Hobart Handler 210

[Revlimiter]

Just bought myself a brand new Handler 210 from Tractor supply today and was looking for a shielding gas tank on craigslist and I managed to find someone selling a 125 cu. ft. argon and co2 tank, except the mixture is 80% Argon and 20% Co2. I heard that most Hobarts use a 75% argon to 25% co2 mixture. I'm just worried that if I buy it that it wont shield correctly because the mixture of gas is different.

heres the link

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/tls/3651387057.html

 

[mckutzy]

Gas mix depends on what the wire you are using, which is relevant on the material being welded.
I believe those are general welding gases for steel. That tank will last a bit, if you are going to weld a bunch, your going to be filling it alot. I would check the date if isnt an old one and see if it is a tank that isnt owned by a particular gas company and can be filled by anywhere, some wont refill others bottles.

 

[Revlimiter]

I'm going to be welding steel that has a thickness around 1/8 in., 10 gauge, 3/16 in., 1/4 in., and also I'm going to be welding car panels. Also I'm going to be welding aluminum after i purchase the spool gun later on. I'm going to be using .030 wire to weld. The type of welding wire is going to be non flux core wire. Here's another problem, I dont know what type of wire to buy to weld with gas. I think Hobart Solid Welding Wire, ER70S-6 would work to weld the thickness range I'm going to be welding. Sorry if I'm bugging you, I just got the welder and I never welded before.

Link to the wire

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/hobart-solid-welding-wire-er70s-6-030-in-carbon-steel-10-lb

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I honestly cannot see the slight difference in Ar/CO2 blend making any tangible difference.

 

[Revlimiter]

So whats the conclusion?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

McKutzy's advice about tank dates and obligations is right on. Make sure you've got some time on it. It's like your BBQ tank. After it expires, it cannot be refilled unless it is hydrostatically requalified. Generally, this is NOT cost effective, and you'd end up buying a new tank. Also- if the tank is "owned" by a gas supplier, you may not have an option on where to get it filled.

If the price is right and the above checks out, go for it. I'm positive that the slight difference in gas blend is not going to be a problem for you.

Ironic as it is, I'm also in the process of shopping for a used cylinder so I am examining all this too.

 

[Revlimiter]

so the questions i would ask to the seller would be?

What is the date for the tank?
Is the tank owned by a particular company?

 

[rmm727]

You can use 100% CO2 for shielding gas. It is cheaper than the 75/25 mix. I use the 75% Argon / 25% CO2 for my welder though. I have been told that most people won't notice a difference between either gas (myself being one of them)

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I have heard that, but I have also heard that using straight C02 is likely to cause your regulator/flowmeter to freeze up. I really should try it, I have everything I need, including a partial cylinder of straight C02 from a beverage dispenser....

Problem is, I'm such a cheap bugger I HATE changing wire on my welder because you lose 10 feet everytime you do. At $70/roll of quality 0.035" FCAW wire, I don't enjoy throwing it out!

 

[rmm727]

You can use fluxcore wire with shielding gas. Its said to produce a really nice weld but its expensive as fluxcore wire is more money than solid mig wire and then you're using shielding gas to boot. Now that you said something about the regulator freezing up, not all regulators are compatible with straight CO2. Something to read more into.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yup- more homework required!

 

[Revlimiter]

I could buy 10 lb spool of .030 hobart solid mig wire for around 40 dollars but for flux core 10 lb of .030 hobart fluxcore wire is around 75-90 dollars.

 

[Revlimiter]

I found a video about buying used argon,oxygen,acetylene tanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndGB-Ww47M4

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Straight CO2 is definitely an option... I was looking at some info on a new welder I'm fixin' to buy, and on the settings chart inside the wire feed door, it indicated so...

 

[zbuck]

so the questions i would ask to the seller would be?

What is the date for the tank?
Is the tank owned by a particular company?

Another option, buy the tank. Thats what I did on the tank for my mig and the tanks for my torch. That way they can be filled by any gas supplier. Just be sure to keep the bill of sale, so if questioned you can prove that you own the tanks. I pay 15$ a year to my current gas supplier as a maintenance fee, for all three tanks.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I called my local welding shop on lunch today to order up my new machine. While I was at it, I asked about gas options- this one sounded decent enough-

For about $250, you buy into the exchange program. Your membership in the program is good forever. That price includes the first cylinder full of gas. From there on in, every time the cylinder becomes empty, you take it in and they exchange it for a full one. While you DO pay for gas each time, you NEVER have to pay for a cylinder again, and it NEVER goes out of date- because every time, they give you a valid cylinder. The cylinder never expires, and neither does your membership.

Yes- you are then bound to go to them everytime- but if you choose your dealer carefully, I can't see a problem with that at all...

 

[mckutzy]

Ya buying into one of those gas exchange programs is a good thing. Some companies will charge rent on the cylinder, others not, but the gas might be more expensive.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Sure. Everybody is in business to make money. What I like about these guys is that after the initial purchase, you only pay for the gas- ever. And only when you need it.

I wish it was in my budget- but by the time I pay for my new machine.... FCAW it is!

 

[rmm727]

I bought mine and sat on it for a month or two before I went and bought my cylinder. I have a welder at work so I could live with it. I have the Miller 180 Auto-Set. Hope your purchase goes well.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Oh, I have a machine that works well. It's tax time and I'm treating myself to a well-deserved upgrade. Already have a buyer lined up for my old one to help offset the cost. Said and done, the new one's only gonna cost me about $400 all in (after Lincoln rebate offer and sale of my old one).