I have a gas/no-gas mig welder, and while I don't like gasless for anything critical, I was wondering whether it would be ok for tacking things together? Once it's all in one piece, I'd go get some gas to do a proper job on the full welds.

Will no-gas tacks affect the quality of the final welding?

Dont be saying things like this.
I have just welded up my new engine cradle with a gas-less welder.

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Originally posted by roadrunner
Dont be saying things like this.
I have just welded up my new engine cradle with a gas-less welder.

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No reason they would interfere. A wire brush will remove the gasless flux residue easily enough, and the welds should be neat underneath. distortion is the main issue on thinner stuff, and the fact most gasless welders are at the DIY end of the market.

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Originally posted by cliftyhanger
No reason they would interfere. A wire brush will remove the gasless flux residue easily enough, and the welds should be neat underneath. distortion is the main issue on thinner stuff, and the fact most gasless welders are at the DIY end of the market.

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Just about any welder can distort panelwork. Gas welding blows cold gas over the weld so probably helps a tiny bit. Just take the welding a bit at a time, not one long continuous weld.

That sounds fine, many thanks.

Thats exactly what I did years ago when I first built a locost chassis. Got a new gasless welder and it came with a small roll of gasless wire so I used that to tac most of it up, did do a couple of longer welds where tubes were going to be in the way. Then got a reel of normal mig wire and welded the chassis.

If your worries about strength etc, then think, you will be going over most of the tacs anyway when you weld up properly.