How different can it be? (Welding Wire)

There's probably a simple answer for this, but how different can welding wire be between 2 manufacturers? I mean a 10lb spool of Lincoln wire at the Home Depot is something like $40. HF has a 10lb spool for $20! How different can it be? Could one have less conductivity than the other?

 

I've had the HF stuff before (I was in a pinch) and it rusted from moisture in the air (I live in a desert) before I finished the roll, but it welded ok beforehand.

 

There can be a big difference from what I understand. It's all in the quality of the metal used in the wire...purity I guess you could call it.

 

It actually has a huge difference. The purity of the filler metal varies and that is what you are paying for. There are huge differences if it is a flux coded wire also there are so many different variables it is unreal more often then not in filler metal the more expensive the better. Having been a welder for the navy to over 10 years I would not purchase from Either place but from a reputible weld shop supplier

 

I don't think conductivity is the issue. It's the alloy. The HF Chinese stuff is probably just whatever random wire that they had lying around. With the Lincoln, you know what you're getting, what it's rated and designed to do. If all you're doing is exhaust or bicycle repairs, I'm sure the HF stuff is OK

 

Its the same difference in the quality of the steel wire, and the coating. Like the difference between a wrench from HF and a wrench from Snap-on, obviously there will be a difference.Also usually you can modify a HF tool to work decent, its gonna be hard to modify the wire.

 

Ha! I do have a barbacue grill to repair....

I guess it makes sense. Total sense actually. But damn! I was hoping for a "its not so different, its worth saving the extra cash" response. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

There is just certain things I will not take a chance with and the welding wire is one of them !
I have used a lot of HF stuff and has worked fine , but when I want to weld something I want it to last and be safe .
I have a Lincoln welder so I use their brand . I would use any good name brand if I had to .

 

Lincoln wire is holding the frame of my truck together, I'd have no qualms about trusting that. HF? Not so much. Chinese metal is garbage

 

I bet that lincoln wire is Chinese as well, haha.

I wouldn't trust the HF stuff either.

Norton

 

Actually, the roll of lincoln wire I have in my welder right now was made in the USA. I buy my wire from a welding supply company, its actually cheaper then buying it at the local farm store, by quite a bit. Gene

 

Flux core or solid wire.Thats usually the price difference.

 

Both are solid. No flux-cored **** here. That stuff is for farmers.

 

That's great to hear!
I go to the same welding outfit that made dad has used forever.
Good people with good prices.

Norton

 

Apparently you haven't been in a farm shop in a while.

 

There are huge differences in welding wire, the quality of it and its attributes. Too much for me to get into here, but honestly, using cheap wire, is kinda like using cheap paint, sometimes you can get away with it, more times than not it will just cause fits and frustration.

 

Kinda like chinese chrome. It seems like a good deal at the time, till a month in the elements and it starts to rust and peel!

 

The HF **** doesn't hold tolerance either. It can vary in diameter and either jam or be too thin.

 

Maybe you just need to learn to run it? It's actually a pretty hot, "digging" weld.

I find that LOTS of people rag on flux core.... and a lot of them that I've talked to failed to realize the differences when you remember to change the polarity for gasless, or run gas (C-25) on dual shield.

Saying that "flux core" is **** is kinda telling though, because there are multiple types of flux core wire.

Just remember that next time you're looking up at beams above your head at a shopping center, baseball stadium, etc. Chances are a LOT of that was welded with... well.... you can probably figure that one out.

 

when it comes to welding wire its best to buy the good stuff you will be happy with it

 

Oh, and on topic, I recommend Murex wire. Seems to lay out nicely. They have some really nice 030 fast freeze stuff that I've really had good luck with. Doesn't wash *quite* as well, but it has its place.

 

A couple of months ago, I purchased a 10 lb roll of Lincoln (about $40) from Atwoods (local farm type store). It was made in China. A week or so later I was in HF and noticed the exact same wire (.035 solid) was made in Italy and was $20.

I would prefer to buy US made stuff from the weld supply though.

 

Been welding a ton with the new machine...........decided to practice with the Flux core that came with it since I had never used the stuff. Done everything from 20g to 1/4" to thicker. Other than the splatter it welds like a charm. set the machine right and run your p***. I am impressed. Ready to hook up my tank and save the flux core for that night when my gas runs out or that outside or dirty job that the flux core is better suited for. I know I am a better welder for playing with it instead of just calling it ****, but this is in a 220 machine not the cheapos folks ask about here all the time.

As for the actual Q, buy from a welding supply if at all possible. For consumables, do like us ranch folk 25 miles out, always have a spare or 3!

 

Rosie O'Donnel and Jessica Simpson... both women... how different could they be?

 

Been welding a ton with the new machine...........decided to practice with the Flux core that came with it since I had never used the stuff. Done everything from 20g to 1/4" to thicker. Other than the splatter it welds like a charm. set the machine right and run your p***. I am impressed. Ready to hook up my tank and save the flux core for that night when my gas runs out or that outside or dirty job that the flux core is better suited for. I know I am a better welder for playing with it instead of just calling it ****, but this is in a 220 machine not the cheapos folks ask about here all the time.

Finally, someone that has taken the time and effort to learn to run flux core. I have run, literally, miles of flux core on the LA Metro system and other large projects. If you know how to run it, it is second to none. There is some splatter, but most will come off with a wire brush or by raking it with your chipping hammer. It's good stuff, designed for industry, not the homeowner as some believe.

 

I have run the flux core and prefer to run it on heavier material. All it takes is a wire brush to remove the "slag" if your machine is set right.
As far as the HF regular wire, I run it all of the time and have had no problems with it. It is cheaper and runs the same as any of the rest of it in my opinion.
Robert

 

Oh, Billy, Billy, Billy, ya think you'd know by now........

 

Ive welded stuff with the HF wire, works great!

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164822

 

A 10 pound roll for $40 isn't that bad when you consider how long it last. If it's the cash layout that hurts, do a weld job for a neighbor and let them pay for the roll. Remember the old adage "you get what you pay for".