Argon and Co2 or Co2 or Argon neat...........

[Poggle]

Ok, now my head hurts. Lots of pros and cons on all the sellers website. What do YOU guys say? I will be welding my car exhaust sometime next week. It is now got religion. What gas to use, Argon/Co2 mix or neat Argon. I am told that Co2 is naff coz it splatters like crazy and the metal gets a tad warm?

John

 

[W4yne]

Hi,

If the exhaust is not stainless but mild steel, and you don't intend to weld anything thicker than 4-5mm mild steel, I use a 95% Argon 5%Co2 mix, which is ideal for thin metal "car" welding. Pure Argon is only really used for stainless or Aluminium.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Not sure where you've seen it said to use pure argon but it's wrong, ar/co2 mix is what you need.
The metal gets a tad warm whatever gas you're using, if it didn't you wouldn't be able to weld it.

 

[Poggle]

Hi,

If the exhaust is not stainless but mild steel, and you don't intend to weld anything thicker than 4-5mm mild steel, I use a 95% Argon 5%Co2 mix, which is ideal for thin metal "car" welding. Pure Argon is only really used for stainless or Aluminium.

It is a 1983 Mazda 626LX.......Probably hadn't heard of stainless for exhausts back then It is mild steel. My mechanic has welded it in the past but I want to do it myself this time. Argon and Co2 it is then

John

 

[shenion]

CO2 is not bad to weld with; Mine are spatter free. It is harder on thin metal as the penetration is wider. It is cheap to use.

95/5 is too cold in short arc and is normally used for spray transfer. What most refer to as 5% CO2 is 93/5/2 Ar/CO2/O2 or similar.

Use the gas your supplier recommends.

 

[backpurge]

Hi,

If the exhaust is not stainless but mild steel, and you don't intend to weld anything thicker than 4-5mm mild steel, I use a 95% Argon 5%Co2 mix, which is ideal for thin metal "car" welding. Pure Argon is only really used for stainless or Aluminium.

You don't want to be MIG welding stainless with pure argon

 

[W4yne]

You don't want to be MIG welding stainless with pure argon

Sorry backpurge you are correct, sorry "long day at the office" I should have just posted this.

http://www.boconline.co.uk/en/produ.../shielding-gases/stainshield/stainshield.html


It would have been easier.

 

[Wallace]

Poggle, I'm guessing your Rhyas Mig has a regulator for the disposable cylinders that do not last very long so now might be the time to bite the bullet and go straight to a full size bottle and regulator which may save you a lot of money. Old exhausts can be a nightmare to weld so you are likely to use a lot of gas.

Mike

 

[Poggle]

Poggle, I'm guessing your Rhyas Mig has a regulator for the disposable cylinders that do not last very long so now might be the time to bite the bullet and go straight to a full size bottle and regulator which may save you a lot of money. Old exhausts can be a nightmare to weld so you are likely to use a lot of gas.

Mike

Just ordered a 2 litre jobby for now as I am a poor person and cann't afford the £100 and odd for the hobbyweld 5 setup