MIG wire size

[shamrock12]

I have a new Millermatic 212 welder that I am setting up in my hobby shop. I plan to be welding mostly 1/8" to 1/4" material. Mainly mild steel. Maybe some thinner materials from time to time but nothing thinner than 1/16". Which size wire would be better suited for the material I intend to weld; 0.030" or 0.035"?

 

[great white tj]

.030 wire will work good for ya. I run .30 in my MM211, and .35in my 252. For thin ga. I use .024 in my HB 140..

 

[ishiboo]

I think you're looking at .030 and .023. I wouldn't consider 035 for those tasks.

 

[slopdog]

for material from 1/16 up to 1/4 another voter for .030 .

 

[Stooge]

I use .030 for 95% of the stuff i do, from 1/4" to 20ga. I do keep a small spool of .023 for some smaller sheet metal projects but usually get by with the .030

 

[brownbagg]

i really like the small 025 in the smaller mig machine, they come alive with it, but those machine are only good for 1/8 and below

 

[bsaint]

045 for a robot.

 

[BD1]

I vote for the .030. Lincoln's Super Arc L-56 runs nice.

 

[gearhead1]

I run 0.030 in my Miler 180. I go even thinner than 1/16 with it. You'll be happy with it.

 

[fnieto]

I hate to be the odd ball on this one, but .035 would yield perfect welds in this material range. Also provides for a faster deposit of filler resulting in less noble gas consumption.
Not saying .030 wouln't work.

 

[Chuck122]

I hate to be the odd ball on this one, but .035 would yield perfect welds in this material range. Also provides for a faster deposit of filler resulting in less noble gas consumption.
Not saying .030 wouln't work.

I agree. I use .035 in my Mig. I have done body work with it, and once properly adjusted it did pretty good. Altought I have never used .030, I'd guess smaller wire would not allow you to weld as hot on thicker stuff. Given that .035 is serviceable in sheet metal and probably more effective in thicker stuff, I'd say take the extra .005.

 

[zkling]

0.030" and 75/25

 

[Engine]

I get a little better looking welds using the .030" wire. It seems to be a little easier to control in the vertical up or overhead positions than the .035" gauge. I've used it on everything from 16 ga. to 1/2" with no problems.

 

[Jackfre]

I run the .030 or .035. Net/net it is all about you and the practice you put in to get to know the set up. If you are doing flat work on a table it is all pretty easy. Position welds are another matter and only practice will pay off. Go ahead, ask me how I know

 

[zengarage]

I vote for .035. I only use .035 and .045 these days. Haven't used .030 in a long time.

 

[sberry]

The 212 is an 030 machine, it will run the others but they designed the sweet spot around it.