What size wire should i be using in my Mig welder?

Question

I am starting to learn some welding on my own.I just bought a small 130amp mig welder a while back to try out my welding technique.So far i stink!LOL! I am not using a shielding gas but using flux core wire.What size wire should i be using? I have been practicing with .030. How do i know what size i need? Is .030 a good all round size? I dont know squat about welding but i want to learn more.

Yeah Yeah i know you pros out there are saying "your welders too small" or "you need to be using a shielding gas".OK fine but i'm just learning! Let me start small and work my way up! :)

Answer 1

most used wire around is .8 .9 mm .3 is fine fore welding tissue paper  if your gap filling 1.2 mm i use these size wires only and is the only ones i used at work very fine wire like.3mm is your problem try  it and dont be afraid to adjust settingsa mig should have a sweet crackle to it (ps dont breath in the fumes thems a killer)  

Answer 2

yeah thats perfect to be workin with. adjust the heat and wire speed as you need to play with it but you cant do to thick of a metal with that its more of a body panel thikness but it can do some a little thicker just play with it on a couple of scrap peices to get it down.

Answer 3

i normally use 0.6 and 0.8 for heaver work....but the tips need changed.

Answer 4

I guess .030 is fine. I use .023 in mine.