How do I know its time for a new MIG tip?

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I've searched around and can't find anything specifically pertaining to imperfections in your MIG gun tip.What do you look for in your tip? Is there any specific little tests to be done to make sure its still good?I am not having any issues with mine, but eventually i am sure il have to change it.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrooklynBravestI've searched around and can't find anything specifically pertaining to imperfections in your MIG gun tip.What do you look for in your tip? Is there any specific little tests to be done to make sure its still good?I am not having any issues with mine, but eventually i am sure il have to change it.
Reply:I realize when it gets worn out... but what would be a clear sign of wear? Just the tips opening not being smooth and tight anymore?
Reply:think of it as the crown of a gun. if the opening is worn, damaged, or deformed, or full of dingleberries, you might want to replace it. If you are careful while cleaning it and use the tip dip to keep dingles from collecting, you can use them for a long time. I have had one  a week, then another for a couple years. (it helps not to drop 400# of steel on them.You can post a pic and I could give you my "expert" opinion on it. Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:If you can see that the hole in the contact tip is not round, then it's time for a new tip.  If you can feel the filler metal wire dragging/rasping/vibrating through the gun handle when welding, take the tip off and see if the problem goes away.  If so, replace the contact tip.If the wire burns back and melts the end of the contact tip, replace it.  Even if you can break the wire loose, odds are that there are burrs or damage to the end of the tip that will negatively affect welding performance.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:When you can't find the one that was in it previously.
Reply:I was always told when the arc starts to sputter intermittently, despite having the correct wire speed, it is probably time for a new contact tip.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I was always told when the arc starts to sputter intermittently, despite having the correct wire speed, it is probably time for a new contact tip.
Reply:I have a Q gun and for hobby use, they seem to last forever provided you don't melt from a burn back.  The Centerfire tips are pretty beefy.  Even when they look cruddy, a quick chamfer with a slightly larger drill bit cleans them nicely.  Then again, when I tried Aluminum mig with no Spoolgun on a miller m20 gun, I went through 10 tips in less than an hour.
Reply:Drilling out the contact tip works occasionally for low current welding.  For your hobby welding, it's OK.  But for high current, high wire feed speed work, you've got to have a good contact tip or you're just asking for trouble.  IT's a huge issue for mechanized, robotic, high speed welding.  It's also a big deal for high current (300+ amps) high deposition rate welding work.  Using worn or damaged contact tips can be a big issue for self-shielded flux-cored wires and for running stainless steel, monel, or inconel wire.  These are hard to weld with and worn out equipment only makes the work more difficult.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector