Using up old welding wire.

[Highpower]

I agree 100% Ozwelder. In this particular case I was working on sheet metal panels that should have been scrapped anyway, so I had nothing to lose by using up some scrap wire on it as well. There was nothing critical or structural about those welds and I don't think I did any damage to my welder in the short span of the few feet of wire that I used. I certainly wouldn't make a habit of doing it. I have plenty of nice clean filler wire I could have used but this time I chose to use up some of the dirty stuff rather than bin it, fully knowing the downfalls in advance. I was willing to take the risk.   

In the end it did save me quite a bit of money however by not having to purchase replacement panels. A new liner and contact tip would have been less costly if I did destroy them. I never would have used it if I was doing the job for someone else though. Only for my own use. But again, you are correct that clean, clean, clean, is the best policy for any type of fusing metal together and your recommendations are quite sound. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience.

Quote:Hopefully these comments may help someone coming along later.

I'm sure they will!