It does not get old.
I buy the best price.

Dave

 

All flux cored wires are susceptible to moisture entrapment; some more than others. There are some that are actually seamless vs seamed. So there are differences in quality, and as you can imagine, the seamless wires aren't affected as much. So yes, flux cored wires definitely may get old. This is sometimes seen more easily in gas-shielded flux core where one ends up getting worm-tracks along the top surface; gas-less flux cored wires don't tend to exhibit this per say, but the slag coverage changes IMO, and there might be a bit of porosity if the wire is really bad.

 

All in a nut shell.......

 

Thanks guys.
I had no idea that there is a difference in quality. I thought that all wire was basically the same and I had no idea that there is seamed and seamed-less wire. It makes total sense what you guy are saying. If you buy the cheap 10lbs spool from Home Depot you are probably getting the seamed wire and you don't know how long that has been sitting on the shelf. The latest new spool that I bought was from a welding shop which is probably better quality stuff (seamless) and newer. (more turnover)

Love this forum, it has made me a better welder

Thanks

 

Good luck.

The difference is if you are working to codes and specifications you use new wire or rod for job.
Ag and most other types of just use what you have in the welding machine

Dave

 

As an amateur trying to weld better, I tried a half dozen brands including that Lincoln. Some made so much smoke I couldn't see anything, some wouldn't roll off the spool smoothly to make an even bead. Some needed changed settings (that a pro would know how to handle). I felt there really was a difference among brands.

I settled on Italian INE ('INE USA Since 1950') FC wire as the best quality I could find. They are a quality operation.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JDDCXW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title.
That -gs suffix means the manufacturer works to their own specs and INE seems to have gotten it right.

In contrast, t-11 suffix should be a uniform spec across brands with Lincoln the best known (and more expensive).
My last purchase was generic t-11 at about 1/3 cheaper than INE, half compared to Lincoln, and it seems to work fine.
https://www.amazon.com/PGN-E71T-11-Gasless-Steel-Welding/dp/B088X4Y4C3/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2TI2T38WCHN7O

FWIW - As a beginner fighting the wire quality as another unknown variable - using INE resolved that variable for me.

 

Try to keep your mask out of the smoke, and clean off the soot you do get (makes a huge difference).
A light breeze (fan, or positioning. too much air can cause atmospheric contamination) can help by blowing the smoke out of your line of vision.



I generally only buy t-11, only gs in emergencies.
From what's currently available I like lincoln (can't go wrong) and home depot usually has the best prices in non bulk when you buy 2 rolls of 10lb nr-211.
Same goes for Lincoln solid wire usually.

Lincoln nr211, e71t-11, 10lbs currently priced at Home Depot (2022):

0.030" - $92.00 for 1, Buy 2 or more $78.20
0.035" - $86.00 for 1, Buy 2 or more $73.10

 

I use best price on Amazon E71T-11.
The wire I like best is E71T-1 but need to have CO2 on hand.

Dave

 

I have a Lincoln SP175 Plus mig welder and have been running the

that is actually a good little welder, w/ a nice gun, for what it is. last mini mig worth a darn in my opinion. i run .045 nr211 in mine, does ok as long as u dont push it too long, and let it catch its breath in b/t.
at the time, for a hundred bucks, lincoln sold a kit, came w/ a knurled wheel for .045, a 10lb spool of nr211 .045, and a .045 liner

 

The best self shielded flux core I've ran was harris e71t-11. I got a bunch of rolls on the cheap from the LWS about 5 years ago.

I haven't tried it in years so i'm not sure if it's still as good. It was made in USA and ran like butter - like a great stick electrode.

Weldingsupply.com prices for E71T11 .030 x 10# SPOOL, JW Harris E71T11E5b (2022):

$71.20 10LB

https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?PNUM:products:1::OR:E71T11E5



Good Price, tempted to buy some but I'm all stocked up and I don't often use self shielded flux core.

 

For general stuff just grab Lincoln NR 211. But really what ever is cheapest!

 

Try $42.00 for 10 pounds
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088X5X6HB/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_MY8GJS4GMJAP30E7XNQ0_1

Dave

 

Try $42.00 for 10 pounds
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088X5X6HB/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_MY8GJS4GMJAP30E7XNQ0_1

Dave

Yep that PGN E71T-11 (2 lb roll $16, shipped) is what I have in my new Amico dual-voltage flux welder. It welds great. I don't see a reason to pay more for anything else.

 

While fighting my welding machine issues, I switched to Lincoln NR211. At first, I thought it was running better.........................but after a bit, I realized that it was still a wire that I never liked. So, yes, there are differences.

Esab FCAW-S is great stuff. Blue Demon FCAW-S is also nice running stuff(better for "hotter" welds).

Given that most wires are not made by the manufacturer on the label these days...............even your favorite wire can change in a heartbeat when the vendor changes. 'Name Brand" doesn't mean what it used to..........sad to say.

Same holds true for SMAW. I've completely abandoned Lincoln consumables in favor of Atom Arc. It's not that one is mechanically better, as welded, it's a matter of preference as to how it runs. Until you become fairly proficient...........how a rod runs, generally makes relatively little difference. It's more of a nuance kinda thing.

 

CEP preferred Hobart Fabshield 21B E71-T11 or NR211.

 

Most of the cheap flux cored wire that comes with the cheap machines is actually E71-TGS.Single pass rated. The E71T-11 is certainly a step up and multi-pass rated. Both are crap but seem to have their place in the market. I keep a little on the shelf for some reason.

 

That is about the only wire for 0.0.030 and 0.035 size in no gas.
There other wire like E71T-8 but size the problem.

Dave