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Which gas for MIG-welding steel?
- Thread starter jarheadk5
- Start date
muscle
1/2 ton status
CO2/argon mix
muscle said:
me to cofirm
...And a couple follow-ups:
-what size cylinder?
-rent/lease or purchase?
My first project (after practicing on some scraps) will be a rolling cart for the welder and gas bottle... made from angle stock from an old bedframe. After that, it'll be floors, tailpan, and rocker repairs. After that... I dunno. Maybe a bumper or two. My truck priorities have changed recently, so I probably won't be doing much with it (the welder) for a while after I get the K5 road-worthy again.
-what size cylinder?
-rent/lease or purchase?
My first project (after practicing on some scraps) will be a rolling cart for the welder and gas bottle... made from angle stock from an old bedframe. After that, it'll be floors, tailpan, and rocker repairs. After that... I dunno. Maybe a bumper or two. My truck priorities have changed recently, so I probably won't be doing much with it (the welder) for a while after I get the K5 road-worthy again.
Last edited:
gravdigr
1/2 ton status
I would get as big a cylinder as you can afford (within reason) I have the smallest cylinder and it sucks. It always goes empty when I'm in the middle of a project on a sunday and the welding shop is closed.
trailblazr81
1/2 ton status
I have a 20 pound CO2 tank. I mainly use CO2 cuz I have a 5 pound tank to push the beer out of the keg. And if it runs out mid keg, I know I have a back up!! Now thats planning ahead!!! 
Ive done some frame repairs, made cart for welder, and some thin metal body stuff.
Ive done some frame repairs, made cart for welder, and some thin metal body stuff.
I'm still wondering about the lease vs buy question. I have been using flux so far, but a tank is in my near future. Anyone?
trailblazr81
1/2 ton status
flux to MIG is like night n day, whatever it takes to switch now!! I bought one tank then "acquired" a fairly new tank.
hmmm where does the gas go on my arc welder ??????
seriously... that is why I havent got a gas welder yet.... not sure of all those fancy thingamobobbers that they have..
seriously... that is why I havent got a gas welder yet.... not sure of all those fancy thingamobobbers that they have..
trailblazr81
1/2 ton status
The MIG's from popular brands such as Lincoln, etc. are pretty simple. Mine started out flux, then I upgraded it to MIG, next I want to get the aluminum kit. Good detailed instructions n video. Then just practice. I wanna learn stick... the TIG!! And playing with a Plasma is cool!! Cuts like a Frikkin Laser Beam!!
And playing with a Plasma is cool!! Cuts like a Frikkin Laser Beam!! 
I use 75/25...
Rene
Rene
85mudblazin
1/2 ton status
If you go CO2/Argon with your 135 ALL you will be able to weld is sheetmetal. I run straight CO2 with my 135 and I can weld up to about 1/8" comfortably.
The CO2 burns alot hotter then the mix but it doesnt weld as clean. Although even with the CO2 I have zero slag.
In conclusion, go CO2
The CO2 burns alot hotter then the mix but it doesnt weld as clean. Although even with the CO2 I have zero slag.
In conclusion, go CO2
I like argon/c02 I got crazy penitration with it. A mig is so freaking easy
NoReGrEtS
1/2 ton status
trailblazr81 said:playing with a Plasma is cool!! Cuts like a Frikkin Laser Beam!!
coolist tool I think I have ever used
spoolnaround
1/2 ton status
I pulled this off an article on Millers site.
http://www.millerwelds.com/education/articles/articles70.html
Filler Metal, Shielding Gas, and Nozzles
For tubing with a 0.120-in. wall thickness, a good welding wire is a 0.030- or 0.035-in.-diameter, S-6 hard wire (American Welding Society classification ER70S-6).
Use a 75% argon/25% CO2 shielding gas. Compared to 100% CO2, this mix yields smooth arc characteristics, better pool control, good bead wetting action, good bead control, and less spatter. It also reduces the chance of melt-through on thinner materials because it requires less voltage and lower wire feed speeds than straight CO2. Flow rates are typically around 30 ft3/h.
Shielding gas nozzles also need to be monitored, cleaned, and occasionally replaced. Depending on the nozzle size and its workload, spatter can build up and impede the proper flow of shielding gas and leave the weld pool unprotected.
I remember reading somewhere on one of the big welder manufacture sites that CO2 gets the deepest penetration. I will keep looking.
http://www.millerwelds.com/education/articles/articles70.html
Filler Metal, Shielding Gas, and Nozzles
For tubing with a 0.120-in. wall thickness, a good welding wire is a 0.030- or 0.035-in.-diameter, S-6 hard wire (American Welding Society classification ER70S-6).
Use a 75% argon/25% CO2 shielding gas. Compared to 100% CO2, this mix yields smooth arc characteristics, better pool control, good bead wetting action, good bead control, and less spatter. It also reduces the chance of melt-through on thinner materials because it requires less voltage and lower wire feed speeds than straight CO2. Flow rates are typically around 30 ft3/h.
Shielding gas nozzles also need to be monitored, cleaned, and occasionally replaced. Depending on the nozzle size and its workload, spatter can build up and impede the proper flow of shielding gas and leave the weld pool unprotected.
I remember reading somewhere on one of the big welder manufacture sites that CO2 gets the deepest penetration. I will keep looking.
camiswelding
1/2 ton status
which gas...
it depends
co2 gives deeper penetration and is way cheaper than
ar/co2... which produces a nicer weld with less smoke and spatter
( I prefer ar/co2 and pass the expense along)
I own all my bottles... the demurage (rent) is expensive after awhile,,, and I like nice clean bottles on my mobile rig to represent how I keep my equipment
For what you describe I would
use ar/co2...owner bottle
it depends
co2 gives deeper penetration and is way cheaper than
ar/co2... which produces a nicer weld with less smoke and spatter
( I prefer ar/co2 and pass the expense along)
I own all my bottles... the demurage (rent) is expensive after awhile,,, and I like nice clean bottles on my mobile rig to represent how I keep my equipment
For what you describe I would
use ar/co2...owner bottle
