MIG stands for metal inert gas and is a type of arc welding for joining metals where a continuous solid electrode is passed through the MIG welding gun to the weld pool. To keep the weld from contamination, inert gases are fed through the gun. One of the benefits for choosing MIG welding is its simplicity of use. You can use MIG for welding metals of a gauge of between 24 to ½ inches thick.
For you to succeed in MIG welding then you need to use the very best ER70S 6 wire. Manufacturers market various wire types each promising outstanding results. It can be challenging sifting through the chatter – especially if you are new to welding. This article explores some of the best ER70S 6 wires in the market and we tell you which one is the best.
INEFIL ER70S 6 .030in. MIG wire
This is arguably one of the best MIG wires we have tested. Firstly, you will not experience cases of wire jamming as it is feed into its case. The wire is ideal for pure carbon steel or carbon-manganese steel welds. Due to its tensile strength of 510 MPs it is ideal for single or multi-pass welding applications.
During the welding process you will notice that the INEFIL flows really well hence producing tidy beads while reducing your post welding cleanup. You can use this MIG wire for your construction and automotive projects. The wire is affordable with few cases of cross-wound. The INEFIL MIG wire has low spatter properties and welds effortlessly. It also has minimal sparks and produces seamless beads. It is non-porous.
The wire is more affordable to other wires in its class without compromising on quality. Many welders have been impressed by how smooth the wire is when it is wound in a spool. You do not experience those annoying jerking. When choosing the ideal MIG wire one of the things you need to be on the lookout for is consistency and this wire delivers.
What we liked:
- No spatter
- Affordable and high quality
- Flows well with no jerking
- Produces tidy looking beads
What we did not like:
Some complaints of the copper coating not been enough hence producing some soot
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WeldingCity ER70S-6 MIG welding
One makes this wire outstanding is that its copper coated wire that is packed in a plastic film to keep away moisture. This means you can store it for long without worrying about contamination to the wire. It weighs 11 lbs. and has a wire diameter of 0.0030 inches.
What we liked:
- Each pack has two rolls of wire
- Offers better quality than the more expensive wires
- Feeds smoothly
- Plastic packaging to keep away moisture
What we did not like:
You may find occasional defects in packaging
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Lincoln Electric Co. ER70S-6 MIG
Lincoln has built itself a solid reputation amongst welders for producing high quality products and this wire is no exception. It is smooth to work with no matter the welding heat. The Lincoln wire is made to the highest standards and this helps in reducing spatter.
The downside is you do not have a wide range of wires to choose from besides the 12.5 lbs. size. But, this size still produces amazing bead appearance. The wire feeds well and you will not experience problems unwinding it.
What we liked:
- High quality wire
- Low spatter
- Feeds well
- Produces amazing bead appearance
What we did not like:
Limited to the 12.5 lbs. spool size
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TGB ER70S-6 Mild/low allow MIG wire
If you are looking for a MIG wire with high content of silicon and manganese deoxidizers then this is your wire of choice. The deoxidizers mix when combined with 100% shielding gas enables you to run the weld at higher currents. This produces some smooth beads. You also have minimal post weld cleanup. You can use the TGB wire for any structural plate steel welding or welds that do not contain so much rust oil or mill scale. Your options are also more when it comes to choosing the spool weight and diameters which makes it ideal for a variety of applications.
What we liked:
- Holds its ground against heavy usage
- Contains significant amount of deoxidizers like manganese and silicon
- Leaves a smooth bead
- Little post weld cleanup
What we did not like:
Should have used a wooden spool instead of plastic one to prevent breakages
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If you use high levels of argon like 75% to 25% of carbon dioxide then this is the wire of choice. It contains a significant amount of deodorizers that help keep your weld from contaminants. The wires can also be used with 100% carbon dioxide shielding gas. The feeding of the wire is smooth and you won’t experience any problems unwinding. The wire is affordable and lasts long. In fact one spool will last you three times longer than other wires without compromising on quality.
What we liked:
- Lasts long
- Works well with those having high levels of argon shielding gas
- Has significant amount of deodorizers
- Smooth feeding
What we did not like:
It is heavy
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Hobart H305406-R22 MIG wielding wire
Hobart is well known in the welding community. This wire while not of the highest standard welds dirty steel pretty well. It weighs 10 pounds and this makes it ideal for onsite welding or agricultural purposes. The downside to purchasing the Hobart wire is that the company does a poor job in packaging the wires and so you may find some damaged spools. Also, expect more spatter than other brands we have reviewed.
What we liked:
- Feeds well
- Affordable
- Welds dirty steel well
- Suitability for onsite welding
What we did not like:
More spatter than normal; the packaging is not top-notch you may find some damaged spools
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How to select the right ER70S 6 MIG wire
When it comes to choosing the right MIG weld wire most welders tend to overlook some critical factors. This is because the cost of the wires is not as large as that of the welders. However, wires are designed for specific applications with some offering more spatter than the others. If this is your first time purchasing a MIG wire or are looking for an upgrade, here are some important factors to put into consideration.
Ease of Feed
The ideal wire should be easy to feed. This does not mean they are necessarily expensive they help you avoid the some feeding problems like having the wires jerk due to inconsistencies. The ideal wire should be consistent and feed smoothly. This enables it to produce less spatter for the best welding results. Depending on the quality of the wire it will feed through the roller systems and then come out of the torch nozzle. Cheap wires tend to have poor coating and have irregularities in the welding wire. In winding the best wires are those that have been wounded under pressure; this makes them unravel smoothly. In our review, the wire that is the easiest to feed is the INEFIL ER70S-6 for carbon steel MIG applications.
Spatter
If you are a welder then you have probably encountered spatter. This are small pieces of molten metal that fly out of the weld during fusion. It is imperative that you go for a wire that produces less spatter. This helps you reduce your post weld cleanup.
Wire sizes
MIG wires can in a variety of sizes each designed to suit particular applications. When choosing welding wire it is imperative that you consider your welding machine. Some may not allow certain spool sizes in their spindle while you may also have issues with wire diameter. Your type of welding will also determine the type of wire that you go for. Most welding projects are okay with the 0.0030-inch or 0.0035-inch wire. You will also find wires for to support welding of joints, gauged material or positions. The rule is the thicker your weld the bigger wire diameter you will need. To make savings ensure you buy a large spool that prevents you from constantly visiting the fabrication shop.
Flow
Depending on the type of wire you use the weld pool can change in fluidity as you make attempts to push it along. During welding the wire melts and pushes itself into the joint but some flow through the joint more smoothly than others. The benefit of fluidity is that it helps in removing dirt from the metal surfaces hence keeping the joint clean during welding. In our review on of the wires we found with the best fluidity was the WeldingCity ER70S-6 MIG mild steel welding wire. The wire flows smoothly along the joint during welding and you have less cases of snagging.
Conclusion
Choosing the right ER70S-6 MIG wire helps you reduce spatter and improves bead appearance. The weld pool should flow nicely while the wire should be wound well to help in the welding process. Our top pick for this review is the INEFIL ER70S-R MIG wire. We liked the wire because it produces some tidy looking beads and you do not experience any problems with cross-wounding.