Using a gas free mig welder

[Andrew S]

I have a mig welder but am also interested in getting a cheap gas free mig welder but being that it uses flux loaded wire, I am concerned about the fumes it may give off when using in close proximity. Has anyone used one and are they as bad breathing near arc welding rods?

Any adverse health issues or are they the same as using a normal gas mig welder?

Cheers
Andrew

[stagmuffin]

much of a muchness really Andrew , always wear breathing protection there are no healthy emissions from any form of welding .I have been in welding engineering for 40 yrs and never heard anyone who knew anything about welding say anything nice about these modern fluxed wires. they are a poor imitation of a form of submerged arc welding for the masses I would not recommend them to anyone .I appreciate this may be not what you want to hear but its my own view considering my knowledge ,ive heard a few people say they can get lovely welds but I don't believe them ! I can show them lovely and strong full pen buts that could never be achieved with small gasless toys. woops did I go of on one sorry but I am reaffirming my hatred for this kind of tosh .
good luck
steve

[Andrew S]

Hi Steve
I appreciate your opinion and honesty and in the back of my mind, I am thinking the same, hence why I am asking. It was just considering it a quick option and possibly less hassle than my gas bottles and standard mig.
Will take your advice and drop the idea
Cheers
Andrew

[andy p]

ive got one and been using it for last 20 years, never seen or smelt any fumes from it, the weld is not as smooth as using a gas bottle but it does the job

[Ian Durrant]

I like my gasless. It is a bit harder to get a good weld on thin steel without blowing holes but if you stitch weld it's easier see thin metal section in http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/mig-techniques.htm
Although perfect penetration on the whole weld on thin steel is close to impossible we are mostly doing cosmetic stuff on the really thin steel and I generally get 90% to 110% on any run. Welding sills and chassis legs thicker steel, you are using a bit more power and good penetration is then relatively easy.

I am working outside so gasless suits me better as it still works if its a bit windy. I probably should wear a fumes filter but as already said its pretty rare I get even a wiff of fumes behind the welding mask.

[Andrew S]

Cheers Ian. Working in a breezy surroundings was another reason that made me think about it

[GDPR]

After struggling to get any form of pretty weld with gasless I invested in a 9L bottle of Argon/CO2/O2 from Adams gas and a regulator from ebay.

The bottle lasts seemingly forever and you can wind up the flow if it's draughty - would only use gasless now if desperate and it wasn't visible...

[m9fdb]

I just want to get a mig welder and teach myself to weld better

D

[mike@thenook]

I have a mig welder but am also interested in getting a cheap gas free mig welder but being that it uses flux loaded wire, I am concerned about the fumes it may give off when using in close proximity. Has anyone used one and are they as bad breathing near arc welding rods?

Any adverse health issues or are they the same as using a normal gas mig welder?

Cheers
Andrew

I've got one Andrew - used it last weekend to weld the front of the lawnmower back together.
It works really well, never had any problems with gases or similar (not from the welder anyway ) and I 've used it for a variety of jobs including patching parts of the Stag 'chassis' which it coped with admirably.

If you'd like to borrow it let me know - there's still wire left in it.

Cheers

[Andrew S]

Thanks Mike, will remember that. Did you mean borrow the mower with some wire remaining or the welder?

[mike@thenook]

LOL!

You can borrow both if you want but you'll need a trailer for the mower (oh yes, - got one of those too)

[Andrew S]

[stagmuffin]

I just want to get a mig welder and teach myself to weld better

D

if you intend to learn to weld properly Darren you wont do it with gasless welder ,get a gas mig you will then be able to see when you arc up a molten pool and you will gain control over it increase and decrease temperature and change direction knowingly weld overhead vertical up and inclines even make full penetration 100% category A butts and make it do what you want try that with the flux cored hot glue gun !

[Bob Heritage]

After struggling to get any form of pretty weld with gasless I invested in a 9L bottle of Argon/CO2/O2 from Adams gas and a regulator from ebay.

The bottle lasts seemingly forever and you can wind up the flow if it's draughty - would only use gasless now if desperate and it wasn't visible...

That's interesting Russ, I have one of those bottles of argon/co2 and it lasts about 2 hours. I spoke to the supplier and he said that was about right and compared to the 10min disposables. I always thought they should last longer as a mate of mine runs a bodyshop and only buys a BOC bottle once a year.

[Stagsongas]

After struggling to get any form of pretty weld with gasless I invested in a 9L bottle of Argon/CO2/O2 from Adams gas and a regulator from ebay.

The bottle lasts seemingly forever and you can wind up the flow if it's draughty - would only use gasless now if desperate and it wasn't visible...

The Adams alternative to expensive cylinder rental is something I was poised to write about, but you beat me to it!

I'm still getting very good results from a small C02 cylinder which can be filled by a local Fire Extinguisher company (£3 last fill) as long as it is within test, but 5% Argon would be better. Still, anything is better than getting wrapped up in a cylinder rental agreement. For those interested, just put Adams Cylinder Gases or similar into the google slot.

Regards

Steve