Stainless Steel Welding Wire Flux Core For Your Home Welder?

You’ve damaged stainless steel needing a weld repair.

And your local guy quoted you big bucks to TIG weld it.

But you think. Hey I have a welder …

Your local welder supply store is happy to sell you some Tri Mix gas to weld it. But it’s some huge cylinder. And you’ll never use all that.

And the price they quoted you for the cylinder was way more than you planned on spending.

But you’re wondering …. Do I have to use a tank of gas?

Can you weld stainless steel with flux core wire?

Is there stainless steel welding wire you can use without a separate tank of shielding gas?

Yes!

If you get yourself some gasless stainless flux core wire.

You think ok that’s great. But.

Can you flux core weld stainless steel when you’ve a home MIG welder?

Yes if it’ll give you the output Amps you need.

Let me explain.

The Usual Stainless Steel Welding Advice

Most advice and books you read will tell you that if you want to weld stainless steel. You’ll have to MIG or TIG weld it.

And they say you’re going to need some solid stainless steel wire and shielding gas. You’ll find Tri Mix gas recommended (90% Helium, 7.5% Argon, 2.5% Carbon Dioxide).

And for the most part that’s true,

But, there’s another option: Stainless steel flux core welding wire.

Available Stainless Steel Welding Wire That’s Flux Core

You’ll find stainless steel welding wire on Ebay.

Welding wire that claims to be gasless stainless steel flux core wire. But you’ll struggle to find feedback on it.

And what feedback is there is … isn’t great.

Some users complain that when the wire arrived it was stainless steel wire all right but not flux cored.

So the wire may not be what you think it is. Or as advertised.

And after doing extensive search on and off Amazon and Ebay.

I can tell you this. That you’ll find that Blue Demon is the choice flux cored stainless steel welding wire. When you don’t want to use separate shielding gas.

Blue Demon sells gasless stainless steel flux cored wire for several types of stainless steel. You’ll find it readily available on Amazon and Ebay.

And user feedback is positive.

Got time for a walk through your options?

And later on in this article.

You’ll get the inside track on welding stainless steel with flux core welding wire.

*Disclosure: This document contains affiliate links. And at no extra cost to you this site earns a commission through these links should you decide to buy.

Blue Demon Stainless Steel Welding Wire Flux Core Wire Choices

1. Blue Demon 308LFC Gasless Stainless Steel Flux Cored

Blue Demon 308LFC Gasless Stainless Steel Flux Cored

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Reasons To Buy:

You’ll find it’s good stainless steel wire with solid user feedback.

You can use it to weld or repair without a separate tank of compressed gas all 300 series stainless steel up to 308.

And you can also weld those 430 stainless steel parts.

Reasons Not To Buy:

The 308LFC welding wire isn’t an all positions wire.

It’s rated F and H – for flat and horizontal welding positions.

When you’re welding up a stainless steel exhaust overhead this wire isn’t for you. You’ll get a poor weld and yourself covered in spatter.

Other Need To Knows:

When you compare it to a similar roll of non flux core stainless steel welding wire.

The 308LFC Blue Demon 1 lb. spool comes in around ten dollars more expensive. Pretty great. Considering you won’t have the cost of a tank of gas when you weld with it.

You’ll find it’s available in 0.035 inch diameter. A size that many home 120 volt MIG welders use. It’s also in 0.045 inch diameter size.

You’ll need at least 130 Amp to 150 Amp welding output from your welder to weld well with this filler wire.

2. Blue Demon 309LFC Flux Cored Stainless Steel Welding Wire Gasless

Blue Demon 309LFC Flux Cored Stainless Steel Welding Wire Gasless

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Reasons To Buy:

You’ll find there’s good user feedback on this wire too.

The Blue Demon 309L Flux Core wire will weld 300 series stainless steels up to series 309. Without you needing a cylinder of compressed gas.

You can also weld 309 stainless steel to 309 stainless steel with this wire.

It’s a really useful filler wire to have. Because it’ll weld 300 series stainless steels up to 309. And what’s even better it’ll weld stainless steels to other mild steels.

So when you’re looking to join stainless steel to mild steel this is the wire to use.

Reasons Not To Buy:

The 309LFC flux cored stainless steel welding wire isn’t an all positions wire.

It’s rated for F and H – flat and horizontal welding positions.

You’ll need to get that repair part out from where it is so that you can weld on the flat.

Other Need To Knows:

You’ll find it comes in 0.035 inch and 0.045 inch diameter sizes.

You’ll need at least 130 Amp to 150 Amp welding output from your welder. When you’re welding with this stainless steel flux cored wire.

3. Blue Demon 316FC-O Flux Core Stainless Steel Welding Wire, Gasless

Blue Demon 316FC-O Flux Core Stainless Steel Welding Wire, Gasless

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Reasons To Buy:

Another wire with great feedback.

You use this Blue Demon 316FC-O to gasless weld 316 stainless steel. Type 316 is food grade stainless steel.

Reasons Not To Buy:

The 316FC-O welding wire isn’t an all position wire.

It’s rated for F and H – Flat and Horizontal welding positions.

Other Need To Knows:

Available in 0.035 inch and 0.045 inch diameter size.

Again, you’ll need at least 130 and to 150 Amp welding output from your welder. For you to stand a chance of a good weld with this wire.

Along with your Blue Demon 308L, or 309L and 316L. Consider getting yourself a tub of Hobart Anti Spatter Nozzle Gel.

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Why?

To keep your welding nozzle clean, just in case you get some BB’s.

Or some Anti Spatter spray for around the joint to help you with any spatter clean up.

If you’re not sure what nozzle gel is. Or what anti spatter spray is. And want to know more – you should check out this article on the site.

Reasons To Buy Gasless Flux Core Stainless Steel Wire

You’ll find there are some great reasons to use gasless flux core stainless steel welding wire. They are;

1. When you need to weld stainless steel outside.

Outdoors the wind can blow away your shielding gas.

You know that Tri Mix gas you spent a fortune on?

The wind can blow your gas away leaving you with a bad weld.

MIG welding where you use solid wire and shielding gas. Is typically an inside welding process for just this reason.

Or you’ll need a wind shield setup of some description to MIG weld out in the open.

2. There’s the cost of a gas set up.

That means, your gas hose. The gas cylinder itself. And a suitable regulator for your Tri Mix gas.

And a MIG welder capable of giving you the welding output you need.

3. What if you’re only welding stainless steel sometimes.

Or on a single small project.

Do you really want to go to the extra costs of solid MIG wire and gas?

4. Sourcing Tri Mix in small cylinder sizes is tricky.

Can you get small cylinder sizes of Tri Mix gas in your area?

5. Do you have the space to store a Tri Mix cylinder?

And do you have the means to transport it?

Most people don’t realize that flux core welding stainless steel without gas is even a thing.

Is Stainless Steel Flux Core Wire Expensive?

You may think buying Blue Demon stainless steel gasless flux core wire expensive. When you compare it to the cost of solid stainless steel filler wire.

But stainless steel solid wire needs shielding gas to weld it with. And Tri Mix is often the shielding gas of choice.

And when you factor in the cost of a tank of Tri Mix gas. On top of your solid stainless steel MIG wire. The cost of self shielded gasless wire doesn’t seem so bad.

Tri Mix gas is expensive. Can you justify the cost for your project?

Plus you might not be able to source the gas in your area.

Or you can’t store or transport home a large cylinder.

Note you buy the Tri Mix tank pre mixed. Don’t try and mix the gasses yourself.

Is The Blue Demon Gasless Stainless Steel For Home Shop Use?

Yes!

0.035 inch diameter. Or if you can find it 0.030 inch is the wire size to use for a home welder running on 120 volts.

You’ll find the Blue Demon gasless stainless steel in 1 lb. and 2 lb. spools. Perfect for your home garage use.

Though your practice sessions. And finding the right settings on your welder may quickly run you through a 1 lb. spool before you’ve got to the actual job in hand.

There are other types of stainless steel flux core wire.

Ones that DO need shielding gas.

You call this way of welding double shielding and you’ll find some info on those later in this article.

Difference Between Stainless Steel Solid Wire And Welding Stainless Steel Flux Core

It’s worth taking a few seconds to understand Stainless steel solid MIG wire. And Stainless steel flux core wire are not the same.

Solid stainless steel welding wire is, well, solid.

Sounds obvious I know. But it’s an important point. There’s just pure stainless steel in it. Plus some stuff to make it easy to weld with.

And to weld with stainless steel MIG wire you’ll need to use shielding gas. That gas is typically Tri Mix. You’ll use it protect your weld from contamination from the surrounding air.

Contamination that would lead to a poor weld and that’s why you need it.

But what if you don’t want to use gas?

Two Types Of Stainless Steel Flux Core Wire

The other type of flux core wire for stainless steel is self shielded stainless steel flux core. Also referred to as gasless stainless steel flux cord wire.

It’s what this article is all about.

You need no separate tank of shielding gas. So it’s very convenient for occasional use. Or you as a hobbyist welder to use.

Flux core stainless steel welding wire has stainless steel around the outside.

And special chemicals called flux through the middle. This flux melts as you weld forming a gas to shield your weld.

MIG Welding Stainless Steel With Flux Core Wire

You’ll find there is another type of stainless steel flux core wire. It’s called gas shielded flux core wire (FCAW-G). You’ll also hear it called double shielded and sometimes dual shielded.

Why?

Because it has two shields. The flux inside and you use a cylinder of shielding gas.

And you can use other shielding gasses with this wire. Like Carbon Dioxide and high Argon Oxygen gas mixes.

You’ll need a true MIG set up to use double shielded wires.

And that means a MIG welder that feeds separate shielding gas. Plus you’ll need a gas tank and regulator.

The gas shielded stainless steel flux core wires produce great welds.

You can find out more about that wire in this article here.

This section is just a brief overview of flux core wire.

Is your curiosity tweaked?

You’ll find a document ‘What is Flux Core Wire’ here. And it’s all about flux core wire.

What Kind Of Stainless Steel Do You Have?

The first step in deciding what you use to weld your piece with is to work out what kind of stainless steel you’ve got.

You call the steel you’re welding the base metal.

300 series stainless steel is the most widely manufactured and used.

For example, there’s type 304 also known as 18/8. There’s type 308, and 309.

Type 316 is generally used in the Food and Drink industry, as these steels don’t taint the taste of the food. And 315 stainless steel is easily cleaned and sterilized for holding food and drink.

If your stainless steel is magnetic then it may be type 409. Type 409 you’ll typically find used in car exhausts.

You find Type 430 in washing machine interiors, refrigerators, dishwashers. etc. These forms of thinner steels (Like Type 430) are more difficult to weld as welding can crack their structure.

This change in structure can result in something called weld decay. Weld decay causes the weld to rust and fail over time. The last thing you want with stainless steel.

And even though your steel looks clean before you weld. It’s a good idea to check for and clean off any oil or grease. And prepare the surface with a grinder using a stainless steel compatible disc.

Choosing Your Flux Core Welding Stainless Steel Wire

You should know what kind of steel you are dealing with. Because then you can find the right welding wire to use as filler material.

Lincoln Electric has a good reference page on this.

Match type 308L with type 308 base metal.

The L after the stainless steel flux core type number stands for low carbon. Low carbon stainless steel flux core filler metal helps stop weld decay. So look for the L on your stainless flux core welding wire.

Type 308 wire will also weld most 300 series stainless steel up to type 308.

Type 309 flux core welding wire for stainless steel. Will weld 300 series stainless steels up to and including type 309. It’s also great for welding type 300 series stainless steels to mild steel.

Type 316L stainless steel will weld 316 stainless steel. Type 316 stainless steel is a special steel.

It’s classed as food grade and you’ll find it used in the food and drink industry. It takes skill to weld type 316 well and welding these types of steels is usually done by a professional.

Because a weld that leaves tiny gaps. Or dips or holes where microbes can live and multiply.

Is disastrous in a container storing food or on a surface where you prepare food. Type 316 stainless steel needs care when you weld.

Do check the welding parameters chart of your stainless steel flux core welding wire. To check the stainless steels the manufacturer says their welding wire will weld.

Stainless Steel Flux Core Welding Inside Push

Important Things For You To Think Of When Buying Flux Core Wire For Stainless Steel

One thing to pay attention to is the size of wire diameter you buy. No point buying 0.045 inch diameter wire when your flux core welder will only feed 0.035 inch or smaller.

It’s also true that there’s no point you buying a 25 pound spool. Because that’s the smallest spool size the wire comes in.

When the largest spool your welder can take is 10 pound.

Because you can’t feed it. And if you can’t use it up then you’ll need to store it well.

Or risk it going bad.

And don’t even try to transfer to a smaller spool. Because these spools are precision wound and you’ll end up with a rat’s nest of wire.

Stainless flux core welding wire is more delicate than stainless steel solid wire. It doesn’t need a spool gun to feed it. But handle it rough and you’ll break the wire.

Plus, you need your home flux core welder to generate enough heat output. And that means a true 90 Amp plus, preferably 130 Amp or more.

You’ll also need your flux core or MIG welder sent to DCEP polarity. More on that later.

Welding SS Flux Core On A Cheap Flux Core Only Welder

When your welder is a cheaper flux core only welder. The question you’ll ask yourself is: Can I weld stainless steel with a gasless MIG welder?

Some of the cheapest gasless welders have MIG in their title but they don’t feed shielding gas. They often also claim to weld stainless steel but that’s unlikely.

Setting The Right Polarity Is Key

First check.

Can your machine can reverse its polarity?

Because many cheap low amp flux core welders will weld with mild steel flux core welding wire.

That wire runs on DCEN polarity – Direct Current MIG Gun Negative.

Stainless steel flux core welding wire Must Be run with DCEP polarity. – Direct Current MIG gun Positive.

You welding flux core wire stainless steel on a DCEN only machine will simply not work.

Some of the negative feed back on welding stainless with flux core wire. Are from folks who have tried to do this.

Have You A Home Welder That’s Up To The Job?

Assuming you’ve your flux core or MIG welder at home plugged into an exclusive 20 Amp or 30 Amp circuit.

Have nothing else plugged into the circuit when you’ve your welder running.

That way you get the max Amps available.

You’ll need a welder that can produce a true 90 Amps.

Really, you’ll want at least the 130 Amp most stainless steel flux core welding wire specs asks for.

Your machine needs to produce enough Amps to melt your wire. Plus your stainless steel base metal. Welding stainless steel with flux core wire needs a decent amount of heat output.

And if your welder can’t produce this you’ll get a poor weld.

YouTube Video Showing Blue Demon Flux Core Stainless Steel Wire

Here’s an excellent YouTube video on welding stainless with flux core.

You’ll enjoy it.

If you’ve not welded stainless steel flux core before It’ll set you up nicely.

What He Saw While Welding Stainless Steel Flux Core Wire

In the below nine and a half minute video. Bob Moffat, welding instructor while welding stainless steel with flux core wire noted;

A ball or bubble effect on the end of the flux core stainless steel wire. And that’s totally different to welding with mild steel flux core wire.

This bubble effect was due to the electrical traits of stainless steel flux core wire. And is electrically different to mild steel flux core wire.

He saw no excessive spatter.

What He Heard While Welding SSteel Flux Core Wire

The weld sounded strange. No usual sizzle you’d expect to hear welding mild steel. Welding stainless steel flux core sounds different.

Welding stainless steel flux core sounds different.

He welded 10 gauge stainless steel in a fillet weld

And

1/4 inch stainless steel bent to allow a view of how the wire does on a corner fillet weld, inside and out.

Stainless Steel Flux Core 1/4 inch Outside Corner Weld

He ran the wire hot and went a bit faster.

Your welder has to be capable of DCEP reverse polarity.

You need 3/4 to 1 inch stick out – as recommended by the wire welding parameter chart.

He tried pushing into the corner. And then pulling into the corner. He wanted to see if the different ways caused more spatter or affected the weld look.

Stainless Steel Flux Core 1/4 Inch Inside Corner Weld

You’ll agree the weld looks impressive.

The Advantages Of SS Flux Core Wire

The flux core wire stainless steel welded well.

There was no need for separate shielding gas. So the Blue Demon wire would be great for when you’ve a small job to do. And for a weld out in the open.

Have a look at the video here.

Stainless Steel FCAW without Gas