Mig wire types?

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I went to the local Airgas to get some ESAB easy grind, and the salesman told me they only had 50lb spools of it, but that it was the same as Harris Welco E70S6, and Easy Grind was just ESAB's brand name for E70S6 wire.  This made me realize I didn't have a clue what the different types of wires were.I've been searching for information on the various Mig wire types, but every variation of searches I've tried either returns nothing, a bunch of very technical details about one specific wire, or thousands of "solid wire is to be used with gas, flux core is used without gas" explanations.  What I want to know is what is the difference between the types of solid wires.  Is E70S6 the same as ESAB Easy Grind, as the salesman told me?  What about all the other compunds of wires?  What do those numbers and letters mean?  What do I want to use for which application?  Why doesn't inflamable mean what I think it should mean?Thanks,Patrick
Reply:ER70S-*ElectrodeRod70K yield strengthSolid-2, -3, -6 indicates the amount of deoxidizer in the wire. the higher the number, the higher the content. ER70S-6 is the most commonly used solid wire. The higher amount of deoxidizers make it more forgiving when it comes to impurities in the base metal.As far as the easy grind goes, I've never used it so I couldn't tell you if it's the same as ER70S-6.Hope that helps.- Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:A wire can fall under a particular class and still be proprietarily different.  Different ER70S-6 wires from different manufacturers (or sometimes different lots) will run differently.I do not know the class of wire that EasyGrind is, nor have I personally used it.  I've only heard its reputation of being the best wire to use on sheet metal that requires lots of grinding.  Those who use it swear by it.  It may be a class ER70S-6, but it can still be unique.Here's a thread with some info: http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...d.php?p=228701
Reply:Things like "ER70S-6," "ER70S-2," and "ER80S-2" are AWS (American Welding Society) filler classifications (see ZTFab's post to tell what each letter/digit means). To be classified under a given AWS classification the filler must have certain mechanical properties and it's alloying elements must fall within certain ranges.The boards that define what and how much of each element that can go into each classification of filler almost always include representatives from the companies that actually manufacture the filler (ESAB, Harris, Lincoln, etc.).It's important for the manufacturers that their filler is classified, otherwise it's can't be used on code jobs and they don't make money. However, each manufacturer has it's own special "recipes" for each filler that they guard very closely (especially on flux and metal-cored fillers).To keep from giving away too much to competitors, the people on the boards work to make the allowable ranges of elements in each classification as wide as possible. This is why two brands of filler, both marked "ER70S-6," can have very different characteristics (such as ease of grinding). Also, each manufacturer may sell several filler materials that all fit under a given classification, ESAB's Spoolarc 82 and Spoolarc 29S are both classified as ER70S-3.I'll make an analogy involving automobiles: Think of the classification as the same as calling an automobile a "car," "truck," or "SUV." For example, a Ford Ranger and a Dodge Ram 2500 would both be classified as trucks while still being very different from each other.Finally the ESAB Easy Grind is not, technically, classified as ER70S filler. However, according to ESAB, its tensile strength exceeds the 70ksi required for the ER70S wires (not that that is a special achievement, 70ksi. isn't much for a GMAW weld, most ER70S wires exceed 70ksi anyway).Visit Tensaiteki.com
Reply:Easy Grind will meet the strength requirements for the classification, but it has no classification. It also doesn't have any impact properties. It is just a good sheetmetal wire and not much else.The salse dude should actually know what he is talking about. Spoolarc 86 is Esab's S-6 wire...not EG for crying outloud.  Really makes him look like an idiot.
Reply:I have used easygrind.  It does as it says.  NOT like other ER70S-6 wires.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks, everyone.  I just noticed my receipt from Airgas has a $3.50 hazardous materials charge added to my purchase of one spool of wire, so the salesman was a moron on two different levels (I paid with a $20 before he said how much it was, and I just grabbed my change and left).  I won't be going back there.
Reply:Originally Posted by PatrickJThanks, everyone.  I just noticed my receipt from Airgas has a $3.50 hazardous materials charge added to my purchase of one spool of wire, so the salesman was a moron on two different levels (I paid with a $20 before he said how much it was, and I just grabbed my change and left).  I won't be going back there.
Reply:Hmm, sounds familiar.  Not pointing any fingers at gas suppliers or anything..Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.