Mig wire size what is its MAX CURRENT

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I read somewhere on this site about the size of the solid mig wire and the maximum number of amps you can run through that wire before its to much current.  I guess standand mig wire for normal 1/8-1/4 material is .035 right... Correct me if Im wrong.Now, reason for asking is im thinking about getting a Lincoln 350mp. However, will i have to have two different wire sizes to utilize this machine.  I would like a good all around wire size for welding anywhere from 14ga up to 3/8".  But if I crank it up to do 1/2" will this size wire work for me?
Reply:i run .035 all the time in my mig.  If i need to thinner stuff i just tig weld it.  Switching drive rolls around and wire spools is just a pain in the a*s.  Not to mention i dont like losing 12ft of wire every time i change rolls.  What can i say, im cheap.
Reply:I was just making sure the .035 can handle the 350amp machine. I though it might be to much current, like i said i read it on a post somewhere here but can't find it.
Reply:to be honest, i dont know.  someone else will chime in
Reply:According to Lincoln, the unit will run .023-.045 solid wire and .035-.045 Flux core wire.You are well in the capacity on the machine with .035 wire. I would most likely load .030 solid for the thickness you listed but you can make it work with .035 solid wire. .035 FC would be fine at the thicknesses you listed. BTW you will most likely never weld those thicknesses at 350 amps!http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...t.aspx?p=18685It's amazing the info you can find if you look on the mfg's web site and plug in the model #.
Reply:Originally Posted by drivethruboy54 Not to mention i dont like losing 12ft of wire every time i change rolls.  What can i say, im cheap.
Reply:Originally Posted by Static-XJCut the end of the wire off at the tip, release the drive tension, and turn the spool backwards to wind the wire back onto the spool.
Reply:If you go to the esab site and look up their wire, they kind of max out at 300 ipm.  You WILL need different size wires for different jobs.  I only change wire sizes when I have to.  I also have more than one feeder with different size wires in them..045 wire 1 ipm = 1 amp.035 wire 1.6 ipm = 1 amp.030 wire 2 ipm = 1 amp.If you are running .045 wire at 300 ipm, your are welding!  Sure .035 is an all purpose, but do you only have one size stick electrode?I need .030 for one job and usually burn up a spool or two for that job.  Its mostly 1/8" plate.Another job was the bucket teeth.  .045 all the way.  2 or 3  33lb spools.It all depends on your job.I think you are going to like that machine.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Before I retired I had a 450 amp Miller power source and if I remember right the wire feeder was capable of 750 inches per minute. I've forgotten the model numbers over the years. The controls on both machines were in percents. I never checked to see what amps .035 wire which was what I used could stand. I would just turn up the amps and wire speed and see what happened. I do remember that the highest percentage I ever used on the power source was 96% and don't remember what the feeder was set at. The weld quality was always the same with whatever amp setting I was using. 96 percent should have been 432 amps. I used that setting welding firetubes to flanges which is basically a flat fillet. I had to set it up on a table because if it was on the floor I couldn't crawl fast enough to keep up with the rate of deposit. I don't think you will have any trouble with .035 wire on the 350.
Reply:i prefer to use .045 solid wireChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:Here´s a good chart. Attached ImagesMy Babies: HF Drill pressHF Pipe Bender3   4.5" Black and Decker angle grindersLincoln Electric PROMIG 175that´s it!