.030 or .035

[Bert]

Sure you want to do vertical down on a axle bracket? Haven't done anything that critical with mig, but like on stick, vertical up has more penetration...
Let me know if I'm wrong or misled.
thanks,
bert

[beamwalker]

i like .030 for repairing silverware at the local chinese restaurant to get 25% off my meal

[mingoglia]

If possible, my first choice would be to tack the bracket into position. Then remover the axle from the vehicle, so that I could place the joint in a better position to weld it out.

I may actually do that. I've been actually kicking around the idea especially since I don't have a lift. I did a repair similiar to this (with stick) on the trail with a couple of batteries, some jumper cables, and some 6011. Yeah, MIG will be much easier (in a controlled environment especially) but I'm having flash backs.

[Danny]

That brings up my next question (thank you). This will be a bracket on my axle. This bracket goes on the backside and extends to the bottom of the axle tube. Because of this my weld will start in a vertical down and finish with me lying on my back in a overhead horizontal. Any suggestions that might help me with votlage/wire speed/body position/technique?

Thanks!

Mike

If possible, my first choice would be to tack the bracket into position. Then remover the axle from the vehicle, so that I could place the joint in a better position to weld it out.

[mingoglia]

I'm assuming on this 3/16" you are trying to use the door chart setting. In my opinion, for a horizontal or flat T joint or lap, the door chart setting is to cold. Jump up to the 1/4" door chart setting ( voltage tap #4) for your starting point on these joints.

That brings up my next question (thank you). This will be a bracket on my axle. This bracket goes on the backside and extends to the bottom of the axle tube. Because of this my weld will start in a vertical down and finish with me lying on my back in a overhead horizontal. Any suggestions that might help me with votlage/wire speed/body position/technique?

Thanks!

Mike

[Danny]

For 16 ga - 1/4" and the ocassional jump up to 3/8", on the MM 210, an .030 wire works the best. Understand too, for the same output power level ( voltage and amperage), the .030 wire has a higher current density then the .035. What this means is the .030 at the same output power level has the potential to produce a deeper penetrating weld. The only real advantage an .035 wire would provide on a unit this size, would be in a production environment. The .035 has a higher deposition rate then the .030, which means the .035 will produce a weld bead quicker. For the hobbyist level weldor, I look upon this as a disadvantage, due to it giving you less time to read the weld puddle.

I'm assuming on this 3/16" you are trying to use the door chart setting. In my opinion, for a horizontal or flat T joint or lap, the door chart setting is to cold. Jump up to the 1/4" door chart setting ( voltage tap #4) for your starting point on these joints.

[Sundown]

I would use .030 on 3/16", for 1/4" I might be tempted to jump to .035, best is to do some testing and see which one you like at different thickness's. I am using Pinnacle .030 and I guess I will need to try some of their .035 to see how it runs ... it's just that it's hard to get from here.

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

i have a jeep as well and i use 035 in the mm250 for working on the jeep and i use the tig ,, but for the most part the 035 works great for all jeep work. I did use 023 and the little welder tho when i replaced some rust spots

[mingoglia]

well.. i use the 030 in my mm 135 and can go to about 1/4 steel with a good weld. Once i got the 251 tho i pretty much use the 035 for down to 3/16 & 1/4. I find the 035 is more versitle because you dont have to change wires when you want to do heavy steel. Your machine can easily handle 1/2 steel with a 035 wire, i dont know how thick your planning to weld but if your going to stay 1/4 and under i would use the 030, however if your going to be jumping all over the place in steel thickness you may as well use 035. Hope this helps

For the most part most things I'll be welding will be 3/16" like this bracket I need to weld on. This welder is primarily to fix the junk I brake off the Jeep wheeling. Much of this is 3/16". In addition I'll use it for my cage which is about the thinnest stuff I'll be welding. I'll be fabing up a bumper soon which may be 3/16" as well.

For the immediate project I'm doing this weekend it's 3/16". Since this is an axle bracket I'm most concerned about getting a good weld on this project. This of course being this weld could mean the difference between having my axle rip off going down the road. Would you recommend getting a small spool of .035 for this project to "make sure"... or just burn metal for a few hours the next couple of nights in preperation for the real project on Saturday?

Mike

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

well.. i use the 030 in my mm 135 and can go to about 1/4 steel with a good weld. Once i got the 251 tho i pretty much use the 035 for down to 3/16 & 1/4. I find the 035 is more versitle because you dont have to change wires when you want to do heavy steel. Your machine can easily handle 1/2 steel with a 035 wire, i dont know how thick your planning to weld but if your going to stay 1/4 and under i would use the 030, however if your going to be jumping all over the place in steel thickness you may as well use 035. Hope this helps

[mingoglia]

I think that .030 Pinnacle, Radnor, Hobart HB-28, or Lincoln L-56 (kinda in that order) run the best in my MM210 and in fact my roll of .035 HB-28 is shink wraped in the cabinet in case I might ever need it. I have nothing aginst .035 but just feel that .030 runs better in that machine.

Interesting. Okay, I suppose I'll stick with the .030 (It's Pinnacle). Do you think even for 3/16" or higher? Can I run the .030 with the larger materials? When would it be prudent to use a larger wire? 3/8"?

Thanks for your help guys.

Mike

[Sundown]

I think that .030 Pinnacle, Radnor, Hobart HB-28, or Lincoln L-56 (kinda in that order) run the best in my MM210 and in fact my roll of .035 HB-28 is shink wraped in the cabinet in case I might ever need it. I have nothing aginst .035 but just feel that .030 runs better in that machine.

[jamlit]

Hey anyone know what the gas mixture Praxair's "Stargon C-320" is? i have that at work and it works great but not shure what mix it is.[/QUOTE]

The stargon is basically the same as the BOC Argoshield. Argon, CO2, O2 mix. here is a link to the praxair sire on the stargon products.

http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/7a1106cc7ce1c54e85256a9c005accd7/eb1882a4b28bd23f85256e750065759a?OpenDocument

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

The miler guns are bad for that , i replaced all my miller guns with tregaskiss toughguns because of that problem. If i were you i'd go with the 035 vs. the 030 because its more versitle. The welder you have is a great machine and can tackle pretty much anything you throw at it if you have a 035 wire in it(er70s-6 wire i prefer), i have the MM 35 and it is basicly the eqivilant of the 210 and i'm running a 035 in it and it works great
Hey anyone know what the gas mixture Praxair's "Stargon C-320" is? i have that at work and it works great but not shure what mix it is.

[mingoglia]

I have to head to the welding shop I bought the MM from tomorrow as my torch is on the blink. When I got it on Friday and set it up the torch would just keep feeding wire (and gas) like I was holding the switch. A couple of smacks with an open hand and it was fine. On occasion it happens again and I have to smack it. Last night it kept feeding, curled up, and arched after I lifted my hood (didn't realize it started running) so I guess it's time to get it replaced/looked at. I suppose the switch is bad in it.

Anyway, while I'm there I'll pick up some .035. Any other pros/cons?

Mike