Another stupid question-Sorry!

[SUZUKI ROCKS]

I have noticed that mig welding wire comes in two diffrent sizes. 0.6 & 0.8mm

What is the the diffrence? Is it simply a case of using the thicker 0.8 for thicker metal and the 0.6 for thinner stuff Or dose the 0.8 give you a stronger weld regardless of metal thickness

Which size would you recomend for car repairs?

Thanks again fellas

 

[madkayaker]

there is a tread on this but 0.6mm i think is the best for cars

 

[Wozzaaah]

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head, 0.6 for anything up to say 2mm ish then 0.8 for anything up to say 6mm ish. For car stuff, 0.6mm is best as it lowers the current and is less likely to blow holes.

 

[malcolm]

0.6mm is better for anything less than 1.2mm ish. It restricts the current so when some manufacturer states a minimum current of 30 amps they assume you are using the stuff.

It's much more controllable on thin stuff once you have the hang of it. It's OK up to about 3mm if it's already in the welder, but above that it's easier to use 0.8mm.

 

[madkayaker]

WOW i'm begining to learn the art of MIG (used to stick)

 

[la_coterie]

My tuppence worth is that 0.6 is more trouble than it's worth, there's a greater tendancy to birds nest (screw up and wrap its self around the feeder unit) and everything including the liner has to be A1

That should put the cat amogst the pigeons

 

[malcolm]

My tuppence worth is that 0.6 is more trouble than it's worth, there's a greater tendancy to birds nest (screw up and wrap its self around the feeder unit) and everything including the liner has to be A1

That should put the cat amogst the pigeons

If you need set up advice do ask on the forum. If you can't feed 0.6 without trouble your MIG will not be feeding anything else properly either.

You can run soft 0.8mm aluminium wire through a properly set up and serviced MIG and that's way more prone to birds nesting. Please try not to put members off from doing what will help them weld better.

 

[bawjaws]

yep i only use 0.6mm for metal less than 1.5 mm, anything over and 0.8mm is easier

 

[chunkolini]

Suzukirocks,

There is no such thing as a stupid question, especially if it makes people who think they know their onions stop and think.

I used 0.6 for years for everything. Including some massive 'sculptural welds' ie they had to look good and weren't structural. I have done loads of decorative welds on 1.2mm mild steel. Then I was given a roll of 0.8mm wire, and was amazed that is just as usable at these gauges of sheet/ Seemed if anything a bit more consistent for long beads of weld.

A lot of it comes down to the quality of the wire. I have a had a couple of reels of wire that were just ****e, wouldn't weld consistently, sticky and jumpy splattery etc. have still got both of them on a shelf going rusty.

It is the kind of thing when you are learning a skill, the last thing to blame is the materials, drove me bonkers; and it was the wire. try to buy good stuff, if you ask for precision wound it makes a hell of a diference, rather than just being wrapped around the spool randomly it is layered up evenly and makes life a lot easier.

Chunko'.

 

[SUZUKI ROCKS]

Wow, thanks alot guys. More helpfull info than i could have hoped for

Will make sure i ask for precision wound wire. Is there a quality brand name you could recomend or dosent wire have brand names?

Thank alot guys

 

[chunkolini]

There are brand names, and they can make a difference.
But you can tell by looking at the reel of wire. If it is all parrellel lines it is precision wound. Makes of wire? I agitate my cider fried brain cell. Lincoln Electric Supramig is the bees knees I had a couple of rolls of this and I realised that there is a difference. Pricey but good stuff. The other one has a yellow lable and logo. Cant remember it's name. But if you go to a decent welding supplier and tell them what you want they will find you a brand.

Also be wary of the price of wire. I have seen it vary by 300%, so if you think it it is to expensive it probably is. Ditto too cheap. Have a look at fleabay to get an idea of prices.

Chnko'.

 

[SUZUKI ROCKS]

Thanks mate

 

[Robotstar5]

the other one has a yellow lable and logo. Cant remember it's name. But if you go to a decent welding supplier and tell them what you want they will find you a brand.

esab?

 

[Marky]

Id also recommend to get the right diameter tip for the wire you get !! iv made this mistake before . For a split second i was " why is this wire not fitting through this tip ! " lol

 

[SUZUKI ROCKS]

Thanks Marky. I guess the Clarke 160 would come with the right sized tip i need right?

 

[matt1978]

Your 100% right in your thinking that on 'Standard' mig, you have to use thin wires on thin material and thicker wires on thicker material.

Downside to 0.6mm is that because its so thin and soft, it can be a pig to feed if everything in your set up is not perfect, but this is far outweighed by how much easier it is to weld car body sections with that as apposed to 0.8mm or 1.0mm.

 

[Marky]

Thanks Marky. I guess the Clarke 160 would come with the right sized tip i need right?

definatley just if you upgrade the wire remember upgrade the tip :]