Which wire do I need.

[B1N9S]

I noticed last night that my wire is going to run out soon on my Clarke 135TE MIG. I use a 5% Argon mix to weld. But haven't had to buy any wire yet !!!!

I have 0.8mm tips, but not sure which wire I should buy for GAS welding as opposed to no gas ? Are there much differences in quality, any recommendations ?

Cheers

 

[Coo]

Just standard Mild Steel 0.8mm wire.... available from machine mart, screwfix etc...
make sure its not flux cored, so no 'flux' in the title.

 

[eSCHEn]

What size reel are you looking for? I think your machine can do a 5Kg reel - that's much cheaper per Kg than the teeny hobby ones.

Lincoln Electric do Supram(a|i)g / Ultram(a|i)g and AFAIK are the only company making their own and not importing it. TechnicAl is your man for a definitive answer.

£20 for a 5Kg reel of 0.8mm delivered from Rapid: http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=A18085P&zl=3

 

[cumbriasteve]

^^^^^ as eSCHEn said:

Machine Mart and the likes are not well known for good quality wire, it varies a lot because they change wholesale supplier every time they find one that can supply cheaper, they have little interest in supplying quality.

It can have impurities, the spools can be badly wound making feed erratic and it can rust faster.

Stick to a decent brand name, as a rule the difference is noticeable when welding.

 

[gordon stephenson]

I always use Lincoln or EWM wire, Very good quality and for the amount in a 5Kg roll, not sensible to go with a cheaper wire.

 

[pedrobedro]

Go to a welding supplier not a DIY shop for your welding requirements and they will help you with your needs rather than sell you what makes them most profit. Last 5kg reel of 0.8 I bought from my local cost me £12. It is white box wire but it works perfectly.

 

[B1N9S]

Cheers gents. I'll go to a welding supplier as suggested and not buy the 'cheap' stuff !!!

 

[B1N9S]

Don't be afraid to ask for a little discount too. Sometimes smaller users just get quoted list price. It's worth asking even if it's a no. In terms of brands there's plenty out there but look for Lincoln, ESAB, Oerlikon/Air Liquide, EWM, INE, Bohler etc. You will find one you like. Be careful of tool brands as this is usually really cheap wire with the issues Steve mentioned above. In terms of a guide on price even at the £20 above they'd be lifting your leg. That's still £4 a kilo. You will pay a bit more for smaller spools but I wouldn't make a living trying to sell a 15kg spool at £60 put it that way. Somewhere in the £10-12 mark for a single 5kg spool wouldn't be unreasonable.

Cheers, sounds like good advice.