messing around with the welder today, a mate popped around and recommends that the bigger the wire the bigger n better the weld any truth in it. my welds are fine just thought i'd ask the question as there's got to be better welders out there than myself
Welding wire
- Thread starter channi
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jamesmartin
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.6 or .8 is right for most , the bigger the wire requires bigger current to melt it not necessarily a good idea on thin metal
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.8 is my favourite gauge for general work , you can do body panels or crank up to 250amps and burn in some heavy plate
Your pal is half right if your talking about heavy steel and want to blast in the heat and filler on spray mode
Your pal is half right if your talking about heavy steel and want to blast in the heat and filler on spray mode
had another play about today with some plate just under 4 mm, welds looked good also beat it with a lump hammer to make sure it all held together result was a bent plate n still stuck together.
whats meant by spray mode ??
Dan_Trials
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Most manufacturers will have on their website suggested settings for the thickness of material you are welding using a particular gauge of wire. You can use this to compare different wire gauge and the settings for the same thickness of material to see what you (theoretically) can and can't weld with each gauge.
As you say though, if you are happy and confident with your welding then why worry.
As you say though, if you are happy and confident with your welding then why worry.
b3nc123
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Got my welder set up on .8mm at the minute but i did a lot of the back end with .6mm. Makes a lot of difference when i was welding the 3mm box section. Only got a little hobbyist welder but pretty confident in the welds, just got to get the settings right. Started plugging it into the Oven socket now as i was told you get more power?
Dan_Trials
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Yeah the power going in does make a difference. In some areas you can see the difference in the evenings when people are at home with TVs and cookers on etc
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We keep 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0mm with appropriate nozzles, but like others we find 0.8 to be a pretty good 'all-round' wire to have on the reel.
Peter
Peter
Skudman
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I've only ever used .8 and I do panel repairs to roll cages never had a problem yet
another forum
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I use .6 wire.done boot floor,box section cills and other repairs on my disco.no probs.
200tdi ayre
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We use 1mm although our welder is up to 425 amp 
Thinner stuff is harder but not impossible to do with 1mm
Thinner stuff is harder but not impossible to do with 1mm
trax99
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yep, as others have said, for panel work and thin gauge I find .6mm easier and less prone to blowing holes, but for chassis or major structural members you need the extra power going in from the thicker wire.
I have used .8mm on everything up to the 8mm winch tray, but tbh that could have been neater with thicker wire but welding really is all in the prep, clean metal, good weld return and a power supply that dont drop out when you spark up.
I have used .8mm on everything up to the 8mm winch tray, but tbh that could have been neater with thicker wire but welding really is all in the prep, clean metal, good weld return and a power supply that dont drop out when you spark up.
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