Using this calculator
Estimate a starting current and wire-feed speed for supported mild-steel solid-wire GMAW setups.
How to use it
Select units, supported wire diameter, shielding gas and DCEP polarity. Enter material thickness within the supported wire-current range, then calculate.
Understanding the results
Review approximate current and wire-feed speed in inches per minute and metres per minute. Set voltage from the chart for your machine, wire and gas.
Does this calculator choose voltage or transfer mode?
No. It uses Miller’s published current and wire-feed rules of thumb. Voltage and transfer mode require the correct equipment chart and a test on the actual joint.
Scope and limitations
This is a starting-point calculation for solid steel wire only. Aluminum, stainless steel, flux-cored wire and unsupported combinations are excluded. Both listed gas mixtures are active-gas MAG setups.