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Top Searches

  • Alumi Glide
  • Satin Glide
  • Carbon Steel Welding Wire
  • Copper Free Wire
  • Silver Glide
  • Standard Arc
  • Stainless Steel Welding Wire
  • Tru-Core
  • Copper Glide
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NS ARC is here to answer questions you may have when it comes to welding wire. Here, we address common inquiries about our welding wire products, certifications, packaging options, and the distinct advantages our products offer, and more. If you have a question not listed, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.

NS ARC is a proud women-owned business located in Stillwater, OK.

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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

+ What does being a Women-Owned business mean?
A WBENC-Certified Women's Business Enterprise is a company that is owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women.

WBENC Certification recognizes businesses that meet certain criteria and verify them as being at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women.

The certification process often involves submitting documentation, undergoing a review, and participating in site visits. NS ARC is a proud WBE business.
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+ Where is your product made?
We draw and package our own highly dependable welding wires at our 400,000 sq. ft. facility located in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Our other product lines are sourced globally. With an abundance of resources, manufacturing power, and distribution coverage, we can quickly process orders and get welding wire solutions to your business fast.
+ Do you meet Made in the U.S.A. standards?
Our cored products meet the 100% Made in U.S.A. standards. They are drawn and packaged in Stillwater, Oklahoma, using green rod sourced from the U.S.A.

Our carbon steel products are drawn and packaged in Stillwater, Oklahoma, using green rod sourced from the U.S.A. or Canada. We also offer select carbon steel products that qualify as 100% Made in U.S.A.
+ Where are you located?
Our plant is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with distribution partners located throughout North America.

We have warehouses in: Stillwater, OK; Niles, MI; Irwindale, CA; and Ontario, Canada.
+ Do you make any domestic products?
Our cored products meet the 100% Made in U.S.A. standards. They are drawn and packaged in Stillwater, Oklahoma, using green rod sourced from the U.S.A.

Our carbon steel products are drawn and packaged in Stillwater, Oklahoma, using green rod sourced from the U.S.A. or Canada. We also offer select carbon steel products that qualify as 100% Made in U.S.A.
+ Where is your product manufactured?
Our cored products meet the 100% Made in U.S.A. standards. They are drawn and packaged in Stillwater, Oklahoma, using green rod sourced from the U.S.A.

Our carbon steel products are drawn and packaged in Stillwater, Oklahoma, using green rod sourced from the U.S.A. or Canada. We also offer select carbon steel products that qualify as 100% Made in U.S.A.
+ What differentiates you from your competitors?
NS ARC is the largest dedicated welding wire brand in the United States.

What sets us apart is our sole dedication to welding wire solutions, which grants us advantages over our competitors in providing more sophisticated product technology as well as higher product availability and shorter lead times.

Many of our competitors who offer welding wire dilute their portfolio by offering other products and do not provide the level of dedication that we do.
+ What are your freight terms?
Our customers enjoy free freight over 6,000 lbs. when ordering these product lines: carbon steel, flux-cored, metal-cored, stainless-steel, and Viking™.

These products can be mixed/matched on a single purchase order to sum to 6,000 lbs. These freight terms apply to a single purchase order shipping to a single address.
+ Do you have welding wire in stock?
We generally stock our most commonly ordered products while less common products are made-to-order.

To find out if a specific product is in stock, please contact our customer service team at: [email protected]
Or call: 1-800-777-1618
+ In what package sizes does your solid wire come?
We offer our solid wires in a variety of package sizes including spools, drums, Smart Paks®, and Tru Tracs®.

For specific packaging options by alloy/diameter, visit our product pages on our website.
+ What is your pallet weight?
Our pallet weights vary depending upon the product and package type. For specifics on pallet weights, visit our Packaging page on our website.
+ What is the package footprint size?
Our package footprints vary depending upon the product and package type. For specifics on package footprints, visit our Packaging page on our website.
+ Is your welding wire pricing competitive?
We make every effort to offer competitive pricing. We have our finger on the pulse of pricing in all of our geographic markets and are diligent in our market analysis to ensure our pricing aligns competitively with similar products.
+ Do you make or sell welding equipment?
We specialize in the development and manufacturing of the best welding wire solutions.

Though we don't produce welding equipment, we are dedicated to working with customers to find the best welding wire that matches your application and your equipment.
+ Do you sell submerged arc and flux welding wire?
NS ARC offers flux and EM13-K in specific diameters. For more information, visit our Flux-Cored, Copper-Coated, and Copper-Free pages.
+ What size drums do you offer?
We offer drums in 250-lb., 500-lb., 550-lb., and 900-lb. sizes. Most of our alloy/diameter combinations are offered in several sizes. For specific drum sizes by alloy and diameter, visit our product pages on our website.
+ How do NS ARC ER70S-6 products compare?
Viking™ is our import ER70S-6 product and designed to run with CO2 shielding gas.

NS 115 Copper-Glide™, our premium ER70S-6 product, and Standard Arc Copper-Glide™, our mid-level ER70S-6 product, are designed for Argon CO2 or Argon O2 mixes.
+ Why is copper-free welding wire the better option for my application than copper-coated?
Copper-coated welding wire is preferable for applications that require higher levels of electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance.

Yet, welding with copper-free welding wire can improve weld quality, especially for demanding applications that require top structural soundness.

Copper-free welding wire may also be preferred when welding in confined spaces with proper ventilation to limit the risk of irritants. Copper is also a heavy metal, so welding with copper-free wire can minimize the risk of environmental contamination.
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+ What is the difference between S-6 and S-3 solid wire, and why would I choose one over the other?
S-6 and S-3 solid welding wires offer distinct advantages and are selected based on specific welding requirements.

The key difference lies in their chemical composition and intended applications. S-6 wire, enriched with higher levels of manganese and silicon, acts as a scavenger and allows for welding in less clean conditions while providing better performance over mild amounts of mill scale, oil, dirt, and rust.

It offers increased joint penetration when used with 100 percent CO2 shielding gas or can help minimize spatter when used with an argon/CO2 blend.

S-6 solid wire is commonly chosen for general fabrication applications across industries where it excels in welding mild steel.

However, it should be noted that S-6 wire may generate silicon island deposits on the weld surface, requiring additional post-weld cleaning.

S-3 solid wire is renowned for its ability to produce clean weld deposits that are ready for painting or plating with minimal post-weld cleaning required. It is a preferred choice in automotive applications and scenarios that demand higher wire speeds.

S-3 wire can be used with 100 percent CO2 shielding gas or an argon/CO2 blend for improved joint penetration or lower spatter, respectively.

When selecting between S-6 and S-3 solid wire, factors such as material thickness, joint configuration, desired weld characteristics, and the presence of contaminants should be considered.
+ Which of your ER70S-6 welding wire products is right for my application?
We carry a wide range of ER70S-6 carbon steel welding wires in both a copper-coated and copper-free finish that are suitable for MIG welding and GMAW applications.

These wires can be used for a broad range of specific applications across industries, so choosing the right wire starts with knowing whether you require a copper-coated or copper-free solution.

Typically, copper-coated wire is best for applications that require higher levels of electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, while copper-free wire is preferred in situations that depend on high structural integrity and clean welds without the qualities copper offers.

In general, our copper-free welding wire may be best for agricultural equipment, auto body welding, general fabrication, and pipe welding applications.

Our copper-coated welding wire, on the other hand, may be better suited for welding exhaust systems, general fabrication, heavy equipment, pressure vessels, railcars, shipbuilding, structures, and trailers.

Be sure to match the proper wire diameter to the thickness of the material to be welded by following manufacturer recommendations and referring to a welding wire diameter chart.
+ When should I consider using cored welding wire products over solid welding wire products?
Flux-cored wire offers certain advantages that make it a preferred choice in specific applications. While it may have a higher initial price compared to solid wire, flux-cored wire proves to be cost-efficient for large-scale welding projects due to its high deposition rates and increased productivity.

Unlike solid wire, flux-cored wire does not require shielding gas, making it a convenient and economical option. However, it is important to note that flux-cored wire produces toxic fumes and spatter, requiring proper ventilation and safety precautions during welding. It can also tolerate relatively dirty surfaces, making it suitable for environments where extensive cleaning is not feasible.

With its high penetration capability, flux-cored wire is well-suited for thicker metals but may not provide optimal results for thin materials. The welding appearance of flux-cored wire often includes slag and spatter, which may require additional post-weld cleaning. It is compatible with a range of metals, including steel, cast iron, and galvanized steel, expanding its versatility across different applications.

Metal-cored welding wire, distinct in its metal powder alloying core, combines advantages from flux-cored and solid wire. Its high deposition rate, akin to flux-cored, enhances productivity, while requiring shielding gas aligns it with solid wire for precision. It excels in flat and horizontal positions and is ideal for semi-automatic welding.

The synergy of deposition rates and shielding gas control delivers efficient welds, valuable for speed and precision-focused projects, though thin materials may not be its strength. From automotive to fabrication, metal-cored wire's adaptable efficiency finds favor in various industries, offering clean welds through semi-automatic and mechanized welding processes.

Solid welding wire, despite its lower initial price, remains cost-efficient for hobbyists and occasional welders who do not require the high productivity of flux-cored wire. Solid wire relies on shielding gas for protection against atmospheric contamination during welding.

With its moderate penetration and high feedability, solid wire ensures consistent and controlled welds. It is suitable for indoor use, as it produces minimal fumes and spatter, contributing to a safer and cleaner working environment.

However, solid wire does require meticulous cleaning of the base metal before welding to ensure proper fusion and weld quality. Additionally, it generally necessitates shielding gas, adding to the overall cost. Solid wire excels in welding thin metals, providing precise and aesthetically pleasing welds while also demonstrating good performance with steel and aluminum.
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