Best Flux Core Welder For The Money – Top Picks & Reviews 2020

Whether you are a Hobbyist amateur or a professional who needs a versatile welding solution, a Flux core welder is the best way to start your Welding journey. It’s the best way of cutting your welding cost as it doesn’t require any external gas supply to shield the molten filler metal. Only an hour with a Flux core welder is enough to give you a proper grasp on perfect welding expertise.

Choosing the best flux core welder for the money can be daunting as there are tons of features and options to consider. Before you lock your target on a random welder, read through it to the end to decide which one will serve you the best. From an expert point of view, we’ll help you decide the features you must not skip in a Flux core welder.

Advantages of flux core welding:

A flux core welding system comes with tons of advantages, especially if you are planning for outdoor welding. Here are the main advantages of a flux core welder that you can relate to.

• Weld outdoor:

When you use a MIG welder, it will require you to have an external supply of Gas to shield the welding while it’s cooling off. While using gas to shield the welding outside, the airflow may manipulate the gas shield and weaken the joint. However, when you are using Flux core welding, it comes with the included tubular wire with a flux compound inside. This compound makes the shield itself, and the air cannot manipulate that shield. So, the Flux core welding system allows you to weld outside, especially if you are a professional who works on the go.

• Cut the extra cost and hassle:

When you need an external cylinder of Gas, it comes with extra cost to purchase and refill it once finished, which is mandatory with MIG welding. This comes with some extra hassle as well; you cannot carry it anywhere without a trailer. If you use a Flux core welder, you can easily carry it around like a side bag and get to work anytime without the extra cost of purchasing the Gas.

• Manufacturing and Industrial usability:

The flux core welding system creates a great penetration over thicker joints, which is important for industrial usage. If you are planning to purchase a welding system for manufacturing steel products with a great finish and strong joint, you can give it a shot. The deposit rate of the filler metal with flux core is way more than any other welding system. A MIG welder deposits up to 8 pounds of filler on the joints; a flux welder does it with 25 pounds, which is great for heavy work.

• Use in all positions:

You cannot use any type of welder to weld in any position from any given angle. With a flux core welder, you can weld from any angle, vertically or overhead. All you need is a little expertise to know your angle and a proper ventilator.

However, using a Flux core welding system will produce a lot of smoke and fumes, you need to use a ventilator for that. You need to clean the left-behind slags after welding with the flux core welders, which is not necessary with MIG welders.

Note: If you are interested to know the difference between flux core and mig welding, you can check out our other topic on flux core welding vs. mig welding.

Top 5 Best Flux Core Welders Machines Reviews

When it comes to choosing a good flux core welder both for beginners and professionals, there are tons of options that are enough to confuse you. However, after in-depth research, we’ve come up with the best 5 portable flux core welder that will grab your attention for sure.

Sungoldpower Mig Welder 140A Gas and Gasless Welding

For the perfectionists who love to get everything done with a single mighty machine, this welder from Sungold is the one for them. It comes with a dual-use option; you can use it for both the MIG welding and Flux core welding method. Depending on the type of work, you can use it with both Gas and gasless.

For wire feeding, this welder’s usable with both Flux core electrode for self-shielded welding and solid filler wire for Gas shielded (MIG) welding. It comes with the versatility for both the spool size and wire size. You can use a wire spool of 2-pound or 10-pound. The wire size is also swappable from 0.023″ to 0.039″ depending on the load of your work.

This multipurpose welder comes with a dual voltage option for Current flow with IGBT Inverter, which you can use with both 110 Volts or 220 Volts. You can adjust the voltage input using the adjustable knob in front alongside the other knob to adjust the wire feeding speed. with all those features and testing its performance, you can consider this as the best flux core welder machine.

Sungoldpower Mig Welder Key Features:

• This welding machine can work for both MIG and Flux core welding, which makes it super convenient.

• Its spool sizes can be swapped to either 2 pounds or 10 pounds for a bigger or smaller volume of work.

• The wire feed can pull filler wire or Flux core electrode from 0.023″ to 0.039″ for various application ranges.

• It has both 120V or 220V current input capability; it’s compatible with any electric adapter.

• It comes with controller knobs for current adjustability and welding or wire feeding speed.

Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i MIG Welder

If you are a beginner to flux core welding, The Forney Easy Weld is the one to start with. It’s packed with the specific target of making flux core welding easier with a great bead profile. This welder will allow you to weld up to 1/4 inches mild steel with great penetration with its 140 amp output and 120 volts of input to match with any household adapter.

This welder is set to electrode negative for best flux core welding and neat metal bead with fewer splatters. You won’t have to worry about refilling the wire spool too often as this machine can take in both 2 pounds and 10 pounds rolls. For the wire, you will work with 0.30 diameter of the flux core wire, which is perfect for mild steel.

It’s fairly lightweight, with only 19 pounds, you have a whole welding setup on your hand and ready to go anywhere and start welding. Now for welding convenience, It comes with an 8′ ground clamp and an 8′ MIG gun for extra reach with extra welding time with a bigger wire roll.

Forney Easy Weld Key Features:

• You can operate it with 140 amps of output and 120 volts of input for domestic use.

• This welder uses 0.30″ diameter flux core wires to weld on the metal bead.

• It can weld from 24 gauge up to 1/4″ of mild metal from any angle.

• It comes with an 8′ Mig Gun and an 8′ ground clamp along with a torch wrapper.
• This machine has a metal housing, yet the weight is only 19 pounds for easy movement.

Sungoldpower Mig 150A Welder Flux Core Wire Welding Machine 

The Sungoldpower MIG 150A is designed specifically for gasless operations and maximum clean welding for mild steel. It can weld carbon steel, iron, and other metals with Flux-cored wire with the diameter from 0.030″ up to 0.035″ (0.8mm-0.9mm) with Adjustable wire feeding speed.

It will allow you to work with a wide range of working ground as it has 10 levels of wire feeding speed control. No matter how sophisticated the task is, you have full control over the operation with both the controllable feed and one button safety controller. The power range is 80 to 150 amps and 110V/60V on a single phase.

This Flux Core welder makes self-shielded welding a piece of cake for absolute beginners with its convenient safety guard. It has a special thermal protection feature that keeps the welder safe while welding. With 4 levels of adjustable heat settings, this welder becomes the safest machine for amateurs and DIYers yet best value for the money.

Sungoldpower Mig 150A Key Features:

• This sungoldpower welder works with a gasless flux core electrode and doesn’t go for MIG welding with Gas.

• The flux core wire diameter for this welde is from 0.8mm up to 0.9mm (0.030” – 0.035”) for regular use.

• It works with the current input of 110/60 Volts for a single-phase electric adapter.

• This machine comes with a welding torch of 74.8″ and an Earth clamp of 59″ for better outdoor welding.

• The maximum reel load is 1kg and works with 2 lbs welding wire spool for mid-level welding for beginners.

Vivohome Portable Flux Core Wire No Gas MIG 130 Welder Machine

The Vivohome MIG 130 Welder is packed with all the accessibility controllers that make a welding machine operable for great metal bead and clean weld. It runs at 110 Volts for input, and the output frequency is 50 to 60 Hz at 50 to 120 amps so that you can operate it with your home adapter.

This machine is designed for any kind of in-house or outside home repair, home projects, or field farm work. It’s dedicated to flux core gasless welding and doesn’t need Gas to operate and does the job with a flux core electrode that has a diameter of 0.8mm or 0.9mm, which is great for regular metal works.

Considering the safety mechanism and design of this machine, it makes flux core welding easier for beginners and DIYers. It comes with an overheat protection indicator to warn you if overheated. To keep you on a safe track, it works with 2 lbs of wire spool, and both the wire-speed and current flow are controllable.

Vivohome Key Features:

• This Vivohome welder draws a current of 110 volts and welds with 50-60 Hz at 50 to 120 amps.

• It uses both 0.8mm and 0.9m flux core wires for welding and doesn’t do gas-operated MIG welding.

• This welder runs with a single 2 lbs wire spool, and the welding speed is controllable with 10 levels.

• It has an overheat protection indicator and an air vent to protect the machine from overheating.

• The machine itself is made with a stainless steel case and protected by heat resistant paint coating.

Super Deal MIG 130 AC Flux Core Wire Automatic Feed Welder Welding Machine 

Considering the price point and the features of this welder, it’s the best cheap flux core welder in this list that we put together to review. It offers great adjustability when it comes to wire feeding speed and wire sizes. You can tune up the wire feeding speed with 10 levels, and you can use flux-cored wires from 0.030″ to 0.035″.

This gasless welder allows you to adjust the current flow for better control on the welding metal for a better bead profile. It’s included metal tips that also help you to reduce the slag amount for a better weld. There are 2 controller switches in this welder that allow you to control the current flow for the heat range.

It draws 110 volts of current from the wall break and welds with 50 to 120 Amps that produce enough penetration to stick together 0.023″ to 0.035″ steel. However, If you go beyond the heating level, this welder offers an overheating indicator to keep you on track and increases the longevity of the machine.

Super Deal MIG 130 Key Features:

• This welder uses 110 Volts at 60 Hz in Single Phase and welds at 50-120 Amps.

• The usable Flux core wire range for this welder is from 0.030″ to 0.035″.

• Its control panel interface works for current and wire-speed with 4 physical switches along with auto wire feed.

• It comes with a 2.5 Meter welding torch and a 5-foot round with double metal tips for versatile wire usability.

• You can weld metals from 0.023″ to 0.035″ and use up to 0.55 lbs of welding wire spool.

How To Choose a Flux Core Welder Machine?

Before buying a Flux core welder, there are tons of features and amenities you should consider. Let’s talk about the things you should look for in a flux core welder before choosing one.

• Multipurpose usage:

The multipurpose use of a welder is important if you work on different types of metal. You cannot weld all kinds of metal with flux core welders; you may need MIG welding as well. If you are a professional, look if you can use the machine both with Gas for MIG welding and without Gas for Flux core welding.

• Budget range:

Getting a better machine requires a better budget, a double purpose (MIG and flux) welder will be pricier than a single purpose one. If you are a beginner and don’t need MIG welding with the gas operation, go for a flux-core welder.

• Current consumption:

Current consumption is a big consideration because it produces the necessary heat and Arc to weld. A 110 V machine is powerful enough to get most of the work done with great quality. However, if you need more power from the machine and have the budget, go for a 220 V one for industry quality weld.

• Wire consideration:

Flux core wires come with self-shielding flux inside to protect the molten weld from the nitrogen and oxygen around, so you don’t need Gas for protection. MIG welders come with filler metals that need external Gas for protection from oxidation.

• Metal thickness:

When we work on different kinds of metal, the thickness of the metal is important as the welder penetrates it to join together. The flux core welder is more compatible when it comes to welding thin to thick metals, while a MIG welder doesn’t do a great job with thin metals.

How To Use a Flux Core Welder & Safety Tips?

If you want to master the art of welding with flux core wire, you have to know all the crucial parts of this welding method. From the preparation of welding to the ending, along with a perfect start, you must follow these essential steps.

• Prepare the welder:

Prepare the welder with the recommended settings, make sure you have set the polarity negative for flux core and set the wire feed speed the same as the current heat.

• Prepare the metal:

Before starting to weld, clean the base metals if there is any dust, rust, or stain and make sure you are welding a clean piece of metal for the best weld.

• Take it steady:

While welding, make sure you are running the gun in a single motion, direction, and weave. Don’t juggle around or go too fast or slow, and it will make your weld worse.

• Safety gears:

In metal works, your Safety comes first, wear welding helmet, gloves, glasses, flame-resistant jacket and boots, long pants. Have proper ventilation for flux-core welding as it produces a lot of smoke and fumes.

If you need more information and procedure of how to weld and get more safety tips, make sure you visit the in-depth article on how to use flux core welders machine and operate with maximum Safety.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flux core wire in a MIG welder?

Yes, you can use a flux core wire in a MIG welder unless the manufacturer built it only for Gas-shielded operation and prohibits you from using flux core wires.

Do you push or pull flux core welding?

With the flux core welding method, you always remember a line: “If you get slag, you drag.” Unlike stick or TIG welding, flux core produces slag, and you should always pull the gun instead of pushing it.

Can you weld sheet metal with flux core?

Yes, you can weld thin sheet metal with flux core wire using the right welding machine that has housing for a wide range of wire feeding and more control over speed and heat, such as the SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder 140A

Can you weld exhaust with a flux core?

The flux core welding method is a perfect choice for welding exhaust and such sophisticated metal as it’s ideal for ornamental usage.

Final Recommendation:

We’ve put together the best flux core welders in the reviews. Now, if you want to know our recommendation, I’d like to put it in two perspectives. If you are a professional and need a high-end welder that can support you no matter how complex the task is, SUNGOLDPOWER MIG Welder 140A will impress you surely. It can do both MIG for gas welding and Flux core without gas operation.

However, if you don’t need Gas operated MIG welding and your budget is tight, you can go with the  SUNGOLDPOWER MIG 150A. Thus, you can use it indoor or outdoor for any kind of field firming work, DIY project.