Downsides of Gasless MIG

[wobblycogs]

I understand that using shielding gas makes welding easier and that it produces a neater weld but right now I barely have space to store the welder let alone a gas cylinder as well so I'm thinking of going for gasless initially.

My first job is to weld up a steel frame made mostly from 4mm steel sections with a few bits of 2mm sheet for good measure. It's not a job that will be on display so the rougher finish from gasless shouldn't be problem (and I'll hit the weld with a flap disk anyway before painting).

Are there any downsides to gasless in terms of weld strength or anything like that though? Any recommendations of a good beginners gas+gasless MIG welder as well please?

Cheers, Graham

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

My main drawback is that it's WAY more expensive. For what you describe, it'll be okay.

 

[shenion]

Gasless is fine on 2mm and up.

On bodywork, it is a pain as it runs hot.

Get some good gasless wire like the Lincoln NR211, it will be much easier to use. An anti-spatter spray should help clean up.

 

[wobblycogs]

Thanks for that, I don't think I'll be working on thin stuff like bodywork any time soon.

I was just thinking that I might be able to get away with a couple of disposable bottles for my first job as it's only* a bit of tacking together. I'm sure this is a really dumb question but I don't think it was mentioned in the MIG tutorial. Does the torch cut off the supply of gas when the trigger is released or is it flowing all the time?

* only, LOL - I'm sure I'll come to regret that.

 

[Wozzaaah]

On most small gas/gasless welders the torch has a gas valve inside it so when you release the trigger the valve will close.
Bigger machines tend to have a gas solenoid inside the case but the principle is the same, open when the trigger is pressed. closed when it's released.

 

[Cobbler]

It might be worth contacting DrNik, he's from Gloucester as well, & was offering mig welding tuition. A few tips face to face when starting out will make it a lot easier go you. He put a post on yesterday about it on the learning mig welding section

There's quite a few of us from the Glos area on here if you get stuck.

 

[wobblycogs]

Excellent thanks, I've been quite surprised how many Gloucester people I've found on the forum - makes the place feel quite homely :-)

Anyway, I know I said I was looking at gasless initially but I've been scouting around for a gas supply today anyway. Considering the cost of gasless wire I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that I should just bite the bullet and find somewhere to store a small cylinder.

Talking about local resources I came across R-Tech today. I like the look of some of their kit and their service seems to get nothing but praise. They would be really convenient for me, just five minutes down the road. There's also Target Tools just around the corner too who apparently do gas. Anyone here use either place (a search didn't turn much up)?

Cheers

 

[trev0006]

Good to know.

Gasless is fine on 2mm and up.

On bodywork, it is a pain as it runs hot.

Get some good gasless wire like the Lincoln NR211, it will be much easier to use. An anti-spatter spray should help clean up.

 

[mike 109444]

Graham I think if you look at the "shielding gas" section there is a list/spread sheet of suppliers. If I recall there was one listed up in Glous on one of the trading estates. There was also one on the road from Chelt to Stroud I have driven past them just to see what the place looked like as I was going that way. Looks like a car repair type place. Again if I recall a member call GASMAN was eather based up that way or done delivers around there. Reason I noted these is I travel for work around these areas and thought would be ideal to collect on travels. Headach I made was to get one from Jawel paints up in Brum as I seamed to be round there a lot. Well first exchange went ok but next time went to exchange they said "yes just drop the bottle off with us and collect next day cos we don't hold AgCO mix at the shop" well thats no good to me as I am usually only passing on one day...Gerrr. So to anyone going the "no rental" check to see if they swapout or refill yours. IF you have a round trip of say 60miles just to drop off then another 60 next day to collect not such a good ideal and you can't keep welding. I went back to CO2 as it's easer to get and find the welds ok.

 

[mike 109444]

PS graham you could always fit a quick release fitting in the pipe from cylinder to welder (think airline coupling, toolstation at Glous do em cheep) You could uncouple cylinder when done welding and tuck it in a corner or in garden. Just make sure you secure it against falling over

 

[wobblycogs]

I used to work with gas cylinders back when I was in the chemistry lab so I'm aware they need to be treated with respect. Everything had to be screw fittings there (because most of the gases were poisonous) so using a quick release hadn't crossed my mind, that should really help though.

I'll probably pop into R-Tech next week sometime and have a chat with them. I think they'll be a one stop shop for me as they do a couple of welders I like the look of, gas and all the other bits and bobs I'll need to get going.