Argon regulator

[hunter27]

Just got an Argon bottle for mig welding stainless steel and the bottle has an internal thread, my existing CO2 cylinder has an external thread. I plan to convert the connection over and use the same regulator for both Argon and CO2 is this OK ?
Thanks
Pete

 

[backpurge]

No, totally different pressures plus argon is no good for MIG welding stainless steel

 

[madkayaker]

SOME co2 regulators are pressure rated to take argon pressure I remember seeing a few that even have dials graduated for both gases (might be murex ones) but if unsure that yours will fit the cost get a NEW argon regulator

 

[backpurge]

SOME co2 regulators are pressure rated to take argon pressure I remember seeing a few that even have dials graduated for both gases (might be murex ones) but if unsure that yours will fit the cost get a NEW argon regulator

Haven't seen those.
Pete look on the regulator body and check what the pressure rating is before trying to fit it

 

[hunter27]

The reg I am using for CO2 goes up to 315 Bar on the gauge and the Argon cylinder is filled to 137 Bar so hopefully that should be OK but what gas am I supposed to use to mig stainless steel ?
Thanks
Pete

 

[GrahamGKD]

Re. which gas to use - it's complicated. If your application isn't too critical you can get away with argoshield light (I do) - use the forum search and you will find loads of threads on the subject.

 

[backpurge]

The reg I am using for CO2 goes up to 315 Bar on the gauge and the Argon cylinder is filled to 137 Bar so hopefully that should be OK but what gas am I supposed to use to mig stainless steel ?
Thanks
Pete

You'd be far better off using argon + 2.5% CO2

 

[hunter27]

Thanks for all the info. I assumed that because we used pure Argon to tig stainless steel at night school that is what I needed. Hopefully it will work to a point as I have a 9ltr bottle of the stuff now !!!

Pete

 

[backpurge]

When MAG welding stainless you need an active gas component to "focus" the arc and give you penetration, you wil probably find by using argon the weld will tend to sit on top of the material with little or no penetration, I will try and dig out a photo of what you need to be aiming for

 

[GrahamGKD]

Thanks for all the info. I assumed that because we used pure Argon to tig stainless steel at night school that is what I needed. Hopefully it will work to a point as I have a 9ltr bottle of the stuff now !!!

Pete

Pure argon is used for TIG to stop the tungsten burning up.

 

[lshigham]

Thanks for all the info. I assumed that because we used pure Argon to tig stainless steel at night school that is what I needed. Hopefully it will work to a point as I have a 9ltr bottle of the stuff now !!!

Pete

Nope, won't work at all

 

[hunter27]

*removed for legal reasons* in St Helens have been very helpful and said they will swap the cylinder for what I require
So-to Mig weld stainless steel
Can I get away with Argon 5 93%Argon-2.5%CO2-2%O2
or do I need Argon StainWeld Plus 62.5% Argon-35%HE-2.5%CO2 and a lot more expensive ?
It's just to weld stainless bits for my boat.
Thanks
Pete

 

[Welderpaul]

what gas am I supposed to use to mig stainless steel ?
Thanks
Pete

We use BOC Stainshield for Stainless MIG.

 

[backpurge]

If it's going on a boat corrosion is going to be the main issue so you will need to really clean all the welds and adjacent parent material up after welding. This being the case it probably won't make a huge amount of difference which gas you use as you will need to polish the weld surface to get rid of the metallic oxides (discolouration)

 

[Fastfingaz]

Just a little reminder,,, when cleaning your stainless steel be sure to use a stainless steel wire wheel or brush and be sure that it hasn't been used on any other metal besides stainless steel!! because you will contaminate your work!! and it's very hard if not imposible to get OUT!!! IMHO

 

[hunter27]

Thanks for all your answers and suggestions I will order a stainless steel wire brush but have decided to bite the bullet and last night ordered a DC tig welder from R-tech (Christmas present from the wife)

Pete

 

[Shox Dr]

Just a little reminder,,, when cleaning your stainless steel be sure to use a stainless steel wire wheel or brush and be sure that it hasn't been used on any other metal besides stainless steel!! because you will contaminate your work!! and it's very hard if not imposible to get OUT!!! IMHO

And that goes for grinding ferrous metals close by as well. The sparks embed in the SS, staining and rusting. Very very hard to get out

 

[backpurge]

Thanks for all your answers and suggestions I will order a stainless steel wire brush but have decided to bite the bullet and last night ordered a DC tig welder from R-tech (Christmas present from the wife)

Pete

That will make welding stainless so much easier

 

[BrokenBiker]

I would pick dc tig over mig for stainless any day. I use my dc inverter for some tig work and since buying that I haven't even looked at the mig again.

the welders in work use stainshield for stainless mig welding when it has to be done, but more of the time it is all tig with pure argon