[sswee]

The size wire I use depends on the part. I use 8 gage, like Radio Shack carries, on the putters at about 75 joules. The small parts I use about 20 gage at around 26 joules. The length of wire I use to connect a part is usually 8 to 12 inches long. A good weld will be very hard if not impossible to pull straight off but do not take much side to side motion to break. I usually check the welds by holding the part and lightly shake the wire. When in the tank, under aggressive agitation, the parts will flutter all over but I haven't had one go AWOL yet. Hope this helps.
SS