Larry for OA welding you will normally use a bare rod with no flux on it. Depending on what you are welding I have even used baling wire. Actually it is good cheap way to practice your technique. And by the way I also wanted to say HI to a neighbor..... I see you are from Tieton.... I live over in the Yakima river canyon. Maybe if you want to practice sometime we could get together. I have several welders, torch, plasma etc. Looking for a small forge.... anyway HI neighbor.