Newbie welder question.

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dartfreak75

dartfreak75

Restore it, Dont part it!
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I just ran out of wire in my new welder I have been using .030 that came with it. I just purchased a spool of .035 and another .030 just cause I wanted to test out the difference see what worked best for me. I also purchased a new pack of .035 tips to go with it. My question is can I use the .035 tips with .030 wire or do I need to use the exact size?
 
Agreed.^^^^^^^
It would be possible to use the .035 tip on .030 wire, but it wouldn't work well.
Obviously, trying to use .035 wire with an .030 tip wouldn't work because the wire won't fit through it.
The tips are actually called ''contact tips'' and that's how the wire is energized with the power for welding.
If there is too much slop in the contact between the wire and the tip, you will get inconsistent power to the wire causing it to sputter and weld inconsistently.
Yes, use the right size tip for the size of wire that you are using, and only buy copper coated mig wire, it welds much better than uncoated wire...........
 
I was told by a long time pro welder to use a .035 tip with 030... the tip will last longer as it does not get stuck in there. OK my language is not welder professional. I started doing that couple years ago. Works for me. I use way few tips with the tip one size larger. Just try it.
I have a little 110 Hobart that is 15-18 yrs old. I can weld some decent steel with .035 but the thinckiness is, I forget, maybe 3/8 maybe ??? I had an old stick welder I used pretty much for heavier stuff.

Today I am welding outside some 60 years old sheetmetal with .030. It ain't that easy, but I got it done. Would be harder to weld it with .023 and gas in the outdoors!!!!
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I was worried about bad contact as well that's why I asked. I was just thinking it would be easier and cheaper to just buy one size tip lol not a big deal deal tho I have a few 30s that came with the machine and just bought a pack of 25 of the o35s that should last me a lifetime no more than I weld!! To answer someone's question I dont have a large machine it's a harbor freight 125 it's made by Chicago I think. It says in the manual I can use either. 030 or 035. It's a flux core only welder so I doubt I could use .023. So far using the cheap hf .030 brand wire iv had pretty good success with the little welder. I'm still learning how to weld I'm no pro I'm sure ones I learn more and practice and hone my skills it will perform even better. Ppl talk so much bad things about them and I dont why. Maybe its because i never used anything high dollar so i dont know what I'm missing lol but for 89 bucks its sticks two pieces of metal together pretty darn strong!!
 
dartfreak75 said:
Thanks for the replies guys. I was worried about bad contact as well that's why I asked. I was just thinking it would be easier and cheaper to just buy one size tip lol not a big deal deal tho I have a few 30s that came with the machine and just bought a pack of 25 of the o35s that should last me a lifetime no more than I weld!! To answer someone's question I dont have a large machine it's a harbor freight 125 it's made by Chicago I think. It says in the manual I can use either. 030 or 035. It's a flux core only welder so I doubt I could use .023. So far using the cheap hf .030 brand wire iv had pretty good success with the little welder. I'm still learning how to weld I'm no pro I'm sure ones I learn more and practice and hone my skills it will perform even better. Ppl talk so much bad things about them and I dont why. Maybe its because i never used anything high dollar so i dont know what I'm missing lol but for 89 bucks its sticks two pieces of metal together pretty darn strong!!
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What brand is the wire, Chicago Electric or Vulcan? I have an Italian made HF Dual Mig 131 and it loves the new Vulcan .030 wire. Its not copper coated but works so much better than the older CE brand. My tip has been through the ringer, its about 1/8 shorter than it started as I'm always cleaning the tip with a file.
 
I sold welding equipment for 30 years and I always recommend to use on flux cored wire the next bigger tip. Flux cored wire doesn't run true to size and can cause feed problems if you run a .030 tip with .030 wire. I have also used the next side up tip on hard wire ( using gas ). The .023 does work better on thinner material because the gas will help cool the material
 
pishta said:
What brand is the wire, Chicago Electric or Vulcan? I have an Italian made HF Dual Mig 131 and it loves the new Vulcan .030 wire. Its not copper coated but works so much better than the older CE brand. My tip has been through the ringer, its about 1/8 shorter than it started as I'm always cleaning the tip with a file.
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The wire I just bought is Lincoln wire in the .035 and blue demon in the .030. Just wanted to try some different things and see what I like the best.
 
I have a Lincoln Weld-Pak 110. I am not a professional. Not even close to intermediate.... The book and other info I read on using it is that smaller wire is better on thinner metal. I think the metal on my Dart is either 18 or 20 gauge. I practiced before being serious with the .035 wire and had burn through until I had voltage, wire speed, and hand travel speed right.
 
Louie70Dart said:
I have a Lincoln Weld-Pak 110. I am not a professional. Not even close to intermediate.... The book and other info I read on using it is that smaller wire is better on thinner metal. I think the metal on my Dart is either 18 or 20 gauge. I practiced before being serious with the .035 wire and had burn through until I had voltage, wire speed, and hand travel speed right.
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The OP does not have use of gas, so he must use .030 or lager flux wire. If he welds sheetmetal it can be done with .030 but like just said, the right hear, speed, go d ground, clean metal is the key plus being able to hit the target and with a burst of weld of maybe 1 1/2 - 2 seconds, Other wise on 60 yr old sheet metal yo will get burn through, but he will learn to fix that! If you have new 18 ga and welding to older 18 ga that has rusted thinner? put more toward the thicker newer metal!
Yes the higher $ welders do weld a better weld! I have never owned on e but used that at work places and they are great.
 
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