What kind of gas do you use?

[kibble]

So, what kind of gas do you guys use for welding steel and iron? I bought a tank at a swap meet for $30 but it's full of CO2. I got a regulator and crap for it. I wanted to fill it up with argon so I can weld aluminum.

I have yet to weld using gas.

 

[RobertD]

I run 75%/25% argon and co2. You can run straight Co2 and you'll get more penetration. I've tried to weld aluminum with my 75/25, and it doesn't really work. I guess you really do need the full argon.

 

[kibble]

Would just running the CO2 alone help with preventing burn through? I have that problem constantly with the gasless stuff. As a result, some of my welds look like crap and I have to pretty them up with the grinder.

 

[RobertD]

You know, I'm unsure. I suspect it would help. You might try it since it's full. Let me know afterward.

 

[Gunnar]

I use Argon with CO2 and Nitrogenmonocside for steel and iron welding. it gets the job done and gives nice and smooth welds, but I don`t know if that`s the best. Welding MiG without gas isn`t worth the time. It just gives rubbish welding. You need special wire to do that properly, and not even then is it better than with gas

 

[kibble]

Well I'm gonna give the CO2 a shot and see what happens. I went and bought some hose to be able to connect my tank to the welder. I'll keep you posted. Get it? "posted"..... Oh nevermind... LOL

 

[RobertD]

I used flux core wire for the first time last week on my mig, because I was out of gas and I have a backup spool of flux core. It sucked. For the cost of 2lbs of wire ($15-18) it's just too much. I get the big bottles of argon/co2 for $35, and the solid wire 10lb spools are something like $20 I think... it's more expensive *not* to use gas.

 

[kibble]

I tried using just plain CO2 with flux core, cuz it's the only thing I had, and it seemed to make a considerable difference in the weld. I went and bought me a roll of just plain steel stuff today and I will be trying it out with the CO2. I'll let you know how that goes.

 

[ryf]

straight co2 works good... any mix of co2 and argon will work better, but cost more, lots of people like 75%co2, cheap and works very well for most people..

I use straight co2 myself, too cheap to care.

 

[kibble]

Awww man, I've been welding with the regular solid wire stuff and straight CO2 and it makes such a HUGE difference in the welds! At one point tonight, I had shut off the gas but forgot to turn it back on when I started welding and noticed that the welds were coming out crappy again. That's when I realized that the gas was off. I think from now on I'm gonna avoid using flux core unless it's the only thing available or for things that don't really matter that much.

 

[my_mini_bike]

i feel like im in science class
argon this
CO2 that

lol

we're doing the peridoic table by the way lol

 

[ineed2fly]

I use the gas inside the wire!

 

[jr dragster T]

The gas isnt inside the wire its a flux subtance that when burnt it makes a gas that shields the weld pool.

 

[2or3wheels]

i use regular 87 cheap and useable.

 

[kibble]

LOL, I'm hoping that the last post is a joke, 2 or 3.

 

[2or3wheels]

yeah it is, but i wonder if pump gas could work if you pressureized it.

 

[jr dragster T]

2 or 3 am I dreaming You would even try to use pump gas presureized when mig welding! Maybe COULD be used for oxy welding. And I dont think it has any shielding properties

 

[kibble]

Wouldn't you just get flames galore?

 

[2or3wheels]

i dunno you guys give it a try and let me know.

 

[kibble]

I think he who suggests should put it to the test.