Method and apparatus for GMAW welding

An interchangeable, elongated electrically conductive welding wire guide member for use in an electric arc welding apparatus using consumable steel welding wire having a diameter equal to or less than about 5/64 inch, said member having a generally cylindrical body with an upper end with means for mounting said guide member and a lower wire exit end, said guide member including first and second parallel welding wire passages spaced from each other a selected centerline distance in a given direction and extending from said upper end to said exit end, said selected centerline distance in the range about 1/4 inch to about 3/8 inch, means for threadably receiving a first tubular welding wire tip intersecting said first welding wire passage, means for threadably receiving a second tubular welding wire tip intersecting said second welding wire passage whereby first and second welding wires can be simultaneously fed through said parallel passages and through first and second tubular welding wire tips to be mounted on said guide member, and passage means in said welding wire guide member for directing a shielding gas generally outwardly from said cylindrical body.

An electric arc welding apparatus for welding of steel using consumable steel welding wire having a diameter less than or equal to about 5/64 inch and comprising:

• an interchangeable, elongated, electrically conductive welding wire guide member having a generally cylindrical body with an upper end with means for mounting said guide member and a lower wire exit end, said guide member including first and second parallel welding wire passages spaced from each other a selected centerline distance in a given direction and extending from said upper end to said exit end, said selected centerline distance int he range about 1/4 inch to about 3/8 inch, means for threadably receiving a first tubular welding wire tip intersecting said first welding wire passage, and means for threadably receiving a second tubular welding wire tip intersecting said second welding wire passage whereby first and second welding wires can be simultaneously fed through said parallel passages and through said first and second tubular welding wire tips;
• and, a tubular shroud around said cylindrical body of said welding wire guide member to define a downwardly directed gas passage around both said first and second welding wire tips.