many Qs: best wire for .120 steel, settings, etc.

[ZACHV]

OK, I have been "lurking" for a while and finally registered. I want to say hi to all and thanks to the informed giving their opinions.

I have a Lincoln SP175 and am self teching myself to use it correctly. I also have one of the big Lincoln stick welders also that a buddy gave me. I am trying to MIG everything that is not too big. I will be building some items for Jeeps and want to become proficient in MIG welding on steel tube. I have seen the images describing proper oscillation and think that will help tremendously, but I have seen some people not agree with the label on the welder for the proper settings so I am wondering if their is a better guide. Next is there a place to learn the "guage to inch ratio", meaning how think is 16 guage, etc.?

Also, I have called my local vo-tech and the next welding class is not until February and would like to know what the best video or book series is to learn. Any opinions?

Thanks for all informed responses and have a great day.

[BillC]

Re: many Qs: best wire for .120 steel, settings, etc.

Originally posted by ZACHV
OK, I have been "lurking" for a while and finally registered. I <<SNIP>>
Next is there a place to learn the "guage to inch ratio", meaning how think is 16 guage, etc.?
<<SNIP>>
Thanks for all informed responses and have a great day.

Try this link for sheet metal gauge...

http://www.engineersedge.com/gauge.htm

Have Fun!

[ZACHV]

Thanks. I appreciate the help.

[Dan]

On 1/8" (.125) and thinner material I prefer to use an .030 solid wire and 75/25 shielding gas. Actually, I ve started using it more for 3/16" material too, especially in the vertical up position.

[ZACHV]

Yeah, I have .023 in there right now, but have a spool of .030 ready to be put in. I'll have to let you guys know how it comes out.

[Dan]

Originally posted by ZACHV
Yeah, I have .023 in there right now, but have a spool of .030 ready to be put in. I'll have to let you guys know how it comes out.

An .030 wire on the .120 material should give you a softer more stable arc then the .023 wire. Reason being because each diameter of wire has a specific current range were short circuit transfer occurs. Once the upper limit is exceed the mode of metal transfer transitions into the spray arc range but without the proper gas and voltage capability the metal transfer is a globular.

[ZACHV]

Dan, thanks for the insight. It makes sense now because the filler metal seems to "drip" into the puddle with the .023.

My next question is with the .030 wire does that change my setting on my machine, and how so? I imagine I have to up the amperage?

[Dan]

Originally posted by ZACHV
Dan, thanks for the insight. It makes sense now because the filler metal seems to "drip" into the puddle with the .023.

My next question is with the .030 wire does that change my setting on my machine, and how so? I imagine I have to up the amperage?

Based on welding the same material thickness, switching from an .023 to an .030 will require you to lower the wire speed. The voltage can generally stay the same with maybe a slight amount of tweaking if the machine has an infinate voltage control. Here is an example off the parameter chart of my MM 210. Wire is E70S-6 and the gas is C25. Material thickness is 1/8".

.023- Voltage setting # 3 Wire speed - 65
.030- Voltage setting # 3 Wire speed - 50