Welding glossary
Contact tip
Definition
The replaceable copper nozzle inside a MIG torch that carries welding current into the wire as it passes through. Sized to the wire diameter (0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.2 mm). Worn tips cause an erratic arc, bird-nesting and porosity — replace every 4–8 hours of arc time; about $1–3 each.
This term appears throughout our guides and answers — the pages below put it in working context with settings, tables and Australian practice.