Welding current required

[martinez]

just some advice re welding current. I usually use 0.8 wire, but if I use 1mm wire what sort of current will I need to weld 4mm plate ?
I have a large pro welder with euro torches so wire size not an issue and I always seem to have plenty of power in reserve for jobs, but will moving to 1mm be a whole new ball game ?

 

[shenion]

Moving to 1mm will need a lower voltage and wire speed for the same current. Should be about 170A either way. I find heavier wire is less sensitive to torch/work length.

 

[martinez]

just thinking that it would be cheaper with 1mm as I've got a lot to do using 3 & 4mm plate and cheaper on gas too, am I right ?