When Is It Time to Replace Contact Tip

[johns6]

How do you know when it is time to replace contact tip on a mig? I have a MM 210 and have used up a 10lb. spool of wire and it still is feeding and welding good. I was kind of under the impression that I would have gone through a tip by now.

[migmaniac70]

When the hole in the end of it gets ovalized,Change it, When it gets all burnt up and there is alot of debree on the tip change it.Basicaly when you weld quality or performance starts to suffer change it.Nozel dip will help extend your tip life if used correctly.

[hankj]

I'm like you, John. I never went through a tip on the MM135, even after running 30# of .030 through it. I think some of that had to do with the "tip saver" feauyre that kills the weld current when you hit the work with the tip, but I still a have a bunch of M-10 gun .030 tips!

I'm sure it has to do with how much wire you're pushing through there. A hobbyist like me really doesn't get to weld a whole lot in actual arc-on time.

Hank

[johns6]

Hank,

The 210 doesn't have the "tip saver" so that couldn't be the reason. I do use an anti-spatter spray, maybe that helps. I also have a M-10 gun that was given to me by my dealer as it was a take-off someone didn't want. It appears to have the same tips as the M-25 gun. Am I correct on that?

[cope]

Hank,

The 210 doesn't have the "tip saver" so that couldn't be the reason. I do use an anti-spatter spray, maybe that helps. I also have a M-10 gun that was given to me by my dealer as it was a take-off someone didn't want. It appears to have the same tips as the M-25 gun. Am I correct on that?

John,

Tips are the same.

[hankj]

Yeah, same-o. I don't think it even knows it was used at the end of a 10# roll. Guys that burn 3 or 4 33# rolls a week probably go through tips. I can't afford enough steel to go through too much bead! I've gotten so bad that when I really need a fix, I go out in the scrap bin and yank out whatever junk I have in there and stick it together! Maybe someday it'll turn into some monster yard ornament - Steelzilla!!

Hank

[Paul Seaman]

I've only gone through about 4 tips in the last 80# of wire. You may get 20# run before you notice it going bad. I run no offshore wire so my oxidation is practically nill and I use name brand wire which I attribute to the long tip life!

Keep on keepin on,

[johns6]

Thanks for all the replies. I think my tip is still good, they last longer than I expected.

[migmaniac70]

Thanks for all the replies. I think my tip is still good, they last longer than I expected.

I was impressed at how long one will last also. Seems like forever since i had to change one on my old HH180.

[Mike W]

I think I have gone thru a couple of 30 pound spools of .035 on the same tip, maybe more.