Thread: Swapping a MIG to flux cored?

As far as I am aware it is only a matter of changing the drive rollers and polarity of cables. I have removed the tip shroud to improve visibility and replaced it with a nut to protect the thread.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

As far as I am aware it is only a matter of changing the drive rollers and polarity of cables. I have removed the tip shroud to improve visibility and replaced it with a nut to protect the thread.

Dean

I agree however I don't think this machine has an external socket to make the change
You will have to change it internally and if I remember correctly there is a choke coil with very little room to move (I may be wrong its a while since i've seen one)so you will need to make extensions to reach ,
You will probably get away with your existing rollers if you increase the diameter of the liner and contact tips used
All in its not a big job nor is it expensive
I'm in Sydney's east if you would like me to help pm me

Normal use is knurled rollers for flux wire.

You will probably get away with your existing rollers if you increase the diameter of the liner and contact tips used

What is your reasoning here? Increased diameter to get by with V rollers, ie less friction. I would not go this way myself but if it works what the heck.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Normal use is knurled rollers for flux wire.



What is your reasoning here? Increased diameter to get by with V rollers, ie less friction. I would not go this way myself but if it works what the heck.

Dean

Its an old machine and I'm assuming pdw wants to spend as little as possible
If he hasn't got knurled rollers,Which I agree are the correct ones then at least give your self the best chance of a good wire feed
Flux cored wire tends to be a slightly bigger diameter and flexible than solid I have found that using a tip one size bigger causes less jamming
On the liner probably a mistake thinking about the machine I assumed it would be set up for .8-.9 and would be better at .9-1.2
Just cheap suggestions that have worked for me in the past

Polarity change is the most important to address, as this makes a big difference.
Electrode Positive for solid wire - Negative for Flux-Core.

You can still use the wrong polarity, but your results will not be ideal.
Flux core welding tips, why change polarity? - YouTube

Wire feed may be a problem, so keep the cable as straight as possible.

Been away for a bit so just got back to this thread, thanks to those who have responded.

I think I'll have to take a look inside the JIC unit to see where the positive & negative leads go, how hard it's going to be to get at them. My enthusiasm for mucking about is pretty low, I'd rather sell the thing as is and buy a small stick welder frankly. I do like a MIG but I don't do much welding in Sydney any more, so simpler is better and I've a ton of 2.5mm rods in E4111 and E4113. Don't really need anything bigger for the general fab work I do when I'm here.

As for the roller swap, it's set up for 0.9mm solid wire now. My other MIG in Hobart has the spare feed roller for flux cored, can't say I've noticed any difference for the amount of flux cored I've fed through it.

So - time to pop off the side cover & take a look I guess. If it looks annoying I'll likely list it on Gumtree or the for sale forum here.

As for the Italian made 130A job, I haven't used it in nearly 20 years and I never will again, so it has to go.

PDW