996997 - Esab M-Series Contact Tip 1/16 Inch (5-Pack)

Reliable Performance with Esab 996997 Contact Tips

Every welder knows that the contact tip is the unsung hero of the MIG gun. It takes the most abuse, dealing with intense heat, spatter, and the constant friction of wire sliding through it. When your tip starts to wear out, you feel it immediately—the arc starts to wander, the wire stutters, and you spend more time grinding spatter than actually laying beads. That is why using high-quality consumables like the Esab 996997 Contact Tip is non-negotiable for serious fabricators. Designed specifically for 1/16-inch (1.6mm) wire, these tips are built to keep you welding smoothly shift after shift.

The Esab 996997 is an "M" style tip, meaning it is engineered to fit specific Esab MIG guns perfectly. The fit is crucial; a tip that threads in smoothly and seats firmly ensures that the current transfers efficiently to the wire. This translates to a crisp, sizzling arc that starts hot and stays stable. The 1/16-inch size is typically used for heavier applications—think structural beams, heavy equipment repair, or thick plate fabrication. In these high-heat scenarios, lesser quality tips can soften and keyhole quickly, ruining your aim and your weld. Esab's copper alloy construction resists this thermal deformation, holding its shape longer so you don't have to swap tips every hour.

This product comes in a convenient bag of 5. We all know that burnback happens—sometimes you push a little too hard, or the wire speed isn't quite right, and suddenly the wire fuses to the tip. Having a fresh pack of five in your toolbox means you are never left scrambling for a spare. You can simply unscrew the old one, thread in a fresh 996997, and get right back to the job. It is a small investment that saves a lot of frustration.

Using the correct size tip for your wire is also vital for feeding performance. These tips are precision-drilled to match 1/16" wire specifications exactly. This reduces the drag on your drive rolls and liner, preventing bird-nesting at the feeder. Whether you are running solid steel wire or flux-cored wire, the smooth bore of the Esab 996997 ensures the filler metal gets to the puddle exactly where you want it. Don't let a cheap consumable compromise your expensive welds; stick with genuine Esab parts for the best results.