Chinese MIG wire

[41kustom]

Just took a close look at the spool of wire I bought yesterday.
Made in China. Don't know if I should take it back or what.
Any opinions on Chinese wire. That is, have any of you used it.
This brand is Weldcote. Thanks.

[MicroZone]

Those who have used it, from this forum, said it wasn't worth using.
They immediately went out and bought either Hobart or Lincoln wire.
The China made wire was too inconsistant in their opinions. HOpe that helps...

[Sandy]

Just out of curiosity, does it have all the other indicators on there that say it's an aws wire or other standards setting entity?

What type of wire is it?

Ha!! Go ahead and run it and get back to us with a product review. :)

[41kustom]

Just out of curiosity, does it have all the other indicators on there that say it's an aws wire or other standards setting entity?

What type of wire is it?

Ha!! Go ahead and run it and get back to us with a product review. :)
It is ER70S-6, ASW/SFA A5.18.

[Sandy]

It is ER70S-6, ASW/SFA A5.18.

Solid wire seems to be a bit less complex than flux core so----. It might get down to a preference and how it runs for you and whether you like it or not. Of course even if you liked it that wouldn't necessarily be an endorsement for any and all wire from a foreign source, just that wire from that maker. Could also be the aws spec listed on there doesn't mean much either. Just a label. The way things have been going it could have a lead coating on it. :)

[cajun welder]

i work in a shop that burns 25 to 30 spools a week. we have tried probably every brand out there and we have always come back to the lincoln. all the other brands would rust, or would not feed well. what we use is lincoln murex 70s-6 .045, 44lbs spools. all our welders perfer the lincoln.:waving:

[WANNAWELD]

take it back and anything else you have from china:p

[tommyj3]

Just for the record were did you buy this wire. (store, lws, ect.)

[41kustom]

Just for the record were did you buy this wire. (store, lws, ect.)
Bought at local welding supply. I should have suspected something when
the guy said he didn't have any .023 in Hobart ( I think that was the brand)
and pulled this spool from another place. Said it was made by the same company. Haven't done any business with this place before, I just happened to be in the area and stopped.

[infro]

I have used this wire on my miller 251 and I just stared to use the 7018 and dare I say I have had no problems and dare I say that the 7018 runs better than the hobart
not as harsh the reason for the change.....the price with the cost going up all around
it's a matter of keeping food on the table steel going up again 10 to 40 pecent last I
heard

[gnm109]

About two years ago when I bought my Lincoln SP175plus MIG, it came with a two pound roll of their .023 solid wire, probably 70s-6. It worked well. When that ran out, I happened to be at Airgas to exchange an argon cylinder and I asked them for a couple of two pound rolls One .023 and one .030.

It was their house brand, Radnor and the rolls were marked "Made in Turkey". I installed one roll and discovered that it wouldn't run properly. Instead of the nice sizzle that I got formerly from the prior Lincoln wire, I got a harsh sound with an intermittent popping.

I tried the other roll and got the same results. Rather than take it back, I impulsively tossed both rolls in the waste can. I'm sure that Airgas would have given me a credit for it but I seldom go there and it's quite a drive and so I just decided that it wasn't woth the hassle.

I went to Home Depot and discovered that they sell MIG tips and rolls of Lincoln wire, both flux core and solid in 2# and 10# sizes so that's where I will get my wire from now on.

By the way, at one time, I also tried a roll of .023 Forney wire from the local Ace Hardware for comparison purposes. I don't recall where it was made. It ran OK and I still have part of it left but it doesn't run as well as the Lincoln wire. I can't explain it except to say that Lincoln works for me so I'll continue to use it.

I haven't run into any Chinese wire yet but I guess I would try it if I can find it. Who knows, it might work for me.

[Jolly Roger]

I tried some of it in .023 once. Two days out of the plastic and it was rusted over all the way out. Tossed most of it in the trash. I primarily use Lincoln wires (I get the best price on it and have never had any problems with it), but have also used a lot of ESAB. Both are good wires. I bought some Forney 7018 sticks once, and haven't bought anything that says Forney on it since. I've never tried the Hobart because it appears they can't even give it away down here. That was clue enough for me.

[revrider1]

take it back and anything else you have from china:p

Ditto

[808APP]

I tried that once. It took a long time to get rid of it because it kept slipping in the rollers no matter how tight I put it. So I kept using the stick welder instead. When I finally finished the machine worked fine.

[SavageSun4x4]

Cheap don't good and good don't come cheap.:waving:

[Donald Branscom]

ESAB has a manufacturing facility for welding consumables in China now.

The port of Oakland California bought some ship loading cranes from China and had them shipped over. Then a few months later there was a shiploading crane failure in China.

Also some steam valves form China were ordered then tested when they got to the USA before installation. Some exploded. This was reported in American Welding Society magazine.

[Donald Branscom]

ESAB has a manufacturing facility for welding consumables in China now.

The port of Oakland California bought some ship loading cranes from China and had them shipped over. Then a few months later there was a shiploading crane failure in China.

Also some steam valves form China were ordered then tested when they got to the USA before installation. Some exploded. This was reported in American Welding Society magazine.

The website for WeldCote says they sell in the USA and some other countries.
It does not say where the products are manufactured. You can google it and see what you get.

[SavageSun4x4]

Having lived a good chunk of my life outside the US in Europe and Asia and will pass on to you an old adage we have in the computer code writing business: Garbage in, Garbage out!

Yes there is PLENTY of Chinese junk out there. But I would have no problem doing business there for products. The Chinese will produce to YOUR Specfications, not theirs. Quality Control is YOUR responsibility. Hold them to the standard they will work to the standard, simple as that.

Deal in the back alleys with a greedy Chinaman and a greedy American and that is why we have lawsuits.

I have seen some very close tolerance, high tec work come out of china that is as good as it gets.

Right now there are a LOT of greedy Americans that are mopping up$$$$$$ and just hope they don't get caught and if they do they will blame little chinamen for the problem.

Buy your products for a well known, reputable company that is known for standing behind its products and whether its make here or in China should make no difference.

Get you welding wire from One Hung Low Coat Hanger and Welding Wire company and expect to get what you pay for.

[737mechanic]

Bought 2 10 lbs rolls of china made wire off ebay from a well know welding supply and have not had any problem with it at all. No rust, no feed problems and makes perfect welds.

If the price of lincoln or another brand name of wire was closer in price I would have no problem spending a few extra dollars on the lincoln but when it is more than double or triple the price I have to wonder how much better it can really be.

[Mandau]

Yes there is PLENTY of Chinese junk out there. But I would have no problem doing business there for products. The Chinese will produce to YOUR Specfications, not theirs. Quality Control is YOUR responsibility. Hold them to the standard they will work to the standard, simple as that.

Deal in the back alleys with a greedy Chinaman and a greedy American and that is why we have lawsuits.

I have seen some very close tolerance, high tec work come out of china that is as good as it gets.

Right now there are a LOT of greedy Americans that are mopping up$$$$$$ and just hope they don't get caught and if they do they will blame little chinamen for the problem.

Buy your products for a well known, reputable company that is known for standing behind its products and whether its make here or in China should make no difference.



Same experience here... I know China producer can offer 7 grade of the same item... u get what u pay for... when buying have a quality control guy sleep, eat and exercise on site and never leave the final product sight... :)

I have stayed a couple of month in and out tof the country... nice but we need to stay sharp...