TIL flux core wire makes backyard welding way easier than stick for thin metal

I was fighting with 1/8 inch steel on a trailer repair last weekend, switching between stick rods and getting nothing but burn-through, then grabbed a buddy's flux core setup and ran a clean bead in like 10 minutes flat. Has anyone else found certain jobs just click with one process over the other? I'm thinking of picking up a cheap machine for small auto body stuff.

3 comments

3 Comments

miles_garcia1mo agoProlific Poster

Flux core definitely saves headaches on thin metal, stick just blows through it every time.

young.kim1mo ago

Yeah I remember my first time trying to weld a car fender with a stick welder, turned that thing into swiss cheese in about two seconds flat. Flux core felt like cheating after that, just laid down a clean bead without burning a hole through everything. Makes me wonder why anyone even bothers with stick on anything thinner than 1/4 inch.

uma_taylor471mo agoMost Upvoted

Tbh @young.kim, stick teaches you to move faster not rely on a crutch.