Thread: mig wire storage.

Lyle ,
No problems if its put in a plastic bag with the dessicant .

Grahame

Lyle ,
No problems if its put in a plastic bag with the dessicant .

Grahame

Excellent, Ta.

I also use gasless mig wire, could'nt justify the bottle rental not for the infrequent use of the mig welder.
I have a CIG Brumby 180 now going onto 15years, bought it new and run the large 15 kg spool in it. Still on the original reel (just), infact 5yrs ago I though I would run out of wire on a project I was working at that time so I raced out and bought a new 15kg gasless spool. That's still sitting in its box in the cupboard.
Anyhow back to the point of storage of my mig gasless wire I have never removed the spool from under the "hood" of the Brumby and up until yesterday when I finished a welding job thats taken me 2 weeks to do. I had not previously used the welder for about 18 months and then previous to that another 1.5 to 2yrs.
I store the welder in my large shed out of the weather, and usually have to go hunting for it when I want to use it (I always pile something on top of it). Give it a blow-out with the compressed air, possible get the spry & wipe and give it a cosmetic clean (after 15yrs it still looks new) plug it in and works like a treat!
Infact the only thing I've had to replace this time around, as I'm getting old and need glasses now to see most things is the auto darking helmet as it was getting just too bright even at the shade 13 setting when striking an arc. Plus the fact that I can't wear safety glasses and my specs under the helmet at the same time, so I have difficuilty see the job face.
So I splurged out an bought a Miller Digital Elit for $399 with DOIP 2.5x magnifier. Its brilliant, not only can I see the joint under arc now but I can really see it in focus!
Back to the question of the wire oxidising? Have I been lucky for 15yrs and 3 house moves in that time? I should really inspect the gasless wire spool but I cannot bend down now because of my back and to compensate for this I bought one of those lift trolleys from H&F a few years back but its presently being used to support my router and switch cabinet until I get it fixed back on the wall (yet another project half done).
So, until then I can't report if there is any oxidization on the wire?

Cheers,

I use those vacuum packs you can get from Woolworths and Coles. Throw the roll in with some desiccant and suck the air out of the bag, and chuck it on the shelf.

Thanks, that's a great idea drsed
Never thought of that.
I'll give it a go.
Ta.

(after I make my next job, have just found another bit of kit to make for my other hobby/sport - archery).

Lyle.