Goodbye Co2

[cumbriasteve]

Been using Co2 with my new portamig for about 3 weeks, kept reading about the difference if using argon/co2, so found a supplier at what I think is a good deal and got a bottle.

Now in all honesty the co2 was ok, got a decent enough weld and usually the nice sizzling sound.. a few blobs to clean off similar to the old arc welder etc but yes it was ok.

Put the argon/co2 on today and wow!, unbelievable...not even a sizzling sound, just a gentle hum, no sparks flying and nothing to clean up aftewards, plus an obviously much nicer weld.

So..if any of you guys are thinking about it..go for it if you can, welding is so much more fun and rewarding.

 

[slimjim]

Been using Co2 with my new portamig for about 3 weeks, kept reading about the difference if using argon/co2, so found a supplier at what I think is a good deal and got a bottle.

Now in all honesty the co2 was ok, got a decent enough weld and usually the nice sizzling sound.. a few blobs to clean off similar to the old arc welder etc but yes it was ok.

Put the argon/co2 on today and wow!, unbelievable...not even a sizzling sound, just a gentle hum, no sparks flying and nothing to clean up aftewards, plus an obviously much nicer weld.

So..if any of you guys are thinking about it..go for it if you can, welding is so much more fun and rewarding.

Yes, you find that actually your not half bad as a welder all of a sudden


my portamig is on order

 

[aametalmaster]

Don't ditch the CO2 all together its great for an outside welding gas where you can crank it up a little. Its cheaper to waste CO2 in the wind then mix gas. Plus its a great gas to use for gas flux core wire if you ever need to try some of that...Bob

 

[GeorgeB]

Don't ditch the CO2 all together its great for an outside welding gas where you can crank it up a little. Its cheaper to waste CO2 in the wind then mix gas. Plus its a great gas to use for gas flux core wire if you ever need to try some of that...Bob

What you say makes a lot of sense. Also, who needs an immaculate weld bead if it's going to be ground back, or hidden out of view? The cost difference between pub CO2 and argon mix gas is significant and may not always be justified.