MIG Wire

[R Bedell]

Recently, I picked up a nice MillerMatic 211 MIG welder. Being new to the MIG arena, I am in need of buying some MIG wire. I understand about the gauges and Flux Core, but want to focus in on the Solid Wire.

Is there a difference(s) in Wire or is any brand as good as the other..??

[DoubleO7]

I have used Linde, Lincoln, Radnor and Forney in my Millermatic 200.
.030 to .040 90% of the time, but it runs the fullsize 12" spools.
But it has been years since I bought any because I ended up with a dozen spools for free from a former employer that was scraping them.
They had some light rust on the wire here and there.
I just clothespin some steel wool onto the wire upstream of the wire drive.

I think your 211 runs the really small spool so you can try anything and if you don't like it, your not out so much.

[Terry C]

I just get what the welding shop that delivers the gas has on the truck, Praxair brand usually, don’t know who makes it for them.

[MikeMasheris]

Use what they have at Menard's it is all standard.I would not use flux core but solid with gas over it.Solid core leaves inclusions in the weld.

[cooperino]

The welder we use most of the time Millermatic 211 we use either 030 or 035 depending on the job. Have used a bunch of different brands but see little difference when using gas. We use a Co2/argon mix for steel. No need to use straight argon really. Only time we use different gas is for stainless with stainless wire but thats not all the time. We use the Tig for that usually.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by DoubleO7

I have used Linde, Lincoln, Radnor and Forney in my Millermatic 200.
.030 to .040 90% of the time, but it runs the fullsize 12" spools.
But it has been years since I bought any because I ended up with a dozen spools for free from a former employer that was scraping them.
They had some light rust on the wire here and there.
I just clothespin some steel wool onto the wire upstream of the wire drive.

I think your 211 runs the really small spool so you can try anything and if you don't like it, your not out so much.

The 211 can take small or large spools. But Double07 is right. Buy the 2 pounders to test out different wires!

[CADplans]

The gas is more important than the wire,,,
I know guys that have a fire extinguisher hooked to the welder for CO2 gas,,

Supposedly, best for steel, is a mix gas,,,

And then, there is argon for aluminum welding,

I have all three tanks, but, I am too laaaazy to hook it up, so, I stick weld!!

[R Bedell]

The gas is more important than the wire,,,

I went with the 75/25 Mix.

[SGragg]

I use Hobart wire from TSC, but really could get it anywhere. Would agree that using a cover gas is more important. I use an argon mix.

[finsruskw]

I think it's called steel-mix this neck of the woods.
That's what I use with my Lincoln