Do i really need argon

[plook]

I need to weld a 5mm thick bracket onto the front axle of my Land Rover and my Energas contract has long expired. Do i really need argon/gas to do this. The axle must be about 4-5mm thick and the bracket is the same. I know i'm being cheap but i don't need contract for a full year, i just need a bit of gas or permission to do it with no gas.

SIP MIG Welder.

 

[eil]

If you did not need shielding gas why would gas be used in the first place ?. you can use gasless wire though if your sip is dual purpose.

 

[rikrobson]

If your mig is a gasless machine than you just need the fluxcored wire.
if however you are using a normal MIG then you need Gas either argon mix or CO2.
Not doing so will lead to porosity in the weld resulting in the weld being weak.
If its just a quick weld then you could use disposable gas, but thats about £10-15.
Sounds like you could get a local garage to weldit. someone will do it for beer money surely.

 

[plook]

It's a small job but the part is on the steering arm and it's too bad to drive it around the corner to a garage. I might try my local pub for some CO2. Thanks

 

[NTwoO]

Or rent a stick welder for a day

 

[Wozzaaah]

I'm not meaning to sound rude here but the sort of job you're talking about sounds quite critical yet you're asking a beginner's question which makes me think you've not had much welding experience.
Yes, you need gas if you're using solid wire and you also need a fair bit of power, that's some pretty thick steel you're talking about and if it's related to the steering then it needs to be done properly.
Topmig 150 is pushing it for 5mm, you should really be using 180A+ machine for that.
My advice is get someone else with a bigger machine to do it or do as NTwoO said and rent a stick welder which will handle the thicker steel.

 

[Robotstar5]

It's a small job but the part is on the steering arm and it's too bad to drive it around the corner to a garage.

I don't think an MOT tester would like to see welding on a steering arm?

 

[hotrodder]

^^ Indeed... Section C, static inspection reasons for rejection

d. structural repair by welding to a steering linkage component, or signs of excessive heat having been applied