Easy Grind Wire

[Ted Zombek]

Hello,

Does anyone know where I can find "Easy Grind" MIG wire. I read about this somewere and it sounds like a good way to keep warping to a minimum when grinding welds on 22 gage patch panels.

Also, Which is better, .023 or .030 for light gage stuff?

Thanks for your help!

Ted

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Hi Ted,

I tried some ESAB Easy Grind a couple years back. It is more expensive than normal wire and I honestly couldn't tell much difference. I went back to normal wire. I use .35. The .23 stuff seemed to jam too often in my small Miller. Probably due more to operator headspace than the wire but the .35 seems to work fine for me.

[Hemirambler]

Hi Ted, Can't help you with the easy grind wire - never tried it - and frankly unless it was very near the price of "regular" wire I wouldn't bother. In my twisted opinion you'd be better off learning to "tweak" your welding approach. When I was doing lots of MIG welding I eventually "got it down" to a point where I could put in beads that were nearly flat and required very little grinding. It's all a function of HEAT, TRAVEL SPEED, TORCH ANGLE, and of course WIRE SPEED. You just gotta practice practice practice :lol:

AS far as the wire - I personally ALWAYS had better luck with .023" on the REAL thin stuff. Only problem with that is you might find your particular welder has it's own preference! Nothing's cast in stone! Some liners are more forgiving for wire size than others (some more or less depending on how much wear they have) - also be sure you use the correct contact tip regardless.

One thing is for certain - GENERALLY SPEAKING.....the CHEAPER the MIG welder is the cheaper the electronics and with that the LESS CONTROL they have at the lower settings. Sounds like the opposite of what you'd expect (in a way) but not if you consider that the electronics play a big part in the mix) basically a "get what you pay for situation"


Well I pretty much strayed off your origional question, but I hope it still helps some.


Good Luck



Jacin in Ohio


SOMB

[rookie]

I inquired at my local Praxair distributor about Easy Grind wire, it was available but the $65 pricetag changed my mind. I got some advice from a member that helped reduce my bead size though, use more heat and less wire speed. If you are attempting to weld sheet metal, you don't really want to do more than multiple tacks anyway. Try it, it worked for me.
Phil

[Ted Zombek]

Thanks guys for your input. I'm a novice at MIG welding, so your advice is welcome.

Ted

[ralph]

good way to keep warping to a minimum when grinding welds on 22 gage patch panels.

Hi Ted,
When you mentioned grinding, it makes me think your using your 4,7 or 9" grinder on your welds. Use your die grinder with a cutoff wheel, you'll have better control for grinding only the weld and you won't build as much heat.

By the way if I remember correctly my wire is e70s6 and it says easy grind on the label. I'll check later for the brand, but believe I got it at TSC.

[Bambi]

Easy Grind wire was so named as a marketing ploy to entice body men to use it. Most would never notice the difference from E 70 S-6 or E70S-7. Those two have more silicone in them. In the weld puddle the recipee seems to cut porosity and creates a somewhat softer and more forgivable weld. The other factor that was used in selling the Easy Grind was wire size, primarily 020, smaller weld equals Easier Grinding.
I run normally .030 E70 S-6 for everything from sheetmetal to structural stuff. Really big stuff I will switch to .045
If I can get it I will use E70 S-7 primarily for the properities when doing multi pass and stitching sheetmetal.
Come spring I will dig out an old roll of 020 and try some tricks with it.
Keys to success with Mig use the right gas C25 aka CO2/ Argon Mix Good wire E70 S-6 or 7 and the right wire size, something that for now is debatable, some folks like 020 some like 030 an others like 035. A lot depeinds upon operator and machine.
The final factor other than machines is the operator and the techniique that he/she applies plus experience.
You can sometimes buy one or two pound rolls of wire and try them out when ya find what works for you then you can step up to the big rolls.

Bambi

[Roadsire]

I ordered a spool from Arcet Equipment in Manassas Park, Virginia and like Kerry mentioned in an earlier post, I could not tell a difference from regular mig wire, maybe a mind over matter thing. 23 gauge is better for light gauge IMO

[jvo]

I bought a roll of Esab easy grind about a year or more ago, can't remember exactly. I could absolutely swear its easier to grind the beads off, unless its just in my head. I HATE grinding mig welds. Only use the mig for spotting stuff in place anymore. It was about twice the price I normally pay. Big disadvantage I've found is that it is .025, and won't go through my .023 tips, so I have to use .030 tips, 'cause I can't find .025 tips. With the bigger tip, I find the end of the wire melts off flush with the end of the tip, if I touch the torch end to the work. Really frustrating. The absolute best way I found to make grinding welds easier was to buy a Tig. John V.O.

[r.w.dewar]

If the easy grind is .025 and the tip is .023, drill a wore out .023 with a .026 bit or something close. Worked for me. Bob.