Wire gauge of HF MIG 170 OEM torch

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Does anyone know the gauge of the power wire used in the standard mig gun?  I'd rather not rip it open to find out it's not printed on the wire.
Reply:Most mig gun power cables have no jacket on them to tell you the amperage rating. It's all about how many copper strands and the strand diameter. Most will handle 150 amps just fine and more if you don't mind the torch getting hot. The 170 probably has a 180 amp power cable inside. There are other things you can do to cool the Gun if that's the issue.Thermal Arc 320SP ( Lorch )Cobra PythonsThermal Arc 300 AC/DC  ( Sanrex )ESAB 301i AC/DC  ( Lorch )Thermal Arc 161STL  ( WTL )Thermal Arc 190S  ( Sanrex )Cut Master 82, 42. Cut45 ( WTL )Victor Gas Apps.Boxes and boxes of welding crap.
Reply:I have one and looks like 6 gauge like ground.I replaced my ground with a 4 gauge but lift gun as isThe duty cycle at 100% is about 50 amps so a 6 gauge will work.The wings will handle more but other parts will not handle more at 100%. Dave

Originally Posted by JC_Phoenix

Does anyone know the gauge of the power wire used in the standard mig gun?  I'd rather not rip it open to find out it's not printed on the wire.
Reply:Here is a chart for duty cycle for the Harbor freight 170DaveDuty cycle at.          Amps100% @ Amps4997% @ Amps5067% @ Amps60        60% @ Amps 6449% @ Amps7038% @ Amps8024% @ Amps100        20% @ 110 amps17% @ Amps 12012% @ Amps 1409.5% @ Amps160

Originally Posted by JC_Phoenix

Does anyone know the gauge of the power wire used in the standard mig gun?  I'd rather not rip it open to find out it's not printed on the wire.
Reply:Thanks for the input.  The torch says "TT 180" on it, so I'm assuming it's either the same as the one on the 180 machine, or is rated for 180A, or perhaps both.  Seems like a better quality torch gun would be a better focus for upgrade, then.
Reply:

Originally Posted by JC_Phoenix

Thanks for the input.  The torch says "TT 180" on it, so I'm assuming it's either the same as the one on the 180 machine, or is rated for 180A, or perhaps both.  Seems like a better quality torch gun would be a better focus for upgrade, then.
Reply:The first owner of my MIG-180 upgraded it to a 10 ft gun. I'm not sure adding a longer cable was an improvement because the motor isn't very strong. I keep the welder on a little dolly near the floor with the cable laid straight over to where I'm welding, to get smooth wire feed. The welder up on my workbench with the cable draped to the floor didn't work very well. I wouldn't spend the money on a longer cable unless the gun is unsatisfactory and you really need to upgrade that.These black HF welders just are what they are, sufficient but not the equal of a more expensive unit. I think throwing more money at it would be better spent on HF's later models or on a used commercial-grade unit.I'm cheap, I'll stay with my $50 MIG-180 for my occasional farm repairs. Everything I've ever welded has stayed welded.  'Good enough for the girls I go with'.

HF MIG-180 with all the mods.Grizzly H8153 Stick/Tig Pulse 130/160.Wards PowrKraft AC-230. Stick & carbon arc.
Reply:I keep mine my it works great.Odd's are the will work very good.There are 6 foot guns too.If I replaced my gun it would be 10 foot long.Dave

Originally Posted by California

The first owner of my MIG-180 upgraded it to a 10 ft gun. I'm not sure adding a longer cable was an improvement because the motor isn't very strong. I keep the welder on a little dolly near the floor with the cable laid straight over to where I'm welding, to get smooth wire feed. The welder up on my workbench with the cable draped to the floor didn't work very well. I wouldn't spend the money on a longer cable unless the gun is unsatisfactory and you really need to upgrade that.These black HF welders just are what they are, sufficient but not the equal of a more expensive unit. I think throwing more money at it would be better spent on HF's later models or on a used commercial-grade unit.I'm cheap, I'll stay with my $50 MIG-180 for my occasional farm repairs. Everything I've ever welded has stayed welded.  'Good enough for the girls I go with'.