Should I be using nozzle gel?

[herbet99]

Who uses it, why, and how much time do you spend welding?

 

[Thumper68]

I use it when running longer beads or when doing final weld up on a big project, the rest of the time I go with out.

 

[slip knot]

I've tried it, cant say it helped or hurt. didn't see much difference really.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I was told that you should use it a couple of times each day.

 

[popparoach]

I used it on my nozzle,it didn't help the burning.

 

[zkling]

Running solid wire with 75/25+ shielding, never really needed it*. What I've surmised is that some people with some wire on some machine need it. Used to work with a guy that had one heck of a issue, and used nozzle gel like he was glazing a Christmas ham. The nozzle, the parts within ~4" from the joint. Offered to help him tweak his settings numerous time, was to arrogant to listen.

My opinion is to start by tweaking your settings. Some machines, particularly tapped machines can be more problematic at times. Just depends on how bad the problem is.

My 2¢

*Now where I have seen it make a big difference is on larger dual shield or self shielded wires.

 

[Tinner]

I use it all the time. The purpose of it is to keep spatter from building up inside the nozzle. It doesn't enhance your welds, other than to give better gas coverage.

I dip the nozzle quickly, when it's good and hot. I wipe off the outside of the nozzle and the end of the wire. After a while, you build up a coating of carbon on the inside of the nozzle and the end of the tip. That's what keeps the spatter from sticking.

If you're trying to keep the nozzle wet all the time, you just end up making a mess. Too much gel dripping into the weld can cause porosity.

Dialing in the machine is the best way to minimize spatter. Nozzle gel is just a help to keep the nozzle clean. Use of nozzle gel is misunderstood by lots of welders. Like wire lube, a little goes a long way.

 

[vpd66]

The only time I use nozzle dip is when I mig with straight CO2. Mig welding with straight CO2 creates more spatter and seems to plug up the nozzle quicker. If I'm welding with 75/25 I don't seem to get much build up in the nozzle and a couple quick taps seems to clear the nozzle.

 

[Fender1325]

I use it after eating spicey foods like mexican........err wait

 

[1930]

I use it all the time. The purpose of it is to keep spatter from building up inside the nozzle. It doesn't enhance your welds, other than to give better gas coverage.

I dip the nozzle quickly, when it's good and hot. I wipe off the outside of the nozzle and the end of the wire. After a while, you build up a coating of carbon on the inside of the nozzle and the end of the tip. That's what keeps the spatter from sticking.

If you're trying to keep the nozzle wet all the time, you just end up making a mess. Too much gel dripping into the weld can cause porosity.

Dialing in the machine is the best way to minimize spatter. Nozzle gel is just a help to keep the nozzle clean. Use of nozzle gel is misunderstood by lots of welders. Like wire lube, a little goes a long way.

Exactly

 

[Stooge]

I might not use it before every time I am welding something, but fairly frequently when I pull the nozzle off to clean out splatter with welding pliers and a rag, and it will get a dip in gel and the give the contact tip a very light smear to try and keep everything clean and cut down the likelihood of a possible gas flow restriction if it gets built up in there.

 

[Fender1325]

Honestly, i never use it. I take the nozzle off and tap out any build up. If it doesnt come out I use some pliers and scratch it out and go back to welding. One less thing to waste money on.

 

[justanengineer]

I used to use it almost every time I welded to keep the cup clean, now Ive got some much better stuff in an aerosol can from 3m. I'd volunteer a name but google-fu isnt working this morning and my shop already moved to NY.

 

[pepi]

Never ...... that's what welpers are for.

 

[Superbec]

never used it

if you tune the machine good you hardly get any spatter, clean the nozzle every few hours or so

i have a few miles of mig beads... I hated every minute of it

 

[Gidge]

I chose "never" but only because I have not yet learned the skill of welding.

 

[BD1]

I use it all the time. The purpose of it is to keep spatter from building up inside the nozzle. It doesn't enhance your welds, other than to give better gas coverage.

I dip the nozzle quickly, when it's good and hot. I wipe off the outside of the nozzle and the end of the wire. After a while, you build up a coating of carbon on the inside of the nozzle and the end of the tip. That's what keeps the spatter from sticking.

If you're trying to keep the nozzle wet all the time, you just end up making a mess. Too much gel dripping into the weld can cause porosity.

Dialing in the machine is the best way to minimize spatter. Nozzle gel is just a help to keep the nozzle clean. Use of nozzle gel is misunderstood by lots of welders. Like wire lube, a little goes a long way.

Yes I agree on using it. IF your metal is not super clean the nozzel gel will help or if you weld on galvanized. As stated you dip when HOT. I bought some Zoro with the 30 % off. This was really cheap for a large size and it is a plastic container with screw on lid and not metal as picture. It was a great deal for sure.
http://www.zoro.com/weld-aid-heavy-duty-nozzle-dip-gel-32-oz95l/g/00125203/

 

[bcradio]

I use it all the time. The purpose of it is to keep spatter from building up inside the nozzle. It doesn't enhance your welds, other than to give better gas coverage.

I dip the nozzle quickly, when it's good and hot. I wipe off the outside of the nozzle and the end of the wire. After a while, you build up a coating of carbon on the inside of the nozzle and the end of the tip. That's what keeps the spatter from sticking.

If you're trying to keep the nozzle wet all the time, you just end up making a mess. Too much gel dripping into the weld can cause porosity.

Dialing in the machine is the best way to minimize spatter. Nozzle gel is just a help to keep the nozzle clean. Use of nozzle gel is misunderstood by lots of welders. Like wire lube, a little goes a long way.

This guy gets it

 

[66354dream]

Depends on where its going

 

[MJD1]

Why wouldn't you use it, its cheap and it saves cleaning time. I use it on plasma drag shields as well. Also the spray stuff makes a good protective coating if you are around paint or chrome.

 

[Fender1325]

Why wouldn't you use it, its cheap and it saves cleaning time. I use it on plasma drag shields as well. Also the spray stuff makes a good protective coating if you are around paint or chrome.

Because it costs money and takes all of 20 seconds to clean

 

[MJD1]

Because it costs money and takes all of 20 seconds to clean

Extending consumable life alone will pay for it. Also the 20 seconds or so adds up when welding with co2 or on crappy material where cleaning is required pretty often. You will see very few professional welders who don't use it.

 

[bcradio]

Because it costs money and takes all of 20 seconds to clean

$4 for a 20 year supply is a ton of money. And it only takes 20 seconds if you're lucky and have nothing stick in there. I've spent up to ten minutes before.

 

[Monkey Milk]

never,

I just made it a habit to always have my welpers next to me(holster). I'm always whacking on the nozzle and sticking the pliers up into it to clear it out, it second nature.

 

[Ilikeike]

I use it,because I have time since I'm just a home hobby welder,
so I don't mind going the extra mile to take care of or extend the life of my equipment, even if it has minimal effect.

 

[pepi]

Extending consumable life alone will pay for it. Also the 20 seconds or so adds up when welding with co2 or on crappy material where cleaning is required pretty often. You will see very few professional welders who don't use it.

Nice try no cigars, have a welder has the same slip nozzle that came with the machine, 7 years ago, did change the contact tip once. Welpers have been the only tool used. Nozzle snot is like octane boost, works only in ones mind.

" You will see very few professional welders who don't use it" post that one over at the WW, should go over like a lead ballon

Rock on
Greg

 

[MJD1]

Nice try no cigars, have a welder has the same slip nozzle that came with the machine, 7 years ago, did change the contact tip once. Welpers have been the only tool used. Nozzle snot is like octane boost, works only in ones mind.

" You will see very few professional welders who don't use it" post that one over at the WW, should go over like a lead ballon

Rock on
Greg

What gas are you using, how much wire do you use? If you went thru no nozzles and 1 tip, not much. I have been welding professionally for over 30 years and have used tons of wire. So take it for what it's worth, the stuff wouldn't be on the market and sold to professionals every day if it wasn't effective. Also for what it's worth , I am on welding web.

 

[Fender1325]

Im not welding every day, and have only been welding for 1 year, but Ive burned about 10lbs of wire on 75/25 and mild steel and havent burnt out a tip or nozzle. Occasional tap and Im back in business.

 

[4 FN 27]

Yep use it almost every time I weld. I am a weekend warrior on the welder. Dip it after it is hot and then I keep a piece of scrap near by and run a small bead on that to get the drips off the Nozzle and keep them out of the welds.

 

[kelpaso1]

I seem to always have this problem. Millermatic 175, solid wire, 75/25. I always seem to have spatter build up in the nozzle and tip. You guys mention to "tune" the machine to help, but no one mentioned how?

 

[Reversepolarity]

Pam cooking spray works just as well.

 

[danscobra6]

Pam cooking spray works just as well.

I read the whole tread waiting for someone to mention Pam. That's what I use, cheap and works great.

 

[MJD1]

I seem to always have this problem. Millermatic 175, solid wire, 75/25. I always seem to have spatter build up in the nozzle and tip. You guys mention to "tune" the machine to help, but no one mentioned how?

Easiest way is to have a helper make fine adjustments on your wire speed while you are welding. Hold the arc lenght and gun angle like you would normally use, assuming it's correct, then fine tune to get the smoothest SOUNDING arc you can get. Once you get experienced to the sound and feel of the proper arc, it will come easy to make adjustments. If your machine has a parameter, cheat sheet, start there

 

[My Old Tools]

I spray mine with Pam cooking spray. works well with flux core wire.

 

[zkling]

I seem to always have this problem. Millermatic 175, solid wire, 75/25. I always seem to have spatter build up in the nozzle and tip. You guys mention to "tune" the machine to help, but no one mentioned how?

Tweak your voltage/wire feed setting. Start by increasing the voltage for a given wire speed to decrease spatter. Almost all machines will have an infinite wire feed speed but not an infinite voltage adjustment. Keep sickout (distance from contact tip to weld puddle) to a minimum. Don't tip the gun too far to one side.

Tweak the settings on purpose and you will get a feel for how the arc and spatter responds.

As I mentioned above, some machines with certain wires are more prone to heavy spatter that likes to collect inside the nozzle.

 

[tubamonster]

I voted for never. Nozzle gel can cause porosity if used in excess. I choose not to run the risk of using it. I check the nozzle frequently and clean the spatter frequently.

 

[Ilikeike]

Pam cooking spray works just as well.

Which is better,Conola or butter flavor ?

 

[Engine]

Pam for grilling -- when you really want to "turn up the heat."