Consumables
When do I replace my MIG contact tip?
Quick answer
Replace your MIG contact tip when feeding becomes erratic, the arc wanders or the tip's bore is visibly ovalled or spatter-welded — typically every few hours of arc time with quality tips, sooner with gasless wire. A $2 tip fixes half of all 'machine' problems.
Symptoms and causes
- Erratic feed / stuttering — worn or ovalled bore
- Arc wandering around the joint — tip seated badly
- Bird-nesting at the drive rolls — blocked tip or wrong liner size
- Tip welded to the nozzle — spatter buildup; anti-spatter spray helps