Ed, you will get comfortable with MIG (shielding gas) very quickly. It is soooo much easier to get good beads with. Flux core welding has it's place, but it is not the best process to start off learning with IMHO.
Once you have put down several good beads using the 75/25, go back and try the same welds using the flux core. I think you might change your opinion of which one is the bigger hassle.
But if you ever need to do any outside welding in a breeze, that MIG weld can look even worse than the ugliest flux core bead you have ever made. Some day when you are in a hurry to make a weld and forget to turn on your gas bottle, and it WILL happen....
..... you'll see what it is like when your shielding gas gets taken away in a gentle breeze.
While you are practicing, get in the habit of snipping off the end of your wire before you start your next bead. Getting rid of the little dingle berry on the end of the wire and getting the proper "stick out" will make your life easier in the long run when starting a new arc.
Once you have put down several good beads using the 75/25, go back and try the same welds using the flux core. I think you might change your opinion of which one is the bigger hassle.
But if you ever need to do any outside welding in a breeze, that MIG weld can look even worse than the ugliest flux core bead you have ever made. Some day when you are in a hurry to make a weld and forget to turn on your gas bottle, and it WILL happen....
..... you'll see what it is like when your shielding gas gets taken away in a gentle breeze.
While you are practicing, get in the habit of snipping off the end of your wire before you start your next bead. Getting rid of the little dingle berry on the end of the wire and getting the proper "stick out" will make your life easier in the long run when starting a new arc.
Willie