I currently have .030 Flux core crap. although I have gas too with a solid wire of the same thickness, what is a good wire size to use for basic welding, like Floors and other things of similar thickness steel.

many people tell me that .030 is "too fat" and spatters all over the place, which it is slag city on flux core, its not THAT bad on solild core. I have alot to learn about welding, but I can make a big mess like an expert now!, Another Quick Question,

is this a butt weld (where the W is the weld and the -- is the metal

butt weld? ----WW----

and a lap weld is similar , yet the 2 panels overlap and you weld in the place where the panels overlap?

[This message has been edited by Chris Edwards (edited 03-12-2002).]

Chris,
To make a long story short and so people dont have to retype , heres the link that helped me out greatly.

I butt welded most of the panels and lap welded one section. When i lap welded the section I put the new over the old (from the inside) I then went and filled in the underside with sealer (aircraft type) and then POR 15 over that. the entire inside got POR 15 .

As for the W in butt welding they make a vise-grip type tool that will make the W for you but i didnt use one.

http://www.camaros.net/forum/Forum3/HTML/002471.html

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Jeff 67/68 & 69 RS's
65 442 www.hobbystage.net/camaro/hawaiiancamaro (http://www.hobbystage.net/camaro/hawaiiancamaro)

[This message has been edited by HawaiianCamaro (edited 03-12-2002).]

Chris, I am using .023 copper coated solid wire with Gold blend shielding gas (argon and co2 I believe) in my Miller Mig welder. Works much better than the Sears Craftsman I had to send back. The .030 flux core is not the best choice for thin sheet metal as you already suspect. I set my Miller on the lowest setting and adjust the wire feed speed for more or less penetration. Works great on the thin sheet metal. The lap joint overlaps and the butt joint is just as you illustrated, edge to edge with no overlap. Try a spool of that thin wire. You will need a smaller contact tip and possibly a new pinch roller. The miller can use the same roller as the .030 but the Craftsman welder had a reversible roller setup. Enjoy!

-Mark.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris Edwards:
I currently have .030 Flux core crap. although I have gas too with a solid wire of the same thickness, what is a good wire size to use for basic welding, like Floors and other things of similar thickness steel.

many people tell me that .030 is "too fat" and spatters all over the place, which it is slag city on flux core, its not THAT bad on solild core. I have alot to learn about welding, but I can make a big mess like an expert now!, Another Quick Question,

is this a butt weld (where the W is the weld and the -- is the metal

butt weld? ----WW----

and a lap weld is similar , yet the 2 panels overlap and you weld in the place where the panels overlap?

[This message has been edited by Chris Edwards (edited 03-12-2002).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris Edwards:
I currently have .030 Flux core crap. although I have gas too with a solid wire of the same thickness, what is a good wire size to use for basic welding, like Floors and other things of similar thickness steel.

many people tell me that .030 is "too fat" and spatters all over the place, which it is slag city on flux core, its not THAT bad on solild core. I have alot to learn about welding, but I can make a big mess like an expert now!, Another Quick Question,

is this a butt weld (where the W is the weld and the -- is the metal

butt weld? ----WW----

and a lap weld is similar , yet the 2 panels overlap and you weld in the place where the panels overlap?

[This message has been edited by Chris Edwards (edited 03-12-2002).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JOEVANNUS:
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey Chris sorry about returning your post on your question! Still try to get the hang of this computer stuff! Any as someone else has posted earlier I think .023 wire would be a better way to go. A 75% argon co2 mix works great!I've use my 110 miller mig welder for years and it works great on sheetmetal.I've heard that the flux wire does leave alot spatter and etc.Well best of luck! Take care Joe VanNus.

thanks everyone, I think I am going to change to a thinner wire and use MartinSr's tip on cutting the wire before welding. I usually produce so much crap that I have more of a pile , I currently have a Sears Mig welder, its a Craftsman model 20511 has a 1 2 3 4 for Voltage, (I take it thats penetration) and a wire speed dial of 1-8 , I usually use about a 5-6 wire speed and keep the tip close. but I plan to practice this weekend before attempting my floorboards. I also am going to look for that welding book everyone talks about (but I forget the name off the top of my head)

The details of my welder are here will this be enough for floorpans and other "car stuff"---

&gt;Craftsman 90 amp 120 Volt Welder
&gt;5 more amps of power for the same price as &gt;last year's model! Uses 120-volt current. &gt;Welds steel from thin 24 gauge to thick &gt;3/16 in. in a single pass, stainless steel &gt;from 18 gauge through 1/8 in.
&gt;Welds using flux-cored welding wire on &gt;steel from 18 gauge through 3/16 in. &gt;Handles 0.024, 0.030 diameter welding wire &gt;on spools up to 10 lb. 20 percent duty &gt;cycle at 90 amps. Welds up to 125 amps. 4 &gt;output settings. 20 max. primary amps (can &gt;use on 15 amp circuit). Max. 31 open &gt;circuit volts.





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Chris's 67 RS/SS,can be seen at http://www.67rs.com
check out another site once in a while! http://www.fbodyconnection.com

[This message has been edited by Chris Edwards (edited 03-12-2002).]

.030 is to big for sheet metal work.Try some were around .025.Then step up to about .035 for your thicker material.You can weld 1/4" to about 3/8" steel with .035 wire no problem.

Brian W.

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71 camaro 540 CI Th/400 3500stall,Cal-Tracs,4:10,1050 Dom on Pump Gas.

I just installed floor on my buddies 69 this past weekend with .030 wire. Not too much problem. Tacked them in first to hold em in place and started at it. I weld about 1 inch sections and move around to different areas as to not warp the metal from too much heat sinking. My Hobart/ Miller was set on 2 heat range and 5 wire speed. I will agree though that .025 would most likely work better. Just clean the metal to remove paints and oils before you start. Or it will spit like crazy. Also stay away from flux core wire. You just don't get the strength you normally could get from a sheilded wire.

The .025 mig wire will be fine for sheet metal.

One question I have is what polarity are you using? Mig and flux core welding require different polarity connections.
mig must have positive electrode polarity,
flux core must have negative electrode polarity.
Some machines have a switch to change polarity but some must have the cables switched by changing the post connections.

The mig process is better for most people but flux core wire can be used, I have no problems with flux core but I have plenty of experience.

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Life aint easy when you're fat and greasy


Ole Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/newpaint1.jpg)

I reverse the polarity myself with switching the poles inside the welder where the spool is. couple of bolts hold 2 copper looking plates, it has a diagram inside for what to set it to depending on the weld type, flux core or sheilded gas.

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Chris's 67 RS/SS,can be seen at http://www.67rs.com
check out another site once in a while! http://www.fbodyconnection.com