How much of a difference does gas make on Mig

[Chris Williams]

Hi all, so I am new to welding here in the usa. I guess I am doing OK with it, the welds dont look too great. I have a regulator and could buy a bottle, and am wondering how much of a difference going away from fluxed wire makes. My guess is that the welds look much better and that the process is easier.

Will it really make a difference. I am mostly just doing hobby type welding projects but would like to build some semi structural items too later

 

[shenion]

It will be much cleaner, no mess, no spatter and no smoke. You will also be able to see the weld pool much better and it is much easier to set the wire speed.

I tried gasless and went right out and got a gas bottle. Will never go back

 

[greyshirtguy]

...and went right out and got a gas bottle. Will never go back

I'll second that - I tried both and decided to pay the monthly rental $13/month about three years ago....still renting even though my use is only 2-3 times a month.

(I still may use gassless - for certain situations such as outside welding, welding metal not perfectly clean and when I want to weld thicker steel that is close to the upper "limit" of my welder - as it welds a bit hotter)

 

[Chris Williams]

That sounds like what I thought, I think I can get a filled tank for about $100 for a 20lb, so it sounds like that is the way to go.

 

[shenion]

Nice thing is there is no forced rental in the US.

I bought an 80CF tank fort $168. Then it was just $48.60 to fill (pure argon, Ar/CO2 is a bit cheaper). I pgraded to a 125CF tank for $14. That means less trips to go have it filled.

You can get a 20 or 40CF tank for probably less than $100. Talk to the gas supplier, they usually sell their tanks a a fair value. Note: if you buy one somewhere else, they will take it and hand you a used one rather than fill yours. Best to start with thier used ones.

20LB would be CO2? Will work and last a real long time. Argon/CO2 mixes work better. I have not filled my CO2 tank in 2 years (only use 25% mixed with my argon though.)

 

[greyshirtguy]

I forgot to mention, Argon mix's are much nicer then plain CO2 (although they are a little more expensive)...

If you'd like more info...this site has some really good tutorial sections that cover the topics of gas/gasless MIG welding...
Gassless MIG Welding
MIG Welding Gas Comparison
Welding Gas reference

 

[irondarren]

chris i have to confess to having never used gasless wire, always used an Argon/co2 mix gas, but from comments made by others on the forum. Gasless is difficult when using or welding carbody thickness material but used on thicker sections its fine, with perhaps more spatter than with gas, but you can always grind that off.

 

[3Rs]

And using "A" gas also prevents Weld pool contamination