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MG MGA - MIG wire size for MGA bodywork?

Just bought a cheap ( Chinese made - about UAD $130) MIG on Ebay, and as a newbie , and just knowing enough to get into trouble, I need to know the best wire size for body work. I've been to my local metal fabricator and scrounged a pile of sheet metal ( same thickness as the body panels) and am wanting to practice, NO, teach myself how to use a MIG.
I have used, and am OK with a Dillon oxy/acetylene set- up and now want to set about mastering a new skill.

Am also eye-ing off one of those single sided spot welders on Ebay- are they worth the $'s ?

Any tips , gratefully appreciated
M THOMPSON

Its not really the wire size, but your power and speed settings on your unit....these are the crucial ones. Hopefully your "cheap" unit allows a range to suit, otherwise there will be some large holes to fill!
Gary Lock

I found my attempts at welding improved when I changed over from 0.8mm to 0.6 but even bigger improvements came with an Argon mix gas instead of CO2 only and an auto darkening helmet. I borrow my son's spot welder and it's a terrific tool and almost indispensable if you have a lot of body work to do..............Mike
m.j. moore

Use the smaller size on sheet metal. If memory serves me right it .023 instead of .030. I use a Argon CO2 mix. The straight Argon is more money and probably not worth the price.
Bill Haglan

Agree, .023 is good. I use it for sheet work and heavy work (1/4") as well.
Art Pearse

I use .023 and straight co2 on the small stuff and .035 flux-core on the big stuff. Seems to do fine. Marvin
Marvin Stuart

I use L-Tec Easy Grind wire made by ESAB. It has slightly less carbon than other MIG welding wire, and the difference in grinding time/weld cleanup is remarkable. No sacrifice in weld strength, this wire is also used at Eclectic Motorworks. A good welding equipment supply shop should be able to get it for you. Also, definitely use Argon/CO2 mix, but that requires a special gas regulator, also readily available.
G Goeppner

I sell robotic welding equipment, but I am a robot guy not a welding guy. I work with welding guys however - and just talked to a colleague about my own 110V welder issues.

I told him that another friend said to use the smallest flux core wire WITH the CO2/ARGON for a home hobbyist to get good results.

He said that the real answer is to change the polarity of the welder to negative (for flux core) even if using solid MIG wire and gas. The negative setting gives less penetration and results in cleaner welds and less blow through on thin material.

This is probably the real reason that I have found flux core to be easier than gas so far - I am changing the polarity when I switch to the flux cored wire!

AJ Mail

If you have the gas it makes no sense to use flux core wire - its more expensive amd the welds not so clean
Art Pearse

Yes, but the gas was not working as well as I thought it should - I actually get better welds with flux core, with or without gas. It may be that my regulator does not flow enough gas to make it work well - but then, gas is expensive.
AJ Mail

I'm with Art, you shouldn't need gas when using flux core wire. Be sure you have the correct regulator for the argon/CO2, its special for that gas mix.

G Goeppner

This thread was discussed between 14/03/2010 and 22/03/2010

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