Lincoln mig welder question.

Anyone know if you can use the Lincoln Mig successfully with just the flux core wire and no gas?

Thanks !

Yes but it will work better with knurled rollers and a cut down gas nozzle or flux core tip

I spent three years thinking I was a terrible welder because I was using flux core. When I got a bottle of gas and a regulator I realized that I'm solidly below average, which is a huge improvement. 

Flux core is very sensitive to the angle and the stick out length. You want to drag 10 to 15 degrees that means your electrode is pointing toward where you've already welded. Depending on the size of wire and the power setting you are using you need to stick it out 3/8 to 3/4 of an inch. I highly recommend reading the Lincoln Electric f c a w welding guide available on Lincoln's website. I make my students read it in class

Crapola photo use the backhand or drag angle. This prevents slag from contaminating the weld.

But it's OK to use just the flux core wire alone on a Lincoln mig welder without using the gas to get a weld (decent or otherwise) right?

In reply to pilotbraden :

I'll use the flux core tips to match with the wire size for sure, the knurled rollers to help deliver the wire down the cable to the handle is a great idea ! Jamming wire seems to be a common problem with me. Any idea where I might order up a pair of those rollers?

Thanks for the ideas !

Flux core wire requires negative polarity and MIG requires positive.  You will need to swap the big leads inside the machine. They will be easily accessible since this is common 

I would suggest a welding shop that sells Lincoln equipment. There are online shops as well but I think that when you are starting out face to face works better.

As Trent points out polarity is critical. All electrodes should have settings listed on the packaging or enclosed. If not look it up.

notsafeforwork said:

But it's OK to use just the flux core wire alone on a Lincoln mig welder without using the gas to get a weld (decent or otherwise) right?

Yes.  Flux core is made to be used without the gas.  No problems on that part.

Which lincoln mig?  I'm running flux on mine right now. Get a pic on the setup in the morning.