just changed from co2 to argon

[richiegallon]

Hi everyone, I`ve been lurking on this site for a while now and I feel I have learnt alot from it, I do some car body welding occasionaly and I`ve been using the expensive disposable co2 bottles with results that I`m more than happy with, as is my MOT tester. My question is this, I`ve just got a hobby weld argon mix cylinder which I connected to my MIG, after my co2 ran out, when I was welding a sill onto a Ford KA, I noticed a big difference right away, I did read on here that you have to turn the machine power down which I`ve done but the welder doesn`t seem to make the same sizzling sound as when it was on co2, am I being daft or will there be a noticeable difference in the noise and look of the welds, or do I just need to play about with the settings?
Many thanks in advance, Richie.

 

[shenion]

Argon mix has more of a buzz. CO2 tends to be a hiss on light welds and a bit frantic on heavier stuff.

You will find the wire speed needs to go up a bit. Also, you will have a wider usable range of speed that will work without spatter.

Welcome to the forums

 

[richiegallon]

Hi Scott, thanks for your quick reply, am I right in thinking that I need to turn the power settings down and the wire speed up?

 

[shenion]

Wire speed will be about the same. I find I used the same settings just on the next power setting down.

Did not do much straight CO2. Was experimenting with different mixes (0 to 100% CO2 in 10% steps.) I do remember the wire speed was about the same as I increased the CO2. At 100% CO2 I needed to up the power.

 

[richiegallon]

Brilliant, once again, thanks for taking the time to reply Scott.
Richie.