MIG wire for Tigging

[Monrovian]

Ive always used copper coated Mig wire for Tigging and have just read in a Richard Finch Performance Welding Handbook that this shouild never be done as it gives off hazardous fumes.

Is this true? What would be the difference between MIgging & Tigging with it if the fumes are the same?

What with thoriated tungsten and now this i darent start the thing up!!!

 

[Hitch]

I dont know about fumes... but m/s tig wire goes through an extra deoxidising process compared to mig i beleive...

 

[runnach]

I have used mig wire a few times if doing a fine tig job (spec willing) possibly silicon content makes a diff, interesting question, worth looking into!

All weld fume gives off hazardous substances, treat one process the same as any other, all will kill you in time if care is not taken.

 

[Hitch]

I forgot to add, i have done it for stainless many times.

 

[Monrovian]

He also stated that the copper made the weld weaker with its impurities which could ring true for vry high spec stuff like race cars and aircraft.

We used to use copper coated for everthing including Jordan F1 wishbones and Ford WRC uprights - oops.

 

[Hitch]

I've never seen non copper coated MS tig rods...

 

[GeorgeB]

Ive always used copper coated Mig wire for Tigging

Did you find the results OK as far as you can tell?
If so I'll give it a try. Blow the health hazards!

 

[fingers99]

Not sure that all MS MIG wire is the same. But why not give it a go?

It would be interesting to compare gas rod, TIG rod and MIG wire side by side. You'd expect the gas rod to produce very porous welds but it would provide an interesting comparison with MIG wire..........

 

[snowcat]

I've never seen non copper coated MS tig rods...

Nor have I, Again used them for very thin stuff...

 

[Monrovian]

Did you find the results OK as far as you can tell?
If so I'll give it a try. Blow the health hazards!

Yes from a visual perspective as long as the metal was prepared the same, descaled with wire wool or scotchbrite (never a wire wheel as the wire gets imbedded in the metal - again you cant see it) and then cleaned with acetone or brake cleaner including the rods, the results were excellent. I tried the MC rods (metallurgically controlled) which look like stainles rods and are bright steel but the boss was tight and told us to use mig wire. We obviously used the correct wire to suit 4130 steel that we were welding.

There were 6 welders all making wishbones etc and all used mig wire.

 

[Monrovian]

I've never seen non copper coated MS tig rods...

Yes - youre right actually i was always welding 4130 chromoly. So if you cant get uncoated mild steel tig rods i guess i have no choice anyway

 

[Monrovian]

Im starting to think this is American anti law suit stuff !! I read another chapter last night and now hes talking about skin cancer of the neck from the UV!!! How do welders survive past the age of 30?

 

[whycanismellburning]

Im starting to think this is American anti law suit stuff !! I read another chapter last night and now hes talking about skin cancer of the neck from the UV!!! How do welders survive past the age of 30?

Theres a very simple answer to that.... weve all inhaled enough metal from the grinder to have the chemical composition as steel...things like uv cant burn steel.....(i think!!!)

U.V Is great any way i have a 365 day tan... wheres the problem with that?!!!

 

[TechnicAl]

All welding fumes are hazardous. You should use adequate ventilation and PPE at all times.
Some fumes are more toxic than others but if you always assume the worst you cant go wrong.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/guidance/index.htm

 

[Monrovian]

All welding fumes are hazardous. You should use adequate ventilation and PPE at all times.
Some fumes are more toxic than others but if you always assume the worst you cant go wrong.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/guidance/index.htm

ppe?

 

[whycanismellburning]

personal protective equipement!

 

[shenion]

Back to the original questiion.

I fail to see how MIG and TIG wire are any different as they both are made to the same specifications:

Mig wire: ER70S-6
TIG wire: ER70S-6

Same specs for the wire. You can get ER70S-3 wire for MIG that has less deoxidizers, but most here use the -6 version anyway.

 

[TechnicAl]

Obviously if they are both ER70S-6 they are the same but the gas used will probably be different. MIG (or MAG) uses an active gas whilst TIG is Inert. Therefore there will be more fume when MIG welding than TIG welding. Also MIG (MAG) is quicker and higher current so you will generate more fume per hour welding.

Incidentally, here in the UK and in Europe we tend to use something similar to ER70S-2 for tigging and the MIG wire tends to be ER70S-6 but we split the spec in half, the lower end is called SG2 (or G3Si1 to the new standard) and the top half is SG3 (or G4Si1)

 

[Monrovian]

im looking to weld a motorcycle frame soon from cds mild steel tube. Are you saying i have no choice but to use copper coated wire?

If so would the correct wire be er70-6 straight from my mig welder?

any info appreciated.

 

[Monrovian]

Did you find the results OK as far as you can tell?
If so I'll give it a try. Blow the health hazards!

Quick tip for you - if its off the mig real its obviously bending. Its easier to use if you prepare a few longer straight lengths - say14 inch, by clamping one end in the vice and twisting them with lockwire pliers or a mole grip.

Makes them straight as an arrow.