Before you get started, go through some of our tips and hints. It covers several common problems and how you can resolve them.
You may even want to look back at them if you experience problems.
1. Check the polarity of the wireIf you start trying to run a bead and notice a lot of popping, and it’s difficult to keep an arc, you should check the polarity.
Flux core and MIG welders operate on either DC electro-positive (DCEP) or DC electro-negative (DCEN).
The setting determines whether the wire has a positive or negative charge. Most flux-core wire requires DCEN, but some stainless flux-core wire, like Blue Demon, actually requires DCEP, just like MIG.2. The tip of the wire will ball up; this is fine
One of the strange occurrences of welding stainless with flux-core is that the wire may have a small ball on the tip.
Having a ball appear on the end of a piece of regular flux core isn’t abnormal, but it may indicate you’re running too slowly.
When running a bead, you’ll even notice the ball bouncing at the end of the wire. 3. Run slightly hotter than the suggested settingsStainless steel has different properties than mild steel. Additionally, the filler material is also different. You may find that the settings chart on your welder is a little off.
That is completely normal, as stainless steel requires a higher amperage setting.
Just turn your amperage up a little bit and run a few test passes on a piece of scrap steel to dial in your welder’s settings4. With slag, you dragThere tends to be a lot of debate between pushing or pulling a weld. These arguments are valid with processes like MIG and TIG, but with flux core, you really need to pull. By dragging your weld, it lessens the chance of flux inclusions. This weld defect occurs when flux pieces get trapped under the slag or in the weld.
The result is porosity in the weld, which looks bad and compromises the structural integrity.
You can push your weld with this process, but you must always keep the wire on the leading edge of the puddle or risk the weld faults previously mentioned.
The push technique requires a higher skill level, which is why it’s always suggested with slag, you drag. 5. Don’t Overheat the MetalStainless steel discolors with a lot of heat. Although you will need to turn up the amperage on your welder for stainless steel, you must be careful not to overheat it.
Some discoloration that creates a rainbow effect is normal. But if you apply too much heat, the stainless steel oxidizes, leaving it susceptible to rust.
Be sure to keep the material under 800 degrees. 6. Clean the Stainless Steel CarefullyMany see stainless as a durable metal, partly thanks to its rust and corrosion resistance. Most stainless steel is also hard to scratch.
However, you need to be very careful when cleaning it.
Flux core leaves slag, which you’ll need to chip off. Because stainless steel typically isn’t painted, you may not be able to use a wire wheel or grinding disc like you would on regular steel.
Need more tips? Check out these flux core welding tips and tricks.
