[oldred]

You could probably get a lot of disagreement on that one. I think it will be fairly well agreed on that MIG is better and probably few people would prefer the gas-less flux core but this is mostly due to weld appearance. There is certainly an advantage to using flux core outdoors or in any drafty area but IMO MIG is better when it can be used. Just looking at the spec sheet the flux core seems to be comparable to gas shielded wire and indeed some welders will say it is just as strong but in my experience I have not found this to be the case and I would discourage the use of it for any critical weld. That said it can be used successfully for most work but as with anything it depends a lot on the quality of the weld. Of course there are different types of wire in both MIG and flux core so it really is not as simple as "which is best MIG or flux core" but for the smaller hobby type machines it does kind of come down to that and IMO I would say to use MIG as the first choice and gas-less flux core as a last resort. We have been talking about the gas-less flux core wires up until now but there are some really good gas shielded flux core wires out there that will hold their own against just about any kind of welding. These "duel shield" wires have been around for quite a long time in industrial welding but until recently only in sizes too large for a home type machine but this is changing. One particularly good wire, Hobart Excell Arc 71, is available in .035 and for a 220 volt machine this stuff is simply fantastic and can be used about any where one would use solid wire but it welds even easier and makes a beautiful weld bead. This type of wire uses C/25 or straight CO2 gas and leaves a light slag over the weld bead that will easily brush off or will fall off on it's own. I have found the Excell Arc to be a great wire for poor fit-ups with a gap or holes to be filled and it will easily weld really slick in any position, even overhead.

[russlaferrera]

There are several responses to this question. It depends on where you live as state laws differ as store policies differ.
In my area the best price and service was the welding supply. They sold me a a used 20 cf tank. (it was cheaper then a new tank) Later my needs dictated the need for a larger tank (a small fee, a 40 cf tank) Because I always buy from them, it is a drop and pick system I never worry about tank testing dates. I have the freedom of different gas mixes. I do not have to wait for "MY" tank to be filled.

Northern Tool Tractor Supply are in my area. Their policy here states there is a $12 fee per tank that was not purchased from them Their price was $35 higher than the welding supply I deal with

Shop around!...russ

[acourtjester]

Hi
Only one has pointed out the fact that you can use CO-2 for mig I used it for years, It is ture that tne argon/CO2 mix is better. but some of us have to to start out with less money. A cheap supply for a CO2 bottle is a soft drink CO2 bottle I have bought them from the junk yard for $5. they are bid enough to last a year or more. People sell them for the aluminum not the bottle. I have traded them out at the local welding supplier full for about $15. no questions asked. Just like every body else you aare just paying for the gas at that point..
Have fun
Tom

[AndieKustom]

i prefer flux core simply becuase i dont have to worry about running out of gas, the tensile on the stuff i bought th other day is rigth around 21k or somthing to that effect, i think gasless will weld just as well as the operators skills, ive gotten full penetration through a body panel withotu blowing a hole in it and only paid 7 bucks for the welding wire(walmart speical)

but alas im just a kid and my version of "a good weld" is different from some of you guy who have done it for a while

my .02 cents anyhow

[mitmaks]

Local welding outfit Norton will get me a big bottle 60 or 80 (not sure) all filled up for $150, and other place has about same price also. Ive checked on ebay and it seems like it'll cost you same if you buy it on ebay and have it shipped and then filled up at your local welding supply store