stainless mig wire

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i bought some er 308 welding wire today at my lws and i asked for two small spools and they sold me two different kinds.  the ? is one of the spools says er308 on it and the other says er308L on it, what is the difference?  i don't mig stainless very much and i just wanted to have some on my rig just in case.thanks in advance
Reply:Originally Posted by mako463i bought some er 308 welding wire today at my lws and i asked for two small spools and they sold me two different kinds.  the ? is one of the spools says er308 on it and the other says er308L on it, what is the difference?  i don't mig stainless very much and i just wanted to have some on my rig just in case.thanks in advance
Reply:Tri-mix?  I thought stainless was always 100% Argon?  Or maybe I'm thinking of GTAW?MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2Tri-mix?  I thought stainless was always 100% Argon?  Or maybe I'm thinking of GTAW?
Reply:Just goes to show ya how much I need to learn!!!! Thanks OMS, I learned something new today.  I really appreciate it.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:thank you oms  i really have learned a lot from this website.  i wish my welding instructor woul go on this site. ha ha
Reply:Pretty much what OMS said about the gas used, except the further caveat is to read the label as to what the PARTICULAR wire is supposed to use.GMAW short-circuit transfer with stainless wire often uses tri-mix.But GMAW spray transfer with stainless steel often uses 98-2 Ar-O2.And cored wires for stainless, except for self-shielded which doesn't use gas,  could use anything from 100% CO2 to C25 (75% argon and 25% CO2) or 98-2 Ar-O2 or something else.  You have to read the label/manual.And GTAW for almost everything uses plain 100% argon, except in some cases and argon-helium mix is used for more heat/energy.And again as OMS said, 308 is 'regular' 308 wire for use on 'regular' 304 stainless and such, and 308L is the low-carbon variant for use on low-carbon 304L.  Note that some (many/most?) 308 wire is dual-rated as 308/308L and can usually be used for either in most circumstances.If your wire spools are both the same brand, I'd say there is a good chance that they are the same dual-rated 308/308L wire and the labels are just confusing.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:http://www.weldreality.com/MIG_welding_gases.htmA butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug