Argon CO2 or Mix..ready for ridicule

[Showtime]

Hello all, Just bought a Clarke 135TE after reading the (very) insightful postings on this fine board... a message board about welding..brilliant

Intent on abandoning the 'free' bottle and going for a (size) X bottle from BOC (cheaper than Air Liquide where I live).

Don't want to appear a complete dumbhead, but I always thought mig welders ran pure argon..didn't realise they were mixed or could run on CO2.

will ne mainly welding mild steel, but what do the other gases do and whats the advantage of mix..

Thanks everybody..please dont shout...only ever borrowed a welder before

 

[madkayaker]

welcome there is a tread in the gas section on different gases and there usage there is some very exotic blends some of which even contain oxygen!

 

[Omniata]

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/gas-composition.htm

Gives the basic gas compositions and a very "basic" list of thicknesses some are used on....

 

[madkayaker]

thats the one

 

[English Steve]

For general mild steel, an Argon/CO2 mix is recommended. If you are going to use BOC, Argoshield Light would be my suggestion (it's what I use anyway).

Edit: Welcome to the forum

 

[chunkolini]

if you read the small print you will find that most gas blends are Argon/Co2 with a dash of Oxygen thrown in (apologies for not being able to remember the exact ratios). I discovered this by complaining that I had been given the wrong gas. did I feel stupid? yep, the agent even came over to check what was up with it.

You can after a fashion Mig weld with pure argon but it gives a vile lumpy finish and is a complete mess. By this time I was just experimenting, definitely a waste of time, but good to get confirmation that I was not being told a load of old cobblers.

Also you cant Tig weld with Argon?CO2 mix. So yep if you want to use both methods you need both gases.

Chunko'.