Upgraded to a larger welder, need advice on wire...

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Sold my HH 175 a couple months ago, ordered a Miller 252 from my lws. They gave me a 33lb spool of .045 Excel Arc 71 after the purchase to try out, but I was wondering what would be a good all around GMAW wire in the .035 size? Also, a friend of mine that is a long time welder, advises that I do not get a copper coated wire. Any reason to avoid it? He didnt say other than "they" had problems...I currently have an 80cf bottle of C25 and a 80cf Argon. I wanted to get a bottle of 90/10 Argon/Co2 to try spray transfer but was told that it was only available in 333cf bottles. They did offer to sell me a 333cf bottle of 90/10 for $250, it would last me a long time so i am still debating, plus I will own instead of renting. Are there any other uses of 90/10 besides spray?I have mostly only ran fluxcore, Fabshield 21, Lincoln 211 etc... I have spent very little time welding with solid core on the old machine, and have only used spray on a friends machine a couple of times. Thanks for any and all advice!
Reply:Lots of guys like lincoln L-56.  It never really agreed with me.  I usually end up with Radnor ER70S-6 and 75/25 gas.  "do not get copper coated wire".  Umm....all the solid wire I've seen has been copper coated.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Look for a different gas supplier.  I use a fire extinguisher company.  They will mix me any gas I want in any bottle I want.  The price just changes and is way lower than any LWS or Airgas.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Well, I'm sure you can tell which wire  I'd recommend.   L-56 SUPERARC!!!! Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:You can buy uncoated wire, but I've only ever seen it packaged in bulk containers, like 600lb drums.  There's no good reason I'm aware of to use un-coated wire; and for a hobbyist un coated wire is more likely to be ruined by rust before you can use it up.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:The 252 ships with liner and drive rolls for .035 and .030 wire.  You will need different liner and rolls for .045.MillerMatic 252, HTP 221 w/cooler, Hypertherm PM45, Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC"I'd like to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible"
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcWell, I'm sure you can tell which wire  I'd recommend.   L-56 SUPERARC!!!!
Reply:Can you exchange the spool of .045?  I liked the Hobart wire that was made in Italy, but I don't know if its still available....that being said I use about 50-60lbs of the .17 cents lb .035 Chinese wire and find it works just as good and anything else.  I do not like the .023 Chinese wire and find the Lincoln .025 seems to provide more consistent feeding and arc characteristics....but, that might be my setup....I am using a MM 250 with a 15ft Bernard gun with an 035 liner.
Reply:Does your LWS have any 85/15?  That'll allow you to run short-arc or spray transfer mode.