I have a 110v welder that's spooled up with flux core (no gas kit) and am contemplating using this setup to patch some holes in my firewall, I know i'll need to do some extra clean up, or should i bite the bullit and get a gas kit??

From my SHORT experience doing sheetmetal, all I managed to do with .030" or .035" flux-core was burn holes through it or make a huge mess. I guess it would depend on the thickness of the area you're trying to weld. I'd stick with .023" and .025" and use gas on sheetmetal that thin.
Just IMHO

I have heard of guys trying that core stuff, and no body had much good to say about it. I personally, am on the bottle(C-25) with .023 wire.

------------------
Jim
67 Camaro SS Conv.
70 Challenger R/T Conv.

ragtop
The biggest problem with flux whether it be mig or blazing, is that it leaves a residue. And nether filler or paint will stick to it and the really bad part is that the little spots you miss on clean up, generally bubble the paint about a year down the road. Sandblasting a flux weld will general get it clean enought, but that's so messy. If you can swing it get a tank,and regulator. Your sheet metal and other welding will be so much nicer and easier.
Bill

And a good trick I have found is to use a piece of copper bar behind the welling area during wellding to keep the heat down and help from blowing holes thru the thin sheet metal. Some times I just use a magnet to hold the copper in place.

Look at the recommendations inside the spool access cover on your welder. I think you'll find that once you get below a certain thickness, gas is recommended. I run what they call C25 gas ( I believe it's 75% argon and 25% CO2). Well worth the investment. Besides not having to chip welds and dealing with dirty residue, you can just about turn it down as low as it will go and lay a nice bead on sheet metal. If all you were trying to do was patch a few holes, I might be tempted to say go for it. If you plan on doing more than a few, get the gas. If you plan on welding visable patches - definately get the gas.

Also the advice about a copper plate is right on. I have a scrap piece that I use for hole patching and it works dandy. Can be a bit tough to use on a firwall though depending on where the holes are. I wouldn't try to patch holes without a plate. The weld won't stick and prevents the puddle from blowing out the back side.

-dnult

I just got the gas setup today. tried the flux core with .025 wire before today & kept burning holes on the lowest setting. My welding supplier suggested co2. works great! Even my welds look good! It was well worth the price of the kit.
Terry

[This message has been edited by TSN100 (edited 09-06-2002).]

.025" flux-core? I didn't know they made such a beast.

Just keep in mind that CO2 is hotter than the mix gases. If you ever do panel work and have problems burning through, try a different gas.

-dnult

So your saying that a better or easier weld can be had with co2/argon mix? I'm pretty happy with this, but if the mix is easier, and less likely to burn holes, I'm all for trying. As for the .025 flux core, i'll have to double check, maybe I'm wrong about the size. The welder was given to me by a friend/customer that upgraded, and the flux core was already in it. As you can probably tell, I have never welded anything in my life, but I am really pleased with the final results, so far. Thanks, Terry

Just to get a little anal on you here: http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

If you are using CO2 than you are not "MIG" welding, you are GMA welding. MIG stands for "Metal Inert Gas". CO2 is not an inert gas and does not mix with the weld, it only shields it. The argon is inert and mixes with the weld to cool it.
So, C02 will produce a hotter weld. The good part is you need less amperage. It will produce more spatter and is not recommended for use on high strength steel. Which you don't have to worry about on your sixties Camaro.
This does not mean that you now call your welder a GMA (Gas Metal Arc) it is commonly called a MIG and should be. But the change of gas type does change things.

------------------
1965 Buick Gran Sport Conv.
1965 Buick Skylark h/t
Fan of anything that is interesting and moves human beings.
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
1948 Chevy PU with 401 Buick

ok , sorry I bothered posting, It won't happen again.

TSN100, I don't see any smilely faces there, I sure hope you are joking. http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif


------------------
1965 Buick Gran Sport Conv.
1965 Buick Skylark h/t
Fan of anything that is interesting and moves human beings.
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
1948 Chevy PU with 401 Buick

Me too. There's no need to be overly sensitive. MartinSr. was only trying to be informative and be of some help. He wasn't trying to take a shot at anyone.

I've been shopping for a tank and that's easy, but I couldn't decide whether to do C25 (argon/CO2) or just CO2. I think I just made up my mind and will go with the Argon/CO2 mix.