’ve watched that shows the preparation.

[dad]

I have The cheap welder for flux core and get acceptable results. I bought the NEW cheap flux core welder and it’s pumping out amazing results! Same stick out, same techniques, same materials, but DC is better at laying down smooth beads with flux core than AC is. Can be done but AC leaves more spatter, is less forgiving of even your heart beat, but can get DEEP into the parent metal. I love that my old blue AC spatterking9000 can burn into rusty metal covered in grease and stick them together as long as I make a clean spot for my ground. It’s like an under powered stick welder that uses wire. Not as good with thick materials as stick but I have a buddy’s stick welder for that.

[jamessexton]

Im a complete novice and Ive watched 10 or more videos on "how to do it" without having yet tried. This video is the only one to explain everything, understandably. Thank you :)

[kkunkel]

I bought the Titanium Flux-125 a little over a year ago and can confirm it is a great entry level flux core welder. I changed out the grounding clamp, one that Harbor Freight sells (small upgrade). Totally agree that practice with some research will build confidence in hobby welding projects.

[Lakecenterlawncare]

I just bought the Titanium welder. After watching many vids, including this one, I have had a lot of success and nice welds. Thanks!

[paulkelly]

I have the HD cheapie flux core welder and this is just the info I have been looking for. Best of any channel I have looked at so far. Thank you for posting it.

[mbrooks]

Ive been looking forever for a straight to the point helpful video thank you

[felineth]

Good video, well explained and straight to the point! And no bad music in the background! Thanks!

[alext]

Good video. No baloney, straight up and to the point. Very good use of my time. Thank you.

[michaeljackman]

Cheers mate that was straight up helpful bruz. I have just purchased a 4 in 1 / 250 AMP Rossi and the first thing I did was go to Bunnings and grab some .8 mm flux core yeah ! So now I know what I need to to you Sir