[Shotimes] My welding experience...

[Donald Mallinson]

Kevin,

I know your advice about wire is good, but I am an exception 
to that rule.  I bought a huge roll of wire with my Miller 
welder and that was about 10-12 years ago!  I still have 
well over half that roll left and it is in perfect shape.

My garage is dry and heated in the winter (about 38 degrees 
most of the time just enough to prevent condensation and 
freezing) and cooled in the summer on the hottest days. 
That probably has something to do with it.

When I mentioned this (old roll of wire) to my local welding 
supply store, they were amazed.  I will probably take your 
(and their) advice next time though and buy a smaller roll, 
expecially since I don't use the welder that much.

Just thought you might like to hear about the big roll that 
worked!  :)

Don Mallinson
PS Kirk used this welder and wire for several cam welds 
during the camfest at my place a year or so ago, and he had 
no problems at all.

Kevin & Cheryl Airth wrote:

> Buy the small spools of wire. Mig welding wire is copper plated steel. The
> longer you have a spool the more corrosion builds on the wire. Again this
> WILL degrade your weld and it's NOT obvious. Remember that you must have a
> complete circuit for electric welding to work so corrosion in any part of
> the circuit will mess up things. Everyone wants a big spool because it's
> cheaper but I ONLY use the small 2 lb. spools. Don't buy a lot of wire and
> keep what you have in a plastic big. Most wire now comes in sealed plastic.
> Leave it that way until you are ready to use it.