996816 - ESAB .052 Contact Tip for ST-16/ST-21 MIG Guns (5-Pack)

Keep Your Arc Smooth with ESAB .052" Contact Tips

Every welder knows that the contact tip is the unsung hero of the MIG gun. It takes the most abuse, handles the most heat, and is the final transfer point for all that welding current. If you are running 0.052" wire through an ESAB ST-16, ST-21, or MT-series gun, the ESAB 996816 Contact Tube is the exact replacement you need to keep your beads running flat and your spatter low. Worn-out tips cause keyholing, erratic arcs, and frustrating burnbacks—swapping them out regularly is the cheapest insurance for good welds.

These tips aren't just generic copper tubes; they are genuine ESAB parts machined to fit your gun's diffuser perfectly. This means no cross-threading and no rattling loose in the middle of a pass. The bore is drilled to the perfect tolerance for .052" wire, allowing the wire to slide through without drag while still making solid electrical contact. This balance is crucial for maintaining a stable voltage and consistent wire stick-out, especially when you are welding out of position or dealing with long cable runs.

Sold in a convenient pack of 5, this kit ensures you aren't left scrambling when a tip fuses or wears out. It's always good practice to keep a fresh pack in your toolbox or on the cart. These tips work seamlessly with the ST-16 and ST-21 guns found in many fabrication shops, as well as the heavier-duty MT-200 and MT-400 setups. Don't let a cheap tip ruin a critical weld; stick with the brand that built your gun.

Upgrade your consumables inventory today. With fresh tips, you get better starts, fewer feed issues, and less downtime clearing birdnests. Grab a pack of ESAB 996816 contact tubes and keep your production line moving.