mig wire for tig welding steel

[steve1989]

i have some mig wire (lincoln super arc l 56) can i use it as filler for tig welding steel?

[Rus T1]

Yes. If you are making an open butt weld, just remember to keep your gap tight and your amps low. For fillet welds, just keep in mind that you will be feeding a lot wire because of the diameter of the wire you are using.

[performance]

Generally, yes, it shouldn't be a problem, especially if the TIG wire has an equivalent number assigned to it.

[steve1989]

how much cfh of argon do you reccomend?

[Rus T1]

how much cfh of argon do you reccomend?

I would think that 15 to 20

[cornonda]

I routinely use MIG wire for TIG on thin gauge sheet steel. Works well and isn't the nightmare that wrecks your puddle like 1/16" is. I'm sure it's mentioned here on the board elsewhere, but if you need a thicker diameter, you can double it over and make a "rod" with your drill & a vise.

[Mr120]

I routinely use MIG wire for TIG on thin gauge sheet steel. Works well and isn't the nightmare that wrecks your puddle like 1/16" is. I'm sure it's mentioned here on the board elsewhere, but if you need a thicker diameter, you can double it over and make a "rod" with your drill & a vise.

Just remember to keep the mig wire off of the floor when you do this to avoid contaminating the metal.

[cornonda]

Just remember to keep the mig wire off of the floor when you do this to avoid contaminating the metal.

Good point, Mr120. I developed the habit of wiping filler rod before I use it, to help reduce potential contamination.

[Mr120]

Good point, Mr120. I developed the habit of wiping filler rod before I use it, to help reduce potential contamination.

That's definitely a good habit to have. It is infinitely more difficult to thoroughly wipe down a filler rod made of twisted mig wire!

[youngnstudly]

I use the .035" MIG wire when doing sheet metal work (automotive sheet metal repairs and such). Wiping any wire down that comes off a spool is a good idea. A lot of times I forget to wipe off the "normal" TIG wire that I buy at the LWS, but it is a good practice that I am trying to get in the habit of doing! Obviously if you're welding really thin material, you'll want to get that tungsten sharpened to a needle point, otherwise you can wind 2 or 3 strands of MIG wire together to produce a thicker welding rod for heavier material as others (above) have mentioned.