Tried flux core wire without gas for a big tank patch, got slag pockets I didn't expect

Last month I patched a 500 gallon diesel tank that had rusted through near a baffle. I figured flux core would be fine, no need to drag a bottle around. Turns out the draft from the tank opening kept pulling my shielding away and I ended up with slag trapped in the root pass. Had to grind it all out and redo it with stick. Lesson learned, flux core needs still air way more than I thought. Has anyone else fought wind or drafts with gasless wire on big vessels?

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lily_singh222d ago

That draft sneaking in through the opening really does mess with the shielding, even a little breeze can do it on a big tank like that. I've had the same fight with gasless wire on a trailer repair near a fan once, and it taught me to just switch over sooner instead of grinding twice. At least you caught it before it caused bigger problems down the road.