Trochu wrote:
How is gas cheaper then flux welding? I'm running a Lincoln welder using flux-core and I'm paying around $15 for a 2 lb spool (I've seen cheaper but I do have my standards). My machine did not come with a regulator so I priced one out at Home Depot and it was near $350.00, purchasing a bottle is what, another $200.00?, for a total of $550.00. So, if a 2 lb spool of regular wire cost (I'm guessing here, I've never bought any) $10.00, a difference of $5.00 vs flux-core, I'd have to weld 220 lbs of wire to make up the cost difference. I'm just a hobby welder and will never get close to this amount, I tacked my entire with a 2 lb spool! This doesn't include the cost of refilling the bottle either. So, were do the savings come in? I realize there is a savings in time as there is reduced clean up, but I've heard at least a 1/2 dozen people say flux-core is more expensive.
Any thoughts?
I was quoted bottle prices from $180 to $250 for an 80 cubic foot 75AR/25CO2 and refill prices of $20 to $40. I'd say flux is cheaper up front. My welder and many MIGs do come with a gas regulator, but lots of 115V and Harbor freight types don't come with them.