I've done some GMAW (MIG) welding (may have been MIG with flux-cored wire) in the past and from experience the length of the wire from the tip of the "torch" is very important. If the wire length coming from the torch is too long then it's hard to strike an arc, though if it's too short then you can weld the wire to the tip of the torch. Around 1/4" from the end of the wire to the torch tip works very well. Also, unless the wire extending from the tip of the torch is too long, it's not necessary to clip off the end of the wire.
FYI, for wire feed welding it's best to keep the torch tip close to the weld (again ~1/4" or so) as this produces better welds and less splatter.
Edit: the reason why the wire length is so important is that the tip of the torch is the contact that supplies power to the consumable electrode (wire) so added wire length means more resistance and less current to strike the arc. Further, when doing MIG welding (or FCAW with a shield gas), when the wire is too long the end will be outside the envelope of the shield gas, which results in poor welds.
FYI, for wire feed welding it's best to keep the torch tip close to the weld (again ~1/4" or so) as this produces better welds and less splatter.
Edit: the reason why the wire length is so important is that the tip of the torch is the contact that supplies power to the consumable electrode (wire) so added wire length means more resistance and less current to strike the arc. Further, when doing MIG welding (or FCAW with a shield gas), when the wire is too long the end will be outside the envelope of the shield gas, which results in poor welds.
