Quote:

When you say "gas shield", what are you referring to, & you suggest a thinner wire?



The "gas shield" is the inert shielding gas, (commonly Argon or Argon/CO2 mix) used during MIG welding of steel.

MIG = Metal Inert Gas,

or more correctly, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW).

Since no "Flux Core" is required in MIG Welding (just solid bare wire) the wire-diameter can be smaller.

Smaller diameter wire can be run/melted with lower current, thus reduced chance of burn-through.