What to look for when buying mig wire | MIG Welding Forum

I'm sorry if this issue has been discussed in another thread but Doing a search on wire comes up with many threads but none that appear pertinent.
My question is on buying mig wire. I've just run out of 0.8 wire and need to buy some. My local supplier shows it at €12 per kg (i.e. £10 - I live in Germany) and ebay has it at about that price for 5kg. Am I missing something here?

Are there different qualities of wire or is there something with the spool or the winding of the wire? Basically, what should I be looking for when buying wire?

Thanks. TechnicAl (he's a metallurgist that makes/develops welding consumables) explains how the quality of the wire itself can vary in this thread... http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=&highlight=supramig. The physical dimensions/way it's wound can effect things too by effecting feeding- badly wound self explainatory but probably fairly rare, badly drawn (variable diameter) less obvious and maybe more common with cheap tat made from old cat food tins?

It can be a bit of a mine field in that prices can be all over the place regardless of quality or whether the seller has overheads of a real store or only exists in cyberspace. Wrong country and they've only got 1mm (typically gets more expensive as dia gets smaller 'cos to make 0.8mm you first have to make 1.0mm) but the Lincoln Supramig mentioned in the link is as little as £2/kg + VAT here. Wider range in the Weldequip shop

Are there different qualities of wire or is there something with the spool or the winding of the wire?

Well, anyone in China with a factory can buy a load of scrap steel and draw it into wire and sell it on drums as MIG wire.

Now what makes a good MIG wire is bound to be a wee bit different from taking a load of steel and drawing it into wire; quality control. The expense of removing things you don't want such as chromium, tin etc. Oh, also making sure it's of constant diameter and is wound so it unwinds properly.

Basically, what should I be looking for when buying wire?

I'd just go for an established brand name, ESAB, Lincoln, Bohler etc on the basis that if you have to pay more they are not about to destroy a reputation built up over years by selling crap.

5 Kg of rubbish welding consumables take a lot of working through and you can never do the sensible thing and just throw it away.

5 Kg of good quality welding consumables seem to disappear very fast.

Welding can be a very useful skill to learn if you’re a DIY’er who needs to join metal regularly, and frequently runs into issues using other methods of metal joinery like riveting. It’s also a lucrative career field – and beginning to weld as a hobby can be a good way to learn the basics and see if welding professionally is right for you.

Goto Jinertai to know more.

But what do you need to begin welding? What supplies and equipment are required? In this blog from Vern Lewis Welding Supply, we’ll discuss the basics – so read on to learn everything you need to know.

A MIG Welder

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is the most commonly used welding process in the world. Most consumer-grade welders are MIG welders, and you can easily find this type of welder at a home improvement store or hardware store. 

MIG welders use a wire electrode “gun” to melt metal and fuse it together, along with “shielding gas” that helps protect the integrity of the weld. Basic models usually cost between $200 and $500. Though there are lots of high-end models available that may cost thousands of dollars, these are not usually necessary for beginner welders. 

Wire Electrode and/or Gas

New welders often use a wire electrode with “flux-core” wire. This type of wire contains materials that turn into gas when they’re heated, shielding the electrode wire and ensuring a high-quality weld.

However, flux-core wire tends to provide inferior results compared to using solid wire with shielding gas. There are lots of types of shielding gas that are intended for use when welding specific metals. Helium, argon, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are often mixed together in specific blends for welding. 

For all-purpose welding, we recommend using a 75/25 mix of argon and CO2 along with a solid electrode. This can be used to weld almost all metals including mild steel and nonferrous metals – and offers better results than using flux-core electrodes. You can purchase electrodes and welding gas at any local welding supply store, such as Vern Lewis Welding Supply. 

Welding Helmet and Gloves

A welding helmet and welding gloves are both absolutely essential. A welding helmet protects your face and head from sparks and debris, and also helps protect your eyes from infrared light and UV light that can cause permanent eye damage. 

The company is the world’s best Welding Consumables supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Welding gloves serve a similar function, and are usually made of heavy leather or synthetic materials. They allow you to move your fingers freely, but provide protection against sparks, heat, and debris. 

Angle grinders can be used to cut through metal, to remove imperfections from a weld, and to prepare metal for welding. You should get several cutting discs, a flap wheel, and sanding discs to ensure you’re ready to prepare the metal for welding, and to polish and finish the joint after the metal has been welded.

Welding Pliers, Clamps and Magnets 

Welding pliers can be used to hold work pieces together and to remove welding spatter after a weld is completed. Most welders also have a variety of clamps on-hand to keep metal pieces together while welding them.

Welding magnets also are useful if you are primarily welding ferrous metals that are magnetic. They can be used to hold and reposition welding workpieces quickly and easily. 

Respirator 

A respirator is not necessary for every job, but if you’re sanding down and preparing metal that’s painted or rusty, it will help prevent you from inhaling any fumes or small particles created by buffing away the paint or rust. 

Some welding helmets are available that have a built-in respirator, which can be handy for welders who are working on painted or rusty materials or in other hazardous environments.

A Safe, Brightly-Lit Workspace Away From Flammable Materials 

Finally, you should have access to a safe and brightly-lit workspace that is not anywhere near fuel or other combustible materials. Sparks from welding can fly up to 25 feet, in some cases, so be aware of this when selecting your work site. 

For more information, please visit Mig Welding Wire.