PSA: That 'quick forge weld' with a new flux brand went real wrong

Tried a new powdered flux from the hardware store to join some mild steel, and it actually ate into the metal like acid. The weld looked clean at first, but after grinding, I found deep pits. Anyone know a solid, basic flux brand that won't do this?

3 comments

3 Comments

eric_murphy3625d ago

Honestly, that baking soda and sawdust joke might not be too far off for some of these off-brand powders. Ngl, I've had the best luck just sticking with the basic borax-based stuff from welding supply shops, not the hardware store. It's a few bucks more but at least you know it's not gonna turn your project into a pitted mess.

joseph4483mo ago

Powdered fluxes can be so hit or miss, right? My buddy had a similar thing happen with some old stock he found, left the steel looking like Swiss cheese. Makes you wonder what's even in that stuff sometimes.

noah9173mo ago

Remember that time we tried to weld an old lawnmower deck with some mystery flux from a garage sale? Ended up with more holes than metal and a smell like burnt chemicals. We joked it was probably half baking soda and sawdust. Never bought unmarked cans again after that mess.