Welding wire???

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Hello everyone. I am very new to welding. Always wanted to learn but never had the means. So I bought a welding machine yesterday. It's an old "white faced" Miller Dialarc 250. I have looked around a while, and read that these machines are pretty much bulletproof. I feel like I got a good deal on it. I paid $300.00 for it. The store says that they tested it, and will gauruntee the machine mechanically for 30 days after purchase. The only thing is that the machine does not come with leads. I am okay with that, because I was going to measure my shop and get leads that are long enough to accomodate my needs anyway. My question is, what size wire would I need, and does anyone know the best source for welding wire? I have been told #2, #1, & also 1/0.
Reply:Hmmm, I'm not familiar with those sizes... maybe they are machine specific?  Is it a MIG?  When I'm doing heavier projects, I will use 0.40 or 0.35, but I rarely do those so my machine runs 0.30 wire in it all the time now.Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:He's refering to the size of the cable on a stick machine.Here's a chart that may help.http://www.pacificcabling.com/Specia...rage_chart.htmOne thing, I like to do on my machines, I hooked tweeco connectors to the machine and have a short light stinger (#2) and ground that I use all the time. The lengths are about 15' each. Between this and the machine I can hook in as many lengths as I need. I managed to pick up a couple of large 2/0 cables that had a few bad spots. ( I don't need the heavy cable, but I got a good deal on it) I cut them down to about 25 foot lengths and put the tweeco's on both ends. This lets me store the cables easily and only work with the minimum amount required. I can also add more if needed easily..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:The size of the leads needed depends on the length of the leads and the welding current used.  Longer and more current means bigger (smaller number) leads are needed.Nice chart find DSW.  One can also get the same kind of information on most of the welding manufacturers' websites and in the manuals for the welding machines.Also good idea about running 'smaller' whips at the ends and then having connectors to add whatever lengths of appropriate lead is needed for the task at hand.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:DUH!  I shouldn't post so early in the morning LOL!.  Sorry... I totally had a special moment there!  And yes, the longer the leads the thicker the cable should be.  Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:2/0 will be plenty enough cable size for that Dialarc up to 150' (75' run each way).MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Lincoln S6-.030 or .035 is pretty standard welding wire
Reply:Originally Posted by fab119Lincoln S6-.030 or .035 is pretty standard welding wire
Reply:I'd just run 1/0 at the most...unless you really think you will be running high amperage stick. I run #1 on my 300a stick/TIG. At 25', they can handle it and I have yet to even get the thing above 175a anyway. Really, lead size all depends on what you intend to do...now and in the future.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS