Welding question

[Bondoman]

Just started working with my new welder. Now keep in mind I know nothing about wire welding. A question about fluxed and non fluxed wire.

The copper looking wire is non fluxed right? and the silver is innershield?

I decided to play around with the welder when it came in. Came with copper looking .035 wire. Started welding up small screw holes in the floorboard with it. Worked great, then I ran out of wire. Went to local welding shop and got .035 innershield. Got home tried it, this wire is silver. Now i know nothing about wire welding. Called a friend who does, he said swap the polarity because i changed wire. Turns out i welded a whole role of non-fluxed wire.

Will welding non-fluxed without the gas harm the welder. It worked ok for me alot better than the fluxed i got?

Thanks for any help

[ebfabman]

Won't hurt the welder, but you should try a cylinder of CO2/argon mix with the non flux (solid) wire.

[67Fleetsidedream]

yeah get some C02/Argon mix. It will make a big difference. Welding solid wire with out the gas will make really ugly welds and cause a lot of spatter.

Ben

[Ed ke6bnl]

For the smaller sheet metal stuff you will find that the copper colored non intershield with gas will be cleaner and eiaser to weld with, there is more penetration with the intershield and works better for thicker material. I use Straight C02 for gas far cheaper and I believe a little better penetration, not quite as clean, the bottle is liquid and last forever. I do not think you did and damage what soever just did not get the welds you will get with the proper set up.. Ed ke6bnl@juno.com So. Calif.