I only use shielding gas, unless I have to take the welder away from the shop and weld outside. I have only used this welder once off the bottle with flux core (had to repair my outdoor wood boiler). My first welder was a Hobart Handler 135, I used that one flux only for the first 3 years I had it. Once I finally bought a bottle for it, I never used flux core in it again! They weld so much cleaner with gas.
I have 2 tips an old guy told me, buy your solid core wire in 8lb spools, they last much longer, I was always buying the little spools in the beginning and inevitably would run out at inopportune times! I would start with smaller spools until you determine what size wire you go through the most. I primarily do 20ga sheet up to 11ga, so I have found .024 works best for me in bulk. I just keep a 2# spool of .030 and .035 around for heavier stuff. If I were welding 11ga or heavier all the time, I would keep a 8lb spool of .030 in the welder all the time. I also have a 2# spool of flux core just in case. Just make sure you store them were they will stay dry, the wire will rust and become useless.
Second, get the shielding gas in at least 80 cu ft tank. Or at least get the biggest tank you can afford to buy. Mine lasts me a year, for some it may only last a week. I have never thought, I wish I would have gotten the smallest tank.
These are of course my opinions.
