Machine Builders Network+ Forums Thread Like Summary - flux core welding

Is flux core always nasty looking or am I doing something wrong? Cant tell what the bead looks like cause there aint one visible ,--its covered with the flux beads. As for holding,--well MOOSE couldnt tear it apart and the parts have a high pitch ring to them after welding.
The plow I modified for the cub is holding and its had some rough use this fall in dry hard ground.

I think there will always be stick electrodes(rods) available Sonny, its a weld process that can go anywhere,farm field or battlefield if you must,with ease of use and utility..the small wire feed fluxcore or MIG machines have really taken off in the past 10yrs,it seems everyone has one now with the proliferation of the handyman and car craft TV shows featuring them they are very popular..plus anyone can use one with little to no training..go hand a stinger and a couple rods to the average newbie and watch what happens..biggest thing I can tell ya is to watch the puddle behind the arc(when pushing)-thats the weld metal thats holding it together..and run it hot enough to get good fusion

I bought one of those toy flux core welders from Harbor Freight about 12-13 years ago and after trying for a while to make something look decent, I slipped it back on the shelf. Pulled it out again this year and tried my best to run a decent bead and ended up putting it on marketplace for $50. Some other old guy like me bought it and loves it. Maybe I wasn't meant to use anything other than 6013 or 7014. I have an old Miller Thunderbolt that I converted to AC/DC last year and just leave it on about 125 amps and DC+. The conversion was about 75 bucks with rectifier and including all new plugs and receptacles etc. Bought a new helmet that I can see the puddle with so that helped a lot. I can still weld out of position as long as I can lay the parts horizontally. LOL

HF welder with flux core wire... good enough for what I need.