Cleaning flux from hard to get areas

Been lurking for a few weeks. You guys sure are a huge wealth of information. Got one question I havn't seen an answer for yet in my travels.

I've got some flux drifting into a hard to clean area (nice 90 degree corner under a lip right next to the weld area). I can't use GMAW. I need to clean that flux out of there, but I cant reach it with any combination of grinder, wire wheel, or wire brush. Is there something I can spray on, or soak it in, or something that'll remove it?

--Chris

[rustywrangler]

The only thing for tight corners I can think of is a good pointed slag hammer.

[enlpck]

"Flux drifting in"... Do you mean fume deposits? Or weld slag? Two different animals.

For fume deposits, even Q-tips will get it out. Wipe right off dry, and a spraydown with water and a little detergent will get the rest. Compressed air to dry.

If it is slag, say because the weld is going into the corner, then you can try a chisel (a V or a cape point) if you can get a good angle; sharpen the peck end on a slag hammer to a slight chisel point and drag/scrape it into the corner; sand or glassbead blast (a pencil blast gun is a great tool for this... just be sure to meet the requirements for dust collection and breathing air filtering, or you will rapidly find yourself choking to death-- literally); If there is a straight shot, a small carbide burr (or stone point) on a long shank in the die grinder works.

Yeah, fume deposits. White powdery looking stuff. I didn't realize it brushed off so easy. Time to go poking around at the hardware store for odd shaped cleaning things I guess...

[Hammack_Welding]

I have a small siphon style sandblaster that I keep. If I run into Flux in a tight spot it will usually clean it right out. Just watch your eyes and lungs with the sand. Fume deposits will usually just wipe off.~Jackson

[TozziWelding]

A needle gun works wonders. I have one on the truck and it will take damn near anything off.

[WelderBoy]

My trick that I use at work. SCREWDRIVER. Simple, cheap, very effective. I carry an assortment in my welding bag. I sharpen them or modify them with the grinder to make them work how I need them. Like a dentist with all my "picks".

[gtrman]

Use a jitterbug...Also known as a fingered paint chipper.

[drivethruboy54]

i sat use a needle scaler, those things are awesome

[MAC702]

A large tub of water bombarded with ultrasonic waves...

[tresi]

One more use for an ice pick.

[turbo38t]

Originally Posted by tresi

One more use for an ice pick.

Just use an air hammer......it's the best de-slagger in the world....

[MAC702]

Specifically a needle gun!

[ElvisW]

My question would be...if you were able to weld the area how is it that you cannot get at it to remove flux?

[usmcgremlin]

ElvisW
Solderer Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: western new york
Posts: 2


Re: Cleaning flux from hard to get areas

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My question would be...if you were able to weld the area how is it that you cannot get at it to remove flux?



come weld with me for a day

[TEK]

come weld with me for a day [/QUOTE]

Misguided Child, read his intro. Methinks he's seen more than you, perhaps.

[usmcgremlin]

Elvis or tagm ? Tek me confused i have seemed to have left my brain at home.

[TEK]

Originally Posted by usmcgremlin

Elvis or tagm ? Tek me confused i have seemed to have left my brain at home.

I was meaning Elvis as his bio lists 27 yrs or so exp. in the field and you had just quoted him.