How to Wire Weld With No Gas

Metal inert gas (MIG) welding in a pinch without welding gas requires the use of a special welding wire referred to as flux core. Flux core wire contains a semi-solid flux surrounded by the welding electrode. The inner flux melts while you are welding. The molten flux flows to the outside of the weld puddle, protecting the molten bead from the effects of atmospheric exposure. When unprotected molten metal contacts atmospheric gases, the gases pull into the weld puddle and create porosity. Porosity reduces the strength of the weld.

• 1

  Open the wire compartment of a MIG welder. Slide a spool of flux core wire onto the spool holder located in the wire compartment with the loose end of the wire facing the front of the MIG welder.

• 2

  Feed the loose end of flux core wire through the feeder rolls located at the front edge of the welder wire compartment. Pull the tension knob up to lock the top feeder roll in position. Close the wire compartment door.

• 3

  Turn on the MIG welder. Press the trigger of the MIG gun to feed the wire through the MIG lead. Release the MIG gun trigger when the flux core wire protrudes from the front of the MIG gun.

• 4

  Set the voltage and wire speed per the welding chart affixed to the MIG welder.

• 5

  Put on a welding hood.

• 6

  Place a scrap piece of metal on a stable surface. Connect the ground cable to the piece of scrap metal by sliding the end of the ground cable clamp on one side of the scrap metal.

• 7

  Hold the tip of the flux core wire 1/8 inch away from the surface of the scrap metal. Lower your welding hood.

• 8

  Depress the MIG gun trigger to start the weld arc. Push the molten wire along the scrap metal using a 1/4 inch circle pattern to weld with the flux core wire.