Does thinner wire weld thin metal better?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 30, 2010 | 12:23 AM

stoverz28

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 792

Likes: 6

From: Buda, Texas

Does thinner wire weld thin metal better?

I have had trouble welding sheet metal on my project car without it burning through and looking like crap. Im using a miller mig welder with .030 wire, would switching to .024 help to keep me from burning through this stuff?

I have it set to what miller recommends but it still burns through unless i go REAL fast...

Dec 30, 2010 | 12:40 AM

01ssreda4

TECH Senior Member

iTrader: (96)

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 24,241

Likes: 89

From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005

Absolutely, welding thin metal with thick wire is close to impossible.

Dec 30, 2010 | 06:00 AM

Mr.Nguyen

Staging Lane

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 85

Likes: 0

From: Las Vegas, NV

When welding on thin metal like a 20 gauge or even 22 gauge sheet metal I use a thin wire. I have the welder set on 1 and the wire speed about 35-40. I also use a 75/25 mix at 30psi on a 120v welder. Hope this helps you out OP

Dec 30, 2010 | 01:03 PM

stoverz28

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 792

Likes: 6

From: Buda, Texas

thanks for the help guys. Those are the same settings I was at Mr. Nguyen so I guess i try switching to .024 wire.

Dec 31, 2010 | 12:13 AM

sjsingle1

TECH Senior Member

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 6,756

Likes: 292

From: Fort Worth TX

some welding machines just dont like welding thin stuff no matter what you do

Dec 31, 2010 | 02:01 AM

Mr.Nguyen

Staging Lane

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 85

Likes: 0

From: Las Vegas, NV

Can you please post up pics of the pieces you welded? I would try the tip being a little further away. Or even have a faster travel speed. are you pushing or pulling?

Jan 2, 2011 | 01:28 PM

stoverz28

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 792

Likes: 6

From: Buda, Texas

Ill see if i still have it outside but i think i threw it out. I usually pull using a u shaped pattern.

Trending Topics

Oil Bypass Barbell

20

378
Disappointing Dyno Results

14

218
So GM / ACD is no longer an option for Oil Pressure Sending Units?

11

258
406 Hydraulic to Solid Roller cam results

15

502
1999 SS 1LE (aka. White Privilege)

38

1.5k

Jan 2, 2011 | 09:33 PM

Mr.Nguyen

Staging Lane

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 85

Likes: 0

From: Las Vegas, NV

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoverz28

Ill see if i still have it outside but i think i threw it out. I usually pull using a u shaped pattern.

Pushing will help you keep the heat down because you are aiming forward if that makes any sense to you. When I get to much heat, I would push rather than pull. When the weld is to cold I would pull the puddle so that I can get more heat.

I forgot to mention if you place the work piece on like a large piece of steal and clamp it down to it. Its another trick to keeping the heat down too.

Last edited by Mr.Nguyen; Jan 2, 2011 at 09:39 PM.