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The Forney 60171 contact tip is a .030 in copper, Tweco-style MIG contact tip. Retailer listings describe a 4-pack that fits Forney, Tweco, Binzel and Clarke guns. It is a good replacement if you run .030 in wire in a compatible gun, and a poor choice if your gun uses a different tip style or you run another wire size.
This page summarizes listing and retailer data and a fit checklist. It is not based on hands-on testing.
Quick verdict
Buy it if your gun takes Tweco-style tips and you run .030 in wire.
Skip it if your gun uses a different thread or tip style, or you run .023 in or .035 in wire.
Forney 60171 contact tip specs at a glance
| Item | Detail (per the listing) |
|---|---|
| Brand and model | Forney 60171 (Tweco-style 11-30) |
| Wire size | .030 in (0.76 mm) |
| Length | 1 in (25.4 mm) |
| Material | Copper, per retailer listings |
| Pack size | Retailer listings describe a 4-pack; confirm on the Amazon listing |
| Gun compatibility | Forney, Tweco, Binzel and Clarke guns, per retailer listings |
| Listed welders | Forney 304, 306 and 308 MIG welders, per one retailer |
Pack count and seller details can change, so check the Amazon listing before ordering.
Who it suits and who should skip it
Good fit if
- You run .030 in solid or flux-core wire in a Tweco-style gun.
- Your current tip is worn, stretched or burned back.
- You want a few spares on the shelf.
Skip it if
- Your gun uses a different tip thread or length.
- You run another wire diameter.
- You want a full gun rebuild kit with nozzle, diffuser and liner.
How to check fit before you buy
Pull your current tip and compare thread, length and bore size. Match the wire size printed on your spool to the tip size.
Check the gun brand against the compatibility list in the listing, and read your welder manual for the tip style it specifies.
When to replace a contact tip
Replace the tip when the bore is oval or enlarged, the wire sticks or feeds unevenly, the arc turns erratic, or the wire keeps burning back to the tip.
If problems continue with a new tip, check the liner, drive rolls, ground clamp and gas flow.
Installing the tip
Switch the welder off and let the gun cool, remove the nozzle, unscrew the old tip and thread the new one in snug without cross-threading. Refit the nozzle and test feed on scrap before welding.
Pros and limitations
Pros
- Copper tip in the common .030 in size.
- Listed as compatible with several gun brands.
- Retailers describe a multi-tip pack, handy for spares.
Limitations
- Only fits Tweco-style guns; thread and length must match.
- Single wire size.
- Pack count should be confirmed on the listing.
Related guides: how to replace MIG welding tips, how to clean MIG contact tips, how to fix a burnt MIG tip, FORTON MIG tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wire size is the Forney 60171 for?
It is a .030 in contact tip, so use it with .030 in wire.
Which guns does it fit?
Retailer listings name Forney, Tweco, Binzel and Clarke guns. Compare your current tip and manual to be sure.
How many tips come in the package?
Retailer listings describe a 4-pack. Confirm the count on the current Amazon listing.
How do I know when to replace a tip?
Replace it when the bore is enlarged, the wire feeds poorly or burns back, or the arc becomes unstable.
Will a new tip fix poor welds?
Only if the old tip was the problem. Also check wire speed, voltage, gas flow, ground and liner condition.
Final verdict
The Forney 60171 is a plain, useful replacement tip for Tweco-style guns running .030 in wire. Match the size and thread first, confirm the pack count, then order.
