MIG welding wire

[signcrafter]

I've run out of wire again and it's time to get another spool. Welder is a miller S-64 and my last couple of spools were 10lbs hobart .035 solid from fleet farm. They last me about a year because I don't use it a lot. My wire feeder can hold up to a 60lb spool. Fleet farm has the hobart 10lb spool for about 28 bucks. But want to see if there is a better deal or better wire out there before picking up another hobart 10lb spool. I'm not against getting a bigger spool, not sure what sizes they come in, if it's a better deal. Usually when I run out I am in the middle of something and have to buy locally and that's why I just run to fleet farm and get the biggest roll they have. I also have an airgas account where I get my gas from but never bought any wire from them. From what I've seen they are on the more expensive side usually but to be honest I've never even asked them.

So what's my best option. Since I only buy one spool every year or two and usually need it right away I've never really searched for my best option but this time I can take the time. Thanks

 

[bob15]

I buy Lincoln L-56 .030" solid wire in 12.5 pound spools. Go to your LWS and see what they have to offer. Lincoln has it in 33 pound spools for .030 wire and 44 & 33 pound spools for the .035 wire.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/consumables/Pages/product.aspx?product=Products_Consumable_MIGGMAWWires-SuperArc-SuperArcL-56%28LincolnElectric%29

 

[fourjeepin]

I bought my last spool (10 lb .030) at HD. It is much easier for me to get to HD than a welding supply place due to the extended hours and number of locations.

 

[koditten]

Honestly, just bought a 44 lbs spool 6 hours ago from Air Gas. $95 out the door. .035 was the dia.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Check out Weldfabulous.

http://weldfabulous.com/filler-metals/?sort=featured&page=1

 

[signcrafter]

Honestly, just bought a 44 lbs spool 6 hours ago from Air Gas. $95 out the door. .035 was the dia.

Man I think a 44 lb spool would last me years. Looks like I would save about 32 dollars buying a bigger spool, 2.16 a pound vs the 2.90 a pound I pay with the 10 lb spools.

 

[LumpyMusic]

My LWS has better prices on US made wire than HD or Lowes, even HF China or eBay/Amazon Italian wire.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[RedneckWelder]

Check with your LWS. Surprisingly even the Airgas locations around here tend to be decently competitive on prices (as in not the absolute lowest but tolerable for the "have it now and not paying shipping" factor)

I like Lincoln wire/electrodes.

 

[signcrafter]

I'm having a hard time googling LWS. Is there a link to their website?

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I think LWS=local welding supply, but not sure

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I bought my last roll at a indie farm supply store but normally I get my supplies at a local mom and pop welding and gas supplier, they deliver my tanks so I try and give them business when I can.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'm having a hard time googling LWS. Is there a link to their website?

LWS= local welding supplier i.e a brick and morter place whether it's a chain like airgas or a locally owned place.

 

[signcrafter]

LWS= local welding supplier i.e a brick and morter place whether it's a chain like airgas or a locally owned place.

Well that all makes sense now.

Looks like I will make a trip to airgas on Monday and see what kind of deals they have. That's were I get my gas so I already have an account there. Thanks.

 

[zkling]

What power source are you running? That's a heck of a feeder for a home shop.

I'd go to a 30+lb spool of 0.030". Call local shops in your area, amazing how much it can differ. Where I buy my wire they sell it all by the pound and it is very nicely priced for the small user.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you have one local, you might want to check out OE Meyer. That's where I get my C25 for my Hobart and bought my torch kit.

 

[signcrafter]

What power source are you running? That's a heck of a feeder for a home shop.

I'd go to a 30+lb spool of 0.030". Call local shops in your area, amazing how much it can differ. Where I buy my wire they sell it all by the pound and it is very nicely priced for the small user.

I have a miller xmt304. I bought the power source probably 7 or so years ago when the economy started hurting. Was looking at millermatics until I came across this deal. Then bought the feeder off ebay for about 450 bucks if I remember right. It's way more then I need but I got a MIG and stick out of it.

The only thing about switching to .030 from .035 is I think I have to replace all 4 drive wheels right? Not sure about the gun liner also? Any reason you suggest switching to .030?

 

[zkling]

You will get a little better low end (thickness wise) capability with the smaller wire. Yes, if you do not have .030" capable rollers you will need a set to run 030 wire on that feeder. With that machine you could easily get into spray transfer, just depends what you are working on. Typically welding ~3/16"+ you won't gain anything bumping down wire size, but if you weld a pretty wide range of sheet metal up to ~3/8" you would see a control benefit on the lower thicknesses. If you have been doing fine with 035, stick with it, mearly just a suggestion.

 

[Jason280]

I've found the best deals and prices on eBay, using HTP (I think) wire....anywhere from 10lb to 35+ lb spools, running through Lincoln 255s and 140s MIG machines. Welds great, and is considerably cheaper than anywhere I've found it locally.

 

[FSUwelder1212]

Maybe I can provide some advice here. I'm a welding engineer and CWI that worked in filler metals for one of the larger power source and filler metal manufacturers in the US for 6 years. Generally the larger the diameter of the wire the cheaper the price per lb will be since there is less manufacturing involved (typically one less step in the draw die string). This only translates to generally a 10 cent per lb difference usually so not really a big deal .But if you're looking for the cheapest price, it's something to keep in mind. Also the larger the package generally will cost less per lb. This is especially apparent when it comes to retail buyers such as yourself, the retail packaging 10 lb or less spools are usually outrageously priced. My suggestion would be a 33 lb spool as it is by far the most common spool size manufactured.

As far as types of wire, you are looking at 2 classes ER70S-6 and ER70S-3. ER70S-6 is by far the most common and for good reason, the higher silicon and manganese content lend to welding over dirty materials better and generally offer a more fluid puddle and slightly better arc stability.

As far as brand, I tested many brands foreign and domestic for my former employer and I can tell you in general the domestics (Lincoln, Hobart, National Standard) are all pretty similar, to the point that the solid wire in industry is largely viewed as a commodity and price is typically what dictates what brand is used. However, Lincoln L-56 is considered the industry standard. I would stick with the domestic manufacturers, most wire out of china is garbage, some is ok but the QC is hit or miss. Also keep in mind, a lot of the house brands such as Prostar or Radnor are outsourced and who knows who the manufacturer is. That said If it hasn't changed, Prostar ER70S-6 used to be sourced from an Italian company that was actually a very good wire.

As far as my recommendation I would go to your local welding supply and buy a 33 lb spool of .035, either Hobart, Lincoln, or National standard (Lincoln L-56 if you want the best).

Sorry for the novel, I saw my time to shine and thought I could provide some valuable insight and help out.

 

[signcrafter]

You will get a little better low end (thickness wise) capability with the smaller wire. Yes, if you do not have .030" capable rollers you will need a set to run 030 wire on that feeder. With that machine you could easily get into spray transfer, just depends what you are working on. Typically welding ~3/16"+ you won't gain anything bumping down wire size, but if you weld a pretty wide range of sheet metal up to ~3/8" you would see a control benefit on the lower thicknesses. If you have been doing fine with 035, stick with it, mearly just a suggestion.

I'm not a serious welder by any means. Just basically stick pieces of metal together when needed. I can run a bead but don't really get into things much deeper then that. But I have needed to weld some thinner stuff before and I think a smaller diameter would have helped. But I think the cost of 4 new rollers isn't cheap.

Maybe I can provide some advice here.
Sorry for the novel, I saw my time to shine and thought I could provide some valuable insight and help out.

Thanks for the info. I'm going to go to airgas on Monday and see what they have to offer.

 

[mp4]

I'm a relatively low volume welder too. I used to buy larger rolls but the wire would rust when the humidity was high so I switched to smaller rolls. I keep a spare roll in the house so I don't get stranded at an inopportune time.

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