#1 Way to Get Better Flux Core Welds

Self-shielded (gasless) flux cored is great...when it's going well. I'll show you how to make it go well more often.

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Welding and metalwork can be dangerous. While I try to set an example of safety, these videos are for entertainment and general education and do not provide all the information you may need to work safely. Tim and TimWelds LLC assume no responsibility for the outcome of anything you choose to do. This description contains affiliate links which provide a small commission on sales at no cost to you.

Gasless self shielded Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), often called gasless MIG welding is a wire feed welding process that doesn't use a shielding gas, but rather uses a flux within a tubular wire electrode to shield the molten weld puddle from oxidation.

[jku]

Seeing the puddle has always been a major problem- it ties in strongly with the right helmet settings, which are also a mystery. As an extremely nearsighted guy with floaters, I have a hard time even reading, so looking at the puddle with bad eyes, floaters, a smoked up and dusty lens from trying to look too closely, and light dazzled eyes from the auto helmet darkening too late…. Long story short I’ve been through two semesters of welding class where I failed both, and on and off trying to weld for 30 years now, its a bit of an issue.
But I will keep trying until I can’t move my hands anymore.
Anyone that says welding is easy hasn’t tried to teach this Mr Magoo to weld.
That being said, these videos are the best resource I’ve ever had, because rather than banging on about how easy it is, you are actually addressing real problems that I have, without making me feel dumberer.

[theapolloexperiment]

Thank you for this! I have just recently began welding and the way you explained this really created a “click” moment.

[kamarudinbinhanipah]

Everybody upload videos welding on thick materials. The actual challenge is 16 gauge metals and below!!!

[planeflyer]

Thanks, Tim. Being able to see the puddle has been my biggest issue, primarily due to reflections from behind the helmet once the arc is struck. I now have a t-shirt jury rigged across the back to block out ambient light. Helps immensely!

[Bushy-]

Hi Tim. I have just purchased a Ssinder 140 stick / flux core welder. My dad taught me to weld many many years ago so I thought I would try and reignite my skills, not for work, mainly for a hobby as I am disabled (2 stroke survivor) and your videos are a god send.

[BruceLyeg]

Excellent advice. Being able to see the puddle is the most important things in welding, being able to control the puddle is second. It's only second because you can't control what you can't see.
My first auto darkening helmet was a cheap one and I loved it. It was great being able to see to strike the arc and having it darken all by its lonesome and lighten up when the flash was done. My welds kinda suffered when I started using it and couldn't figure out why. I loved it! Then I realized I just wasn't seeing the puddle like I should was was really only making half decent beads because of experience and muscle memory. I switched to a bronze lens Speedglas that's literally like flicking on a light bulb, I can see everything!
A decent helmet (fixed lens or auto dark) and magnifying glasses if you need them, if you need them to read you need them to weld!
I paint cars more than I weld but the skills and techniques are very similar and easily transferable.
Thanks for the tips, you're definitely one of my favorite welding channels.
Now I feel like I need to go out to the garage and run beads using flux core, it's been awhile since I've used flux core for anything other than a quick zap. I keep a cheap Chicago Electric flux core wire feed welder for tasks like that and my Lincoln for most other things. I've got a big old Forney buzz box that gets used for the heavy duty stuff, like 1/2" plate bumpers that Jeep guys seem to like (and then wonder why they handle so badly lol)
Thanks again

[abm]

spot on - welding for about a month and I did not see the puddle until last week. changed my welding life. much more enjoyable when you can see actually see the target.

[TinoushGTR]

I'm totally new to flux welding or welding in general. I exercised first at a piece of metal and it was fine. When I started to weld the joint at the same speed, I made holes into the material. I turned down the machine and it got better. Boy I got a long way to go.

[ericcastillo]

I enjoyed you explanations about welding, I'm new to it and i purchased the 125 and after watching this, gives me a hope that i will be good at welding. i highly recommend any one who want to start off welding for crafts, Dyi, or simply welding around the house I would watch this video, explains are on point. Thank again. ! Eric from California

[Huttify]

Thank you! Showing what the weld puddle is, is something youtubers aren't too good at. I have only done spot welds with my flux core until now, so this information was very useful.

[Skilleddathrill]

I'm going to admit something that probably many welders won't. I've been welding for a little more than 12 years, but most has been with GSMAW/Gas shielded mig, only last few months I've wanted to get back into getting familiar with fluxcore. Well, it's been almost 2 months since my last bit of welding... and, oh wow I put down some ugly welds. So bad I told myself "OK, te to take a step back, go do something else for a little and come back to it". During my break I looked up your video here. Not only was I moving too fast, I've got a lot of stressful things on my mind, and I wasn't paying alot of attention to my settings. Somewhere in moving the welder around my knows got moved and it assisted in my confusion with why things were so off. I was getting over temp alarms on my welder, and one sided beading of my weld in a vertical down lap joint on 3/16 steel. My prep was good my positioning was... not great... and too hot with way too slow wire feed, while moving too fast. I was in a hurry. A hurry to feel like a dumby apparently.
And that my welder friends is something I've never ever seen a fellow welder admit face to face. Ever.
Stay humble, stay hungry for knowledge, and as always Be thankful for the guys willing to share their knowledge and skills to keep us from loosing our minds when we get off track with what we're doing with our welds.

jeez... I'm glad my friends haven't seen this weld, I better clean it up and fix it before anyone sees it... I got a reputation and what not... lol

[BionicRusty]

To call me a novice is an understatement.
I’m below novice and have to revise every time I try to weld.
This video is getting saved in my Welding file. 🙏

[-DIYPRO-]

Great points! I would have never thought to compare welding to painting but it works, watch the weld!

[paulkurilecz]

Good video. I can vouch for the bead padding exercise. It definitely helps you learn to be very consistent in how beads are being laid down. It also will show very quickly as to how well you are wetting in (fusing) to the previous bead. Then I recommend sawing the coupon in half perpendicular to the weld travel to check the cross section.

[Airgunfunrich]

The other big similarity between welding and painting is preparation!

[miszced]

Right on Tim! It's like developing a six sense while coordinating your available senses. Know your arc!

[joeyw]

As in all your videos, you provide great advice in an easliy understable presentation. Your videos have been a great help and teaching tool. Thank you.

[CarlYelvington-qogo]

Awesome vid. Thank you for the great explanation. The comparison of spraying automotive finishes and being able to "see" your welding puddles helped me out big time. Nice post.

[michelbelanger]

I purchased your course and followed each lessons, but that last video and pic nailed it for me.

[motorvN]

Great video - thank you. Got probably 2 hrs total weld time but feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it after a 1 evening course. Our instructor said “lousy welders are usually good grinders …” lol. Will watch for that magic puddle for sure.