Stupid question here

[Elantramax1]

Hi all. I am new to this forum. And a proud owner of a Power I mig 140E. I am using Flux Core. And was wondering Why, Cant I use low pressure air on the gas port?? To keep the Nozzle clean. And possibly reduce some of the smoke and dust.

I have the Clamp on the Positive. ground to the Torch. Using Hobart .030 FC. And am trying to get a better weld.

Thanks
Elantramax1

[DaveO]

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on the new machine!

Are you thinking of supplying compressed air through the gun during the FCAW welding process?

[Elantramax1]

I was wondering if it(Low PSI Maybe 5) would keep the Nozzle clean. And maybe reduce the dust and smoke from the welding.

[performance]

No, you'd increase it by injecting air into the weld stream and increase oxidation. And likely destabilize the arc with the flow. Get some nozzle dip or spray if it is a problem...or trim the nozzle back if you aren't using it with gas.

[Elantramax1]

Thanks Mark. I was able to find a small brush made by Forney that will be able to clean the inside of the Nozzle. Its made of Nylon I think. Definitely not metal. Could I use low PSI air to blow out the diffuser from time to time? Run it through the gas port. But not actually welding.

Thanks
Elantramax1

[zoama]

Thanks Mark. I was able to find a small brush made by Forney that will be able to clean the inside of the Nozzle. Its made of Nylon I think. Definitely not metal. Could I use low PSI air to blow out the diffuser from time to time? Run it through the gas port. But not actually welding.

Thanks
Elantramax1

You can take the nozzle off for flux core. There are even flux core nozzles for tweco guns that taper down to the contact tip with no opening.

[Elantramax1]

zoama, I Tried a couple of different Nozzles. Hobart, Lincoln. Wont fit. The I Mig 140E uses a Binzel torch with Tweco Series 11 contact tips. The Lincoln/Tweco tips fit. Not the Nozzles. I even tried an Eastwood Spot Weld nozzle. Had to return that as well.

I leave the Nozzle on to protect the Spring and Diffuser.

I am running Hobart .030 F-Core. 2 pound roll on sale for $15. Good thing I snagged one. Price went up.

[zoama]

zoama, I Tried a couple of different Nozzles. Hobart, Lincoln. Wont fit. The I Mig 140E uses a Binzel torch with Tweco Series 11 contact tips. The Lincoln/Tweco tips fit. Not the Nozzles. I even tried an Eastwood Spot Weld nozzle. Had to return that as well.

I leave the Nozzle on to protect the Spring and Diffuser.

I am running Hobart .030 F-Core. 2 pound roll on sale for $15. Good thing I snagged one. Price went up.

Run an .035 tip with that stuff for less hangups. Did you swap polarity to electrode negative for flux core ?

[Elantramax1]

Torch to Neg, Clamp to Pos