I'm working on the Mini so it's Mini related

Tutorials and How To's on MIG welding say or show the contact tip protruding about 1/8" past the end of the gas shroud. My MIGs original setup and the replacement bits I got the other day are the opposite with the tip inside the shroud about 1/8" - what is correct? (or better)

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

G'day Wombat, how've you been?

The set up that you have is better suited to sheet metal 3.3mm and thicker, for lighter stuff like mini bodies you do want your contact tip to extend past the shroud by 3.2 mm (think thats the common size).

But its no secret that I'm not big on MIG personally so I don't use it that much. The Doc used to work for Rheem as a fitter so he has HUGE amounts of MIG experience, hopefuly he will stop by and offer his 2 cents Cos he probably knows a few MIG tricks that I don't.

My MIG has the tip about level with the shroud, which works okay. However a lot of people recommend trimming the shroud so you can see the arc better. A longer shroud may help with shielding gas, but if yours is the normal type, you can pull the shroud forward up to 1/2 inch if you're having problems with the shielding gas getting blown away.

Mine is screw on - fix distance - guess I'll have to attack it with a hacksaw

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

With small wires you use less wire stickout from the tip than big wires, the general rule here (ref Linde Gas's MIG data sheets) is 13x the wire diameter for good starting and running. Applies to all wire sizes.
I have the contact tip about 3 or 4mm outside the shroud. Makes it easier to see the arc, puts much less spatter in the nozzle too.

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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.