which wire to use for mig welding 23 or 30

[moparjohnny]

i will be welding in a few weeks on some parts not sure which to use. thanks

 

[modernistsouth]

i will be welding in a few weeks on some parts not sure which to use. thanks

For sheet metal, you want to use .23 gage wire. Thicker gage for thicker metals, although you can get away with several passes on the thicker stuff. Also the 75/25 industrial mix gas is best.

 

[BeastlyBirdie]

.024 solid for any sheetmetal including subframes. Modernist is correct on mix. If welding is new, get some 18-22 gauge scrap and attach it to practice. I would suggest right angle, butt welds, lap joints.

 

[hunt2elk]

We used .023 for everything when rebuilding my Charger project.

 

[conv67bdere]

X2 on the 23/24 for sheet metal . . . my engineer friend said that the thicker wire carries more heat, and the more heat, the more chance of warping.

Oh . . . and practice, practice, practice . . .

I'm doing all my floor pans and metal work the is less seen before I tackle the body panels that EVERYONE will see ! ! !

Good luck and have fun ! ! !

 

[bm02tj]

This is fun I am burning up wire for practice to see what amperage and speed to use then I will take the lesson from the guy I bought it from
He built his hot rod as in forming the panels doors and frame so I know he will be good for my lesson
Good luck and practice lots first

 

[Budnicks]

For sheet metal, you want to use .23 gage wire. Thicker gage for thicker metals, although you can get away with several passes on the thicker stuff. Also the 75/25 industrial mix gas is best.

X2, that's what I was going to say

 

[wedge69]

Also a GOOD Helmet !! Can't weld good if ya can't see good !
Spend the money on an auto shade !

 

[Doright]

I have .023 .030 .035 wire, I find 30 is easier and I have less blow threw with .030 compared to when I use .023 why??????

I cant get 75/25 Im using an 80/20 steel mix what am I doing wrong? Miller Matic 251 digital set to mfg chart settings on machine.
Good grnd clean machine and tips clean fresh wire always clean metal guess I need more practice?

 

[bm02tj]

Just opened up my new auto shade helmet will try today
with luck I will go from my scrap metal to some thing real as so as I get better

Bruce

 

[modernistsouth]

I have .023 .030 .035 wire, I find 30 is easier and I have less blow threw with .030 compared to when I use .023 why??????

I cant get 75/25 Im using an 80/20 steel mix what am I doing wrong? Miller Matic 251 digital set to mfg chart settings on machine.
Good grnd clean machine and tips clean fresh wire always clean metal guess I need more practice?

Smaller gauge wire transfers less heat to the metal, so you should get less blow out. When you go from flux core wire to solid wire, you also need to change the polarity from electrode positive to electrode negative. Electrode positive transfers more heat to the metal. Here is a good guide from AWS that explains much of this when related to sheet metal: http://www.aws.org/w/a/wj/2002/03/feature/

Also consider the source when you talk with someone about sheet metal. Our older cars tend have thicker skins than the new cars.

As far as your 80/20 mix; that's fine. I have always gotten my 75/25 from AirGas. There are also tri-mix gases that tend to be about 93% Argon, 5% CO2, and 2% Oxygen. They aren't so common in the US. You can also weld with straight CO2, but the arc is less stable and it tends to stutter more. Argon helps stabilize the arc. Straight Argon is more for aluminum welding and won't give enough heat to arc, making the bead much higher. It can be done, but doesn't produce a good weld.