Gasless Flux Core Welding Tips, Make Better Cleaner Welds

In this video, Mike Festiva introduces a comparative test of five different flux core wires. He explains that the purpose of the test is to determine the quality of various brands, as he has noticed differences in spatter and performance. Mike shares his recent purchase of a Hynade 140 amp flux core welder from Amazon and his positive experience with the included flux wire. He lists the five types of wire he has ordered for testing, including Lincoln, Vulcan, Forney, Yes Welder, and Hynade, and mentions that he will share his favorite at the end of the video. The video also includes a brief tutorial on flux core welding for beginners, such as the necessity of a slower travel speed and the importance of electrode negative setup for flux-only welders.

Mike proceeds with the practical testing of the flux core wires by cutting coupons from 11-gauge steel using his bestarc plasma cutter. He discusses the importance of cutting over a DIY water table for a cleaner workshop environment. The testing begins with the Lincoln wire, and Mike notes its glossy appearance and matte color. He highlights the welder's features, such as dual voltage and auto wire speed setting, and shares tips for flux core welding, including the need for a slower travel speed and the correct setup for electrode negativity. The testing continues with the Vulcan wire, noted for its matte gray color, and then moves on to the Forney wire, which is appreciated for its shiny appearance and label on the outside of the spool.

After testing the Forney, Yeswelder, and Hynade wires, Mike discusses the performance of each. He emphasizes the importance of pulling the flux wire to avoid incorporating flux into the weld, which can cause porosity. The video shows the results of the welds before cleaning, with Mike noting the varying amounts of spatter and the quality of the welds. He then describes the process of cleaning the welds with a brush and an angle grinder to assess the final results. Mike finds that the Lincoln wire left the most spatter and was the most expensive, while the Forney, Yeswelder, and Hynade wires performed similarly, with the Forney wire standing out for its smooth operation and crisp welds.

In the final part of the video, Mike ranks the flux core wires from worst to best based on his testing. He finds the Vulcan wire to be the least satisfactory, followed by the Lincoln wire, which was the most expensive and left an inconsistent weld bead with more spatter. Mike then highlights the Forney, Yeswelder, and Hynade wires as being superior, with Forney standing out for its smooth operation and minimal spatter. He also mentions a discount code for Yeswelder and the possibility of a coupon for Hynade, emphasizing the value of these wires and the Hynade 140 amp dual voltage machine, which he praises for its auto-setting feature and consistent performance.

Mike concludes the video by summarizing his findings and reiterating his preferences for the Forney, Yeswelder, and Hynade wires over the Vulcan and Lincoln wires. He encourages viewers to check the links in the description to order the preferred wires and mentions that he will provide any available coupons. Mike also promotes the Hynade 140 amp machine as a valuable tool for flux welding, noting its dual voltage capability and affordability. He ends with a call to action for likes, subscriptions, and comments, thanking viewers for watching and signing off.