FLux

[The Buddah]

Hello,

What is flux and what does it do?
There is no mention of flux when checking out welder to buy.
Im going to buy a welder some welding wire, glassas, argon/co2 mix.
Is there anything ealse i might need to learn welding?

Thanks.

Mike.

 

[rtbcomp]

Flux excludes air from the weld and absorbs impurities. In MIG and TIG processes the shielding gas does this job so flux is not required.

Fluxed wire is available if you want to use a MIG welder without gas.

Arc welding uses rods that are coated in flux.

You mention glasses above, make sure you get a proper mask, the goggles you see oxy-acetylene welders using are not suitable for electric welding.

The only other thing you'll need are gloves and some scrap metal to practise on.

 

[shenion]

For gas MIG welding there is no flux.

Flux is used in gasless MIG and arc welding (and oxy/acetylene welding.) The flux covers the metal to protect it from being contaminated from air. It also holds the heat in to allow it to cool slower. When used with electric welding (Arc and MIG) it also gives off a gas to protect the weld area from air.

You would want a mask, not welding glasses as MIG gives off UV that you need to protect your skin from. You will need gauntlet-style gloves also to protect your hands.

 

[john224]

Hello,

What is flux and what does it do?
There is no mention of flux when checking out welder to buy.
Im going to buy a welder some welding wire, glassas, argon/co2 mix.
Is there anything ealse i might need to learn welding?

Thanks.

Mike.

Dont forget a MASK as well??

 

[chunkolini]

Work a short list of welders before buying and run them by the guys here, there are some good starter wders and some bad one.
See if you can find a short night class it will save you a lot of hassle.

Chunko',