time to try new wire

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So I just burned through my first roll of wire on my Hobart ironman 230. It was .035 size. I weld mostly 1/8" to 1/4" stuff. Will I see much difference switching to a .030 size other than turning up the heat and wire speed. Also there are some eBay guys that are priced 1/2 of Home Depot is,is wire quality close enough to each other for a home welder? Thanks
Reply:I like the 030 wires the best, may be just me. My 180c and the Thermal arc 210 both seem to do well with it, and it allows you to get down to the smallest gauge metal also without changing wire, and it does 1/4 really well. Home Depot has a good price on Lincoln wire here in Texas, $33. we also have Atwoods farm supplies stores that are about $32 for the Lincoln 10lb. I just tried a roll from HTP, very good wire too.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:If you're a hobbyist, you can't go wrong with "bargain" wire (unless you get a bad batch from Hazard Fraught, LOL).  For mig I use Radnor simply because it's cheaper and I don't do anything structural.  For tig, a lot of my wire is Radnor, some house-brand from weldingsupply.com, some Harris ER80SD2, Supermissle Weld, Blue Demon 308/309L.  Can't say it won't do the job for hobby automotive type stuff. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:[Quote Crete ]...It was .035 size. I weld mostly 1/8" to 1/4" stuff. Will I see much difference switching to a .030 size other than turning up the heat and wire speedI'm confused.  you do know that 0.035" is larger than 0.030" and 0.023" is the smallest or did I miss something.....smaller the wire lower the heat/amps....larger the wire higher the heat/amps....Measure with a micrometre, mark with chalk,  cut with a torch.Never force anything...just get a bigger hammer.RoyOld Airco buzz box approx 1974Lincoln mig pack 15Lincoln 175 square wave1954 9" south bend lathe
Reply:Thought maybe I had to turn up the wire speed to deposit more material? My bad on turning up the heat.
Reply:Originally Posted by CreteThought maybe I had to turn up the wire speed to deposit more material? My bad on turning up the heat.