Mig wire as filler rod?

[Maker]

Dad's found me a couple of spools of mig wire, will it be okay to use it with my tig welder or should I save it till I get a Mig / sell it?

I think I remember reading somewhere that because mig uses an active gas, there are more de-oxidizers and other additives than TIG rod, but I can't remember what effect this had?

I don't know the thickness yet, but I'm assuming it's going to be much harder thinner than I'm used to.

 

[Jim Davey]

I've used mig wire for filler before. Can be a pain to feed though as it doesn't straighten out that easily sometimes.

 

[brightspark]

cut a length off put one end in a vice and the other in a rechageable drill and pull it tight run the drill 3 or 4 turns and the wire becomes strait

 

[TechnicAl]

It should be fine
Is it ER70S-6 or A18 or SG2 or G3Si1 (they are all basically the same)

 

[gordon stephenson]

It also works as brightspark says, but if you want thicker filler wire, just use multiple strands before twisting. Pull hard while twisting and keep going until you have a nice straight length, I usually use three or four strands around ten feet long,

 

[Maker]

It should be fine
Is it ER70S-6 or A18 or SG2 or G3Si1 (they are all basically the same)

I've got ER70S-6 and 316-S-92, both 0.8 mm.

 

[Spark plug]

Just make sure you twist multiple strands tight enough so they dont separate when welding.

 

[Wallace]

Check for rust before use, can be false economy otherwise. Also, always look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[TechnicAl]

I've got ER70S-6 and 316-S-92, both 0.8 mm.

First ones mild steel and the other is stainless (316L and is the same whether its MIG or TIG)

 

[BrokenBiker]

i only ever used to use mig wire for tig filler as i only used a lift arc dc tig function on my arc welder. i used to use er70s6 as i could get it really cheap in work, i just used .8mm, pulled 2M offbent it in half, put on end in drill chuck and other end in vice and spin it tight...instant 1.6mm filler rod

 

[Shedendman]

Ok 1st daft question heres go's,can i use bits of mig wire for gas welding?

 

[Maker]

Ok 1st daft question heres go's,can i use bits of mig wire for gas welding?

No, gas rod has fluxes in.

 

[Wallace]

No, gas rod has fluxes in.

Are you thinking of certain pre-fluxed brazing rods?

 

[Shedendman]

Are you thinking of certain pre-fluxed brazing rods?

I was gonna say,the brazing rods i have are pre-fluxed,but didnt know the gas welding ones were

 

[BrokenBiker]

i thought gas welding rods were similar to tig rods but a slightly different composition? didnt think the welding rods had a flux as the flame provides the shielding

 

[Shedendman]

^^^^^^ ditto

 

[Maker]

Are you thinking of certain pre-fluxed brazing rods?

Yes, I was, oops.

 

[BrokenBiker]

personally i cant see it being an issue, but then again ive never gas welded, only brazed with fluxed rods

 

[Shedendman]

I've never Tigged(yet),but thats good to know that mig wire can be used

 

[BrokenBiker]

I've never Tigged(yet),but thats good to know that mig wire can be used

my only major tig experience is with a parweld xti stick welder with lift arc, i just used to fanny about with steel and the odd bit of alu but it wasnt good for alu on dc. i really want a tig but cant justify the cost for a good one