Finally figured out my welder issue. Somehwere I’ve got a gas leak between the tank and the tip. I got fed up with it so I ditched the gas mix and swapped wire to flux core, boom immediately getting good welds. MAN IS THIS SHIT MESSY THO.
question. I’ve got UCA double shear/gussets sitting in the garage from dirt king. They’re gonna take some modifying to work on the 4runner, but structurally speaking the flux core is just as strong as mig right? I know it’s frowned upon by the “professionals”
I’m considering doing the gussets myself or leaving it with 454motorsports
The biggest issue is removing the flux well enough between passes on inside corners. It can be a real bitch.
Flux core is just as strong as Mig when done properly. The biggest benefit to Mig is not having to clear slag. But you should still run a wire wheel over the welds between passes to remove contaminants.
And FYI, structural welding with Mig is usually dual core, which is a flux core wire WITH shielding gas. But even that has not totally replaced stick welding in many areas of the industry.
As far as the gas leak goes, make sure the o ring where the fun goes into the machine is intact. And check the diffuser at the end of the liner. Make sure no holes are plugged. Worse case scenario replace the gun entirely. HTP has some sweet flexible neck Mig guns that aren't too expensive and they can come in very handy for out of position work.