Questions on Welding Wire and Welding Sheetmetal

[bulletpruf]

Fellas -

Rookie welder. Have a Miller 211 loaded with some .023 wire from Miller. Need to do some welding on this -



First question - does solid wire deteriorate if it's exposed to air/moisture? It's been sitting on the reel in my welder for several years (I was without my tools for a recent 2 year tour in Korea). I'd rather not use it if it's not going to work as well as new wire.

Next question - recommendation on wire? If I'm buying new wire, I plan to go with a good brand name -- seems like folks are fond of Lincoln wire, that and Esab Easy Grind, or something like that. I don't mind paying more for a quality wire.

Figure I'll run my 211 on 120v and use .023 wire since I'm welding sheet metal. Think my shielding gas mix is 75/25.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[dr_clyde]

I would run Lincoln SuperArc. It is the best all around wire money can buy, IMO. And no, wire doesn't deteriorate per se, but it can rust.

Pull some wire through a paper towel and see if it comes off orange.

 

[rcktsled]

I was going to tell you to avoid the welding wire from Harbor Freight but I don't think they have any stores in Italy...yet.

 

[sqaurelizard]

If its sitting in ure welder that long its very likely to have some form of surface corrosion unless you have it in very dry conditions think id prefer to be starting with a nice fresh roll saves having issues with feed rollers and liners

 

[K13]

If it's been sitting for 2 years you may need to replace the gun liner as well due to the above mentioned corrosion.

 

[lazer50]

For what you are doing get some lincoln l-56 super arc .023. Ive welded alot of years all sorts of applications and that particular wire is the best design imo. I use in several sizes.

 

[pepi]

My 2 cents, the liner is fine, forget that suggestion. If in doubt regarding the wire surface condition. Pull and cut off a few feet, grab some sheet and burn some metal. That will tell you all you need to know.

Never seen filler corrode, steel or alum, arc welding rods are a different story, cause the coating on the rods exterior will hold moisture ..

unused miller 211 for two years..... not nice

 

[dnschmidt]

Harris made a very unique wire called 20 gauge specifically for MIG welding sheet metal. It was not solid wire. It had powdered metal on the inside sort of like non-MIG shielded wire but you used it with Argon/CO2 mix just like solid wire. It worked fantastic on autobody applications.

 

[Laucker]

Storage in the open, if in a somewhat controlled environment should be fine. As for a brand I would roll with Lincoln

 

[why worry]

Have used old wire on many an occasion with out issue. When I have had an issue I usually pull off the first couple of wraps on the spool and it resolves it.
Dave

 

[bulletpruf]

I would run Lincoln SuperArc. It is the best all around wire money can buy, IMO. And no, wire doesn't deteriorate per se, but it can rust.

Pull some wire through a paper towel and see if it comes off orange.

Ok, thanks.

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

For what you are doing get some lincoln l-56 super arc .023. Ive welded alot of years all sorts of applications and that particular wire is the best design imo. I use in several sizes.

Ok, so that's L-56, but I'm seeing it in .025 not .023. .025 is what you use, right?

Thanks

 

[bulletpruf]

My 2 cents, the liner is fine, forget that suggestion. If in doubt regarding the wire surface condition. Pull and cut off a few feet, grab some sheet and burn some metal. That will tell you all you need to know.

Never seen filler corrode, steel or alum, arc welding rods are a different story, cause the coating on the rods exterior will hold moisture ..

unused miller 211 for two years..... not nice

Thanks for the input.

Scott

 

[bulletpruf]

Harris made a very unique wire called 20 gauge specifically for MIG welding sheet metal. It was not solid wire. It had powdered metal on the inside sort of like non-MIG shielded wire but you used it with Argon/CO2 mix just like solid wire. It worked fantastic on autobody applications.

I'll check this out. Thanks

 

[bulletpruf]

Storage in the open, if in a somewhat controlled environment should be fine. As for a brand I would roll with Lincoln

Appreciate the input.

 

[bulletpruf]

Have used old wire on many an occasion with out issue. When I have had an issue I usually pull off the first couple of wraps on the spool and it resolves it.
Dave

Good point. I'll do that.

Thanks