Wire meling characteristics were examined with variation of gas formers such as $MgCO_3, CaCO_3 and Li_ 2CO_ 3$ by self-shielded flux cored arc welding. The flux cored wire of overlap type was welded by DCRP. The results obtainedareas follows. 1) Drop type was observed with no gas former, repelled type with MgCO_3$ added and short circuit type with $Li_2CO_3$ added. The variation of transfer mode was related to the blowing force of $CO_2$ gas and the surface tension of the slag. 2) Droplet size increased with adding gas formers due to the effect of $CO_2$ gas cushion. 3) Core spikes were observed more frequently with increasing the amount of gas formers.