.023 vs .025 Mig wire

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 10:11 pm
Is there much difference between .023 and .025 when it comes to 20ga and thinner metal?

I am currently running .025 Lincoln wire and was wondering if its worth going to a thinner wire to prevent blow through on a thinner gauge metal.

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 10:39 pm
In terms of size/performance I believe they are essentially the same; the .025 is a US standard and .023 is more often used in Europe. However, they do make an "EZ Grind" wire in .023 that not only is easier to grind than normal wire but is also more "workable" and less likely to crack. Given the option I'd use the EZ Grind if you can find it otherwise I don't believe there is much noticeable difference between the two.



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PostPosted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 6:59 am
I have sure had a hard time finding this Esab wire. Anyone know who would mail out 2 lbs?



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PostPosted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 9:33 am
My local welding supply was able to order it, make sure you get .025 or .023 for sheet metal.

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 9:59 am
I just ordered 11# spool of EZ Grind here https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/einst ... ND:130PS43

Say's it "usually ships today" so I'm assuming it's in stock. Haven't received shipping confirm yet so don't know if they actually have it. They didn't have 2# spools as an option.

That said, if somebody can recommend a way to spool off some wire, I'd be happy to split it up as I'll never use 11#. Not sure if it would create a "bird's nest" though and I don't have any empty spools to transfer to.

USAWeld.com sells 2# spools of Silicone Bronze wire that is supposed to be a good alternative to EZ Grind but it requires straight AR shielding gas, which I don't have. http://www.usaweld.com/023-Silicon-Bron ... /58223.htm



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PostPosted: Wed May 04, 2016 8:32 pm
I've used the EZ grind and haven't noticed mush of a difference. I think if you just use a 36 grit flap disk on an angle grinder it will grind smooth very fast no matter what type wire is used.



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PostPosted: Thu May 05, 2016 6:35 am
cgrutt wrote:In terms of size/performance I believe they are essentially the same; the .025 is a US standard and .023 is more often used in Europe. However, they do make an "EZ Grind" wire in .023 that not only is easier to grind than normal wire but is also more "workable" and less likely to crack. Given the option I'd use the EZ Grind if you can find it otherwise I don't believe there is much noticeable difference between the two.

That is the main advantage to using EZ Grind

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