Cray?

[Slab]

https://youtu.be/0iJmX3S2rVc?si=M-CfVB_SWV8lDKnv




Reminds me of someone.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

Man I thought that was Cray! Cool build…..

[DockShootinJack]

Nice looking truck for sure. Maybe one day I build a rat rod tow truck

[SuperDave336]

Sweeeeet!!!

[Slab]

A rat rod is in my plans some day. Got too many projects as of now. Gotta get these outa way. Also gotta get better at welding. Took a welding class in my yoot, but only this year getting started doing some practicing with flux core. Dang that stuff is messy.

[6poundtest]

Slab, do yourself a favor and get a machine with a gas solenoid. Flux core can be very particular about it's voltage/amperage curve, wire feed speed and stickout length and travel speed. I use it when I have to in the field but in the shop there are better choices.
A solid wire with a gas shielding will make a welder out of just about anyone. Less spatter and easier to dial in. Of course, one should always clean the weld area well of contaminants like rust and paint, that goes without saying. Flux core has a tendency for porosity and poor quality welds, in my opinion. Solid wire in the smaller sizes like .025 and .030 is usually more economical than a flux core of the same size. Yes, you have the cost of a shielding gas but to me, it's well worth it for better performance and less cleanup of the weld area after.

[Slab]

Slab, do yourself a favor and get a machine with a gas solenoid. Flux core can be very particular about it's voltage/amperage curve, wire feed speed and stickout length and travel speed. I use it when I have to in the field but in the shop there are better choices.
A solid wire with a gas shielding will make a welder out of just about anyone. Less spatter and easier to dial in. Of course, one should always clean the weld area well of contaminants like rust and paint, that goes without saying. Flux core has a tendency for porosity and poor quality welds, in my opinion. Solid wire in the smaller sizes like .025 and .030 is usually more economical than a flux core of the same size. Yes, you have the cost of a shielding gas but to me, it's well worth it for better performance and less cleanup of the weld area after.

Are there different gasses, if so, which? thanks

[6poundtest]

A 75/25 mix of CO2 and argon is your basic shielding gas for general mild steel hard wire MIG welding. I would stay away from straight CO2. There are other tri-mixes that may show a bit of an improvement in some applications but the 75/25 will handle probably 95% of the general flat and out of position welding for most folks. I don't know if you have the Airgas welding chain there but they call their tri-mix Stargon. Less spatter and a bit hotter puddle and cleaner running should you ever get in to spray arc welding. But spray arc is usually for thicker stuff, in the 3/8" to 1/2" and up.
If you plan to weld things like aluminum or stainless then you certainly need shielding gas like straight argon but that welding process is not what the majority of folks are doing in the home garage. Unlike Rojo, who seems to be a wizard with the aluminum but that's mostly TIG welding, I believe. He runs a magnificent bead from what I've seen.

[Slab]

Thank you 6lb. Once I get to building my own rat rod is likely when I'll start on the gas. Great info. In the mean time, at least I'm practicing.