5 years ago I got the last 15kg roll of 0.8mm MIG wire that we had at work (when they changed automatic M/Cs to 0.9). At the rate I burn it (~1kg/yr) I figure I have at least 10 years before having to buy any..
To stop MIG going rusty in the welder when not being used, I chuck handfuls of silica gel packets in there. Every 6 months I stick 'em in the oven at 110C, to dry them out, then bung 'em back in..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

You are a man of many tricks Drmini...

Here's another little tip:

For light rust on a roll of mig wire, poke the end of the wire through a foam ear plug before it enters the handpiece liner. This will wipe off any little bits of dust or rust, but will quickly wear out.

For heavy rust, buy a new roll of wire

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Or if you're a weekend warrior and are stranded with rusty wire on a Sunday, just give it a hit with the wire weel on the angry grinder

Works better than you would think. Rust is usually just on the outside of the outer layer of wire.

My MIG already has a little wad of cotton stuff that clamps on before the feed motor and gives the wire a wipe.

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"Life is not like a box of chocolates... it's more like a jar of jalapenos. Whatever you do today, may burn your arse tomorrow."

I have a Telwin 150 which takes the dispoable bottles, and just has a fairly thin hose coming out the back, but all you need is to be able to step down the diamtere of big tube coming off the big gas bottle down to the small tube. Gas is gas, pressure is pressure - no reason why you couldn't. I run D size bottles from memory and they last ages. Even with rental included, it's way cheaper and more convenient than disposable canisters.

My Telwin 150 was NZ$700 and it's getting a workout at the moment as I'm making kitchen counters for my wife's cafe, but the Clubman sits waiting its turn...

Yeah Angus thought about getting it down to the small hose size, but it is a big drop. Once this project is finished (hahahah) I will have another attempt at getting the gas setup working. At the mo I can't afford to waste time and the gasless work well enough. I'll have to save up $1000.00 and get adecent MIG

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au