How to transition to MIG?

[dragoneggs]

when transitioning to mig like me..............dont do this!!!:mur:
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Looks like some of Terry's art... just on a smaller scale. :laughing:

 

[BigBlue1]

when transitioning to mig like me..............dont do this!!!:mur:
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Fortunately I read (or watched video) warning about that potential issue so I've been pretty careful handling my wire spools.

I did run into a couple cases where my wire got stuck in the tip of the gun and gave me a similar mess in the feed system. Kinda hurts to have to cut off the 10-12' of wire to fix that. Is there something useful a person can do with orphan lengths of MIG wire?

Rob

 

[coxhaus]

I like to load the wire with the gun tip off. Once the wire comes through the gun then slide the tip on the wire and screw the tip on the gun. It saves from getting a bird's nest loading the wire.

 

[Fallon]

Fortunately I read (or watched video) warning about that potential issue so I've been pretty careful handling my wire spools.

I did run into a couple cases where my wire got stuck in the tip of the gun and gave me a similar mess in the feed system. Kinda hurts to have to cut off the 10-12' of wire to fix that. Is there something useful a person can do with orphan lengths of MIG wire?

Rob

I keep a roll of tie wire around, might be more useful than duck tape. Hanging stuff for painting, keeping loose stuff from rattling around, keep stuff together like a beefy twist tie. Tons of generic uses. I'm sure mig wire would work just as well.

 

[BigBlue1]

I do also remove the tip to start a new strand of wire. My issues with birdsnests were from using flux core wire and trying to learn how to MIG weld. Gunked up the tip a few times and the wire plugged in the tip.

 

[Big Barn]

I have never done it but I know others have chucked lengths of it in a drill and created strands to use as Tig welding filler rods.

I suppose you could also use it for laying in voids or spaces before welding. Of course I have never had that problem. ==roll eyes emoji.

 

[the old grind]

We can skip using flux core wire for hanging painted parts to dry. That or I dare ya.

 

[Big Barn]

I do also remove the tip to start a new strand of wire. My issues with birdsnests were from using flux core wire and trying to learn how to MIG weld. Gunked up the tip a few times and the wire plugged in the tip.

Look on the bright side. If you remain REALLY bad in this transition and you continue having unspooled rolls and birdnesting, the worse you get the more wire you have for the scrapper.$$$$

Word of advice though. When your wire scrap weight approaches anywhere near 3 cents in value best you go back to flux core.

 

[California]

You guys snip your birds nests? The couple of times I've done that, I wound it back onto the spool.

Maybe flux core isn't as difficult to spool as stiff wire.

 

[Big Barn]

California you have way more patience than I. If it’s just a few wraps undone and not kinked I will spool it up. If it’s more I will most likely make it worse.

I TRY to realize when it’s time to cut my losses. Lol

 

[yomax4]

Bird nests are only possible if the wire tension dictates. I prefer the feed rolls to slip and or a burn back as opposed to a bird nest.. I do have the frequent slinky blowout when changing wire sizes. The key here is to have as many welders as grinders so you can have all wires ready to go :thumbsup:

 

[dragoneggs]

California you have way more patience than I. If it痴 just a few wraps undone and not kinked I will spool it up. If it痴 more I will most likely make it worse.

I TRY to realize when it痴 time to cut my losses. Lol

Problem is that I don't realize or accept it, until I'm well down the river and there is no turning back.

 

[coxhaus]

I hate changing wire. Multiple welders is the way to go. Also run 10 pound spools or if running big wire then 33 pounds spools. This saves changing wire.

You have to balance your use. You don't want your wire to corrode do to lack of use.

 

[dragoneggs]

I hate changing wire. Multiple welders is the way to go. Also run 10 pound spools or if running big wire then 33 pounds spools. This saves changing wire.

I run .030 for that reason. I struggle with .030 on thin stuff but I am lazy about changing spools. My second MIG will actually probably be a TIG for thin stuff and Aluminum. I don't really need it but... who doesn't want another tool to learn and use.

 

[coxhaus]

If you TIG for aluminum make sure you have AC. TIG DC is for steel. I am no TIG guy.

I bought a second MIG so I can run .024 wire. There are times when I need it and I don't want to gas weld. TIG is too slow for me. TIG kind of reminds me of gas welding

 

[dragoneggs]

If you TIG for aluminum make sure you have AC. TIG DC is for steel. I am no TIG guy.

I bought a second MIG so I can run .024 wire. There are times when I need it and I don't want to gas weld. TIG is too slow for me. TIG kind of reminds me of gas welding

Good points... yes if I pull the trigger, it will definitely be AC. A second MIG is on my wish list but way below upgrading my drill press and jointer. Have them both for sale and when they go the better unit will be quickly on order. Been selling other stuff that hasn't been used in years to fund.

 

[Big Barn]

I don't really need it but... who doesn't want another tool to learn and use.

 

[coxhaus]

Good points... yes if I pull the trigger, it will definitely be AC. A second MIG is on my wish list but way below upgrading my drill press and jointer. Have them both for sale and when they go the better unit will be quickly on order. Been selling other stuff that hasn't been used in years to fund.

Yes you have a nice wood working shop. What drill press and jointer you going to get? I have a small wood working shop also. I found a lot of old tools and refurbished them a few years ago. I have an old Delta Unisaw which is like the one I took shop class with back when I was 16. A short list is I have 2 Unisaws, 2 jointers, Atlas floor drill press, old Italian bandsaw, floor mortiser, router table, new Dewalt planer, Ridge table sander, a miter saw and a DC system. I need to sell a Unisaw and a jointer. The second Unisaw is a rare Jr model but I just don't have room for it. My shop has a raised wood floor so it does not lend itself to be a welding shop. I have to do welding out in the garage with a concrete floor.

 

[dragoneggs]

Sorry OP... Thread drift here but to answer your question, cox... I also have a old but not too old 3hp Unisaw. My planer is a 6in delta but want to upgrade to an 8in helical cutter Powermatic 60HH. There are some good deals on scratch and dent that become available every once in awhile. I missed my last chance. My drill press is an old floor standing craftsman. Need to replace the underpowered motor and instead have my eye on brand spanking new Nova (no not a Chevy) but a Voyager. These things are sweet! Direct drive variable speed. Check them out. Need to make sure my shop is set before fixed income hits.

6HH, 8" Jointer, 2HP 1PH with Helical Head

NOVA VOYAGER DVR 18" VARIABLE SPEED DRILL PRESS (SKU 58) - NOVA

 

[BigBlue1]

You guys snip your birds nests? The couple of times I've done that, I wound it back onto the spool.

Maybe flux core isn't as difficult to spool as stiff wire.

Well, the couple I've had have kinked the wire so bad at the feed that it didn't seem like I could fix things without cutting the wire.

Rob