What size welding wire 023 or 030

[moparjohnny]

I want be using gas to start out, but maybe later down the road.lincoln welder

 

[D575]

Mig wire or oxy acetylene welding rods ? shielding gas ?

 

[vintage chromoly]

It depends on what you are welding.

 

[wannadrag]

Sheet metal 023.I use 030 if i'm doing any welding on square tubing 25/75 mix of gas

 

[Pistol Pete]

The field is pretty much split between the two. I used to use .023 for sheetmetal as well, but recently switched to .030. I find I can run it a little hotter and it lays down a flatter bead. At the end of the day, what you'll ultimately use it what works best for you and your particular machine.

More information here than any of use will ever use. Good folks to boot.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/index.php

 

[747mopar]

I use .023 for all of my sheetmetal work and 80/20 shield gas.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's not the size of the wire, but the wire TYPE. You need flux core wire for no gas and solid wire for MIG. Also the polarity must be reversed from one to the other.

 

[Propwash]

I like .030 for sheetmetal........ .023" seems to get finicky with my welding style. Rather use more metal quicker at a bit more amps than less metal being pushed in for a longer period of time. All depends on your welding technique and something you'll have to play with and tweak. Anything over 1/8" thick, I'll switch over to stick. I don't use flux core for autobody. Too sloppy, too much spatter and ugly weld to clean up, but some folks make it work for themselves...not my cup of tea. Run a 75/25 mix as well.

 

[Budnicks]

I like .030 for sheetmetal........ .023" seems to get finicky with my welding style. Rather use more metal quicker at a bit more amps than less metal being pushed in for a longer period of time. All depends on your welding technique and something you'll have to play with and tweak. Anything over 1/8" thick, I'll switch over to stick. I don't use flux core for autobody. Too sloppy, too much spatter and ugly weld to clean up, but some folks make it work for themselves...not my cup of tea. Run a 75/25 mix as well.

:iamwithstupid:
Ditto, what he said... except I will weld up-to about 3/16"-1/4" with a MIG, I too like the 0.030" wire & Argon/CO2 25/75 mix, you can run hotter & get better penetration on most steel materials, depending on materials, but thinner than around 0.060", I generally will use Tig/Heli-arch, much less grinding necessary, allot more like gas welding, with allot less heat/distortion... I only use stick usually anymore {& very rarely}, when welding outside &/or on thicker than 1/4" metals/surfaces &/or structural/industrial, almost never on a car anymore...