All I've ever welded with is a big ass lincoln welder using sticks. I just got my ready welder in the mail the other day :flipoff2: and it is setup to use shielding gas if you want. THe shielding gas is so that you don't have to use flux core wire, right? So what is the big reason for not using flux core wire? I would guess that you don't get the splattering and therefore a cleaner looking weld. I guess I quit trying to make things pretty a long time ago.

the sheilding gas i prefere is a 75/25 mix that is most common[gives good penetration with a clean nice looking weld]. some like flux core but i am not one of them unless you have to do welding in the wind. the flux core generally give better penetration but needs to be chipped and cleaned between passes. the sheilding gas just leaves a nicer looking weld with very little cleanup. mike

Gunracer1 is exactly right. One thing I like though is using 100% CO2. I have found it has the best penitration on mild steel and this is what the local welding supply houses recommend

75/25.....no question

Using sheilding gas is sooo nice. You can take multiple passes without having to chip everything off. and you can get nto tight places without worrying about making slag pockets. I think it makes welding much easier and faster

on my Ready welder i just use FLux core, works great, plus i don't want to carry a bottle on trips, just something else to get in my way

For trail repairs, flux-core works great. You could always use a CO2 tank to provide your shield gas.

When I first got my miller all I had was flux-core. It worked great, but if you are trying to weld sheet metal or something thin it gets a little too much penetration (read blowing holes). I haven't tried using just CO2, but from looking at the welds that people have done with it, they dont look as nice as the 75/25 mix. If you want the cleanest looking welds then use the 75/25 mix and it will make a shitty welder (me) look pretty decent. Can't imagine how nice they would look with an accomplished welder at the controls.

You're forgetting the biggest advantage of sheilding gas vs flux core. You get rid of a lot of the smoke and stink that flux core causes. I use 75/25 as well.

if cost is a concern 100% CO2 costs about 4 times less than a bottle of 75/25 ... at least in my area.

- jack

4 times less? Wow..

Considering it costs me 22.50 for my .125 bottle for 75/20 mix, that would be almost free..

I asked the guy at the welding shop, he said its a matter of preference but the 75/20 will give good clean welds.

Dual Shield is neat. FC wire with CO2 = PENETRATION