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Shielding Gas Preference ?

VANDAN

VANDAN

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I finally broke down and ordered a welder for the shop. What do most of you use for shielding gas, and what mixture ? Will primarily be working on sheet metal and frame work, some tubing, and heavier iron when the wood splitter or tractors need a fix. Thanks for any input on this topic...
 
I always use a mix ... 75/25 or whatever. Pure CO2 will give you the best penetration but LOTS of spatter. The mix gives a little less penetration but very little spatter and a nicer looking weld. Unless you're doing structural stuff where some engineer or metallurgist specifies CO2, use a mix. Generally (in Canada anyway) the cylinder size will determine the mix ratio. But Honestly, as long as its a mix it works fine.
 
When I worked in a fab shop the gas we used for mig welding was 98% argon 2% oxygen for most fabrications on light gauge steel.
75% argon 25% Co2 is a better choice for general work and would be my choice for a home machine.
Here is more information. Maybe too much:)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shielding_gas
 
Usually 75/25 argon/CO2. Depends on your wire, some types of flux core need straight CO2.
12-Common-Shielding-Gases-Used-for-Arc-Welding.jpg.jpg
 
Photon440 said:
some types of flux core need straight CO2
Click to expand...

Since when does flux core require shielding gas ?!?!?! I see the chart BUT the whole idea of flux core is that it provides its own shielding gas - just like an arc welding electrode.
 
Well 75% Argon / 25% Co2 seems to be the "Choice of Many" for a simple shop set up. I'll make some calls tomorrow for a local supplier, and get my projects underway. THANKS To ALL for your input, and hope Spring is at Your Garage Doors ! ! !
 
I just picked uo a new bottle for mine. I asked if it was cheaper to lease a small tank. He said no. Same price for lease no matter the size of the bottle so i got another big one. Check on the lease prices on the tanks. 75/25 here too.
 
ws23jrt said:
When I worked in a fab shop the gas we used for mig welding was 98% argon 2% oxygen for most fabrications on light gauge steel.
Click to expand...
A few years ago I was a factory rep who sold Certanium welding rods, mig wires, acetylene torch rods & welding supplies to factory maintenance shops. When I sold my mig wire to maintenance welders, just as ws23jrt suggested, I encouraged the use of the 98% argon 2% oxygen mix. The argon works best on all metals and the 2% oxygen is just enough to burn away most impurities on dirty metals. This is just the best gas mix for all steel, stainless steel, aluminum and cast iron mig/tig welding. You will love this mix once you try it on your home machine!

My Certanium clients were maintenance repairmen & women that fixed broken equipment within their shop/factory. Everything busted that needed welding to be put back in service was dirty, out-of-position and of unknown metals. My clients were non-welders; or at best, self-taught welders that laid down weak beads that looked like chicken "poop."

Certanium made all my clients look like welding pros because I sold the "good stuff." Certanium was priced higher than what could be purchased locally, but it worked so much better. For those of us who weld small projects, or even the not so small projects, paying a little more for the "good stuff" & good gas makes the welding jobs so much stronger, go so much easier, look so much better and can actually make the job fun.

https://www.lawsonproducts.com/cata...h-results-pagination.jsp.searchPaginationForm
 
Bottle rental prices vary in my area BUT the price of the gas is much less expensive in the large bottle. So not only do you have to switch it out less but the lower cost makes up for the increased rental. The downside to the big bottle is the weight - its a real struggle for me to lift it 2" onto the welder dolly. If you only have a small welder with a light weight cart then the big bottle won't be an option.
 
We buy our bottles here.
Get an account set up with the gas house and exchange them when empty. Having the account saves you 20% off walk in price.
 
Stanton said:
Since when does flux core require shielding gas ?!?!?! I see the chart BUT the whole idea of flux core is that it provides its own shielding gas - just like an arc welding electrode.
Click to expand...
Flux core and self shielded are two different AWS classifications of similar products. Then there’s metal core and a whole host of exotics. Just because it’s flux core doesn’t mean it’s self shielded. Check out ESAB Dual Shield wire.
As to the gas, the higher the Argon percentage, the more fluid the puddle so you have to consider weld position. You can’t weld vertical or overhead with a 98/2 like you can with 75/25 so you’re pretty much stuck with 75/25 in this hobby. Availability is another subject and most fill plants don’t package anything but 75/25 or straight CO2 in a home hobbiest size tank.
 
Stanton said:
Since when does flux core require shielding gas ?!?!?! I see the chart BUT the whole idea of flux core is that it provides its own shielding gas - just like an arc welding electrode.
Click to expand...

There are specific applications that require gas along with flux core.

We had a rep come in the shop with flux core wire, showing us how it would be beneficial to the welding that we were doing. It splattered more than we cared for so he returned the next day with a different flux core wire and used gas with it. It was better but we still didn't like having to clean the flux off the welds. Don't remember the exact wire and gas but they do use them together.
 
PP1RT said:
I just picked uo a new bottle for mine. I asked if it was cheaper to lease a small tank. He said no. Same price for lease no matter the size of the bottle so i got another big one. Check on the lease prices on the tanks. 75/25 here too.
Click to expand...

If you can afford it, it's better to buy the bottle. Cheaper in the long run by far! Also owning the bottle you can have it filled anywhere. If it's rented, you can only have it filled at that company's place.
 
I use a mid size bottle of 75/25 as I would have to try and move a large bottle myself. No thanks on that.
 
Dual Shield is when you use flux core plus gas. Pipeline, structural etc. We did this in one of my classes. Lays down an awesome weld.
 
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