Q&A topic

Consumables: 8 questions answered

• What MIG wire size should I use?

  Use 0.9 mm MIG wire for most Australian hobby and light-trade steel work: it runs well 1.5–6 mm. Drop to 0.6–0.8 mm for thin sheet…

• Which stick rods should I buy?

  Buy 2.6 mm general-purpose rods (E4813/Australian 'general purpose' class) for learning and thin work, and 3.2 mm low-hydrogen-sty…

• Which tungsten for TIG welding?

  Use 2% lanthanated (blue) tungsten for almost everything in a modern inverter: DC steel/stainless and AC aluminium. Size to amps: …

• When do I replace my MIG contact tip?

  Replace your MIG contact tip when feeding becomes erratic, the arc wanders or the tip's bore is visibly ovalled or spatter-welded …

• How do I clean a MIG liner?

  Pull the liner, blow it out with compressed air, feed a liner-cleaning felt pellet through if you have one, check for kinks, and r…

• How should I store my welder and consumables?

  Store welders dry and dust-covered (a bin liner does the job), rods sealed and off concrete, wire in their bags with desiccant, an…

• Does Bunnings sell argon gas cylinders for MIG welding?

  VERIFIED TRUE: “Bunnings sells refillable argon or argon/CO₂ cylinders for MIG welding.” — rated True after two-pass adversarial v…

• Does thicker welding wire mean stronger welds?

  MYTH BUSTED: “Thicker welding wire always produces stronger welds.” — rated False after two-pass adversarial verification against …