Yes, absolutely. It's often the easier to locate MIG wire in sizes < 1/16" than it is to locate the same alloy and diameter in 36" length TIG filler rod version. Or the 36" length TIG version will be a special order while the MIG wire is readily available sitting on a shelf.
You can just snip off lengths of the MIG wire with dykes, and go at it.
It's harder to feed rod with your hand while maintaining control of the tip of the filler rod wire while welding, if the filler wire has a curve or bends in it. And it's not easy to straighten it by hand.
I've heard that clamping one end of the curved wire (snipped off MIG wire) in a vice, while simultaneously twisting and pulling on the other end (such as by rotating a clamped vice grip by hand, or by using safety wire pliers if available) works quickly and effectively to straighten the wire. I've been meaning to try that.
Attached pics show some .065"-.080" 5052 sheet aluminum I TIG welded using 3/64" 5356 MIG wire. The 3/64" (.047") diameter filler worked out perfectly.
Last edited by jakeru; 03-14-2011 at 08:01 PM.
'13 Everlast 255EXT
'07 Everlast Super200P
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