mig wire spool size

[scorpadave]

hi
i am looking at a new machine and wondering if it is worth getting one that can accept 15kg spools.
at the moment, i am only looking to do some car panels, sills ect.
how many meters, under normal use, on thin steel would a 5kg spool last as a rough guide?

 

[Turbo]

When I bought my welder I wasn't aware that it could only take a 5kg spool, despite having a large chassis. I could probably modify it to take a 15kg spool but I never really felt the need as I don't go through a spool that quickly. Also it's a lot easier to remove & store a 5kg roll in the house than a 15kg! Unfortunately more often than not I have to strip off a layer of wire because I've left the reel on the welder in damp weather & its gone rusty.

The only drawback of a 5kg spool is the price - it's only a few £££ cheaper than a 15kg so is relatively expensive. But you will do a lot of welding with a 5kg roll, especially on body panels so a 5kg might be ok for you.

You also have to decide what wire dia to use. Some would recommend 0.6mm for thin steel, some use 0.8mm. I have used both & I've found little difference, you just have to change your settings a bit. If I was doing a lot of bodywork & I have some in stock I use 0.6 but it is more expensive than 0.8 so I've stopped buying it!

 

[scorpadave]

thanks,,,i will probably just go with the 5kg machine then and see how it goes.

 

[Turbo]

I would advise you to get one that takes the 15kg spools, they will also take the 5kg spools. Then if you find you are doing a lot of welding you will have the option for the larger spool.

 

[Mee]

+1

 

[angellonewolf]

if your looking at a new mechine i would look in to be able to use the 15kg

but it would help if you can say how much welding you actualy do

 

[daleyd]

What's your budget for the machine - if your not doing that much welding (hobby use) then the wire cost is not going to be a huge factor in the scheme of things. I'd be inclined to look at the features you want and look at wire size as a secondary consideration, unless your planning on doing a lot of welding.

If you find you REALLY need big reels and have a 5 kg machine you can usually make a separate stand that sits out the back and the wire feeds through (as long as you get a machine with a decent wire drive) - but to be honest for "typical" hobby use a 5 kg reel will last ages.

 

[angellonewolf]

ive had my clark since sept last year and had an old roll 5kg with 80 percent of the roll left i must have removed 15 meters getting to clean wire and had plenty of play with it building a welding trolley fixing a few items around the house and been out the back playing with my son quite a few times i must still have just under half left so they do last well

i would say if you use the welder every day for work yes the 15kg would make a differance but a bit of hobby welding a few times a month would last you a year

 

[scorpadave]

thanks for all the reply's....it is just for hobby use at the moment and while the 15kg makes sense, it does mean getting a larger and more expensive machine, and i am not sure would i use it that much to justify it..looks like the 5kg may do me until i see if i end up using it more....nice if we could pay per kg....the 15 is a lot cheaper..

 

[angellonewolf]

if worried about the fact you get 3 times as much buy a 15 kg and wind 1/3 on to a 5kg roll

 

[scorpadave]

Like this... youtube.com/watch?v=P1glRdZy9Dk ....the guy has a really fine tuned machine to do it.
looks like good fun.