Topic: Not all Flux Core is created equal!

[CTENG in KS]

Been using the spools of HF F-C i bought at the same time I ordered my welder from them.  Switched last night to some Lincoln .030 wire my pops got me for x-mas.  WOW, what a difference!  It burns MUCH hotter and faster.  I probably picked up 1/32 to a 1/16 of penetrating ability just with the wire switch.  It also smells different when it burns...different flux formula maybe?

Anycase, if anybody is using a smaller welder like I am and is using a cheap brand wire...you can get better penetration and better welds if you switch wires, but you don't have to take my word for it.  Head down to Home Depot, grab a small spool of Lincoln wire, and see for yourself.

[derek]

best i have used so far has been forney brand, it kicked ass.
that said i am using a big spool of .035 in my hobart and it works good.

[RustyToy]

were do you get it? Ace had a spool on there shelf that looked old and dusty with no name on it. They sold it to me for 5 bucks and it worked better then anything you can get at home Depo, but the spool is gone now and i don't wanna go back to the crap.

[CTENG in KS [OP]]

So you all are saying there is even better stuff than the Lincoln, huh?

[derek]

a lot of welding supply and hardware stores carry the forney brand.
i bought mine because i ran out and it was all i could find quick, it suprised me, i didnt know my old welder could weld that good.
oohh i got it at true value, but have seen it other places.
http://www.brandnametools1.com/hand_tools/w/Welding_Accessories/_1292578.htm

[Reynolds]

I like Lincoln brand flux wire. I'm using .035 on my little 110v (Home Depot 3200HD, biggest 110v welder you can get!) and it works great with a 10g, 15ft extension cord. The extension cord made a big difference as well as switching to Lincoln wire. I had some cheapo Harbor Freight wire in there before and it wouldn't feed if the gun extension was twisted up, NEVER BUY HARBOR FREIGHT WIRE! Now I can twist it up as much as I want and it will always feed