Shielding Gas MIG

[otpowell]

Does everyone have a separate tank/gas mix for all their different metals that they weld? Say one for steel, one for SS, and one tank for aluminum? Is there a mix that you can use that works good on both mild steel and stainless? I wish I could get a tank of 100% of each gas and there was a special regulator in which you can change mixing ratios and switch gases.. Such a thing exist? Can you use brazing wire on aluminum? I want to weld aluminum sheet but not planning on getting a
Spool gun right off of the bat.. I will be purchasing the hobart 210mvp next week. Still have a lot of learning and reading to do. Planning on getting C25 and learning to weld on mild steel.

 

[shenion]

One gas would not work for all.

There are gas mixers; I have one. I think the list price was $1,700.00.

You could get away with two tanks; pure argon and CO2. Argon for aluminum and stainless then CO2 for mild steel. Not the ideal gasses but will work.

Aluminum MIG is a a pain to do; that was why I got a TIG welder. Once noce thing about TIG is one gas will work for everything.

 

[otpowell]

One gas would not work for all.

There are gas mixers; I have one. I think the list price was $1,700.00.

You could get away with two tanks; pure argon and CO2. Argon for aluminum and stainless then CO2 for mild steel. Not the ideal gasses but will work.

Aluminum MIG is a a pain to do; that was why I got a TIG welder. Once noce thing about TIG is one gas will work for everything.

Man, a TIG machine is so much more expensive though. I am planning on getting the hobart 210mvp for 900.. How much is the cheapest recommendation for a TIG?

 

[shenion]

I paid a couple hundred for a 30-year old ARC/TIG beast. I watched ebay for months and finally fond one local. Craigs list had some too.

It depends on what you want to do. For thin steel, I use MIG. Arc (stick) for most work and TIG for aluminum.

MIG is king for thin metal and fast work. Arc is cheapest to get into but only for steels > 1/16" (can do stainless.)

TIG is nice but difficult to do off the bench. It is also slow but it can weld anything.

It depends on the things you want to weld.

 

[otpowell]

I think I'll stick with mig for now and get a TIG later when I get my degree.. For aluminum, is mig with a spool gun comparable to TIG? Or not even close?

 

[shenion]

MIG is ok on aluminum. You get a cold start so not great for things that need to be air tight.

It is a real fast process; you move the torch twice as fast as welding steel. Takes lots of practice and fiddling with settings to get right.

 

[otpowell]

MIG is ok on aluminum. You get a cold start so not great for things that need to be air tight.

It is a real fast process; you move the torch twice as fast as welding steel. Takes lots of practice and fiddling with settings to get right.

Ahh ok, well, as long as it can be done with a MIG I think I am comfortable with it.. When I have my degree, I'll be able to buy a miller plasma cutter and a 3000 dollar TIG at the same time I can't wait. As well as a mill and lathe and a nice pimped out huge pole barn. I found these TIG welders online. My thing is, I never buy used stuff. Have never owned a used car.. I bought a used airbrush and was disappointed, bought a used scroll saw and was satisfied. On some things I guess it's ok used. I like my stuff to be brand new, and I like to keep it looking brand new and I take great care of my tools and things. I would buy a old TIG and restore it if it was worth it. Take a look at these, I don't know if they are junk or if they are good models or what. I guess I don't know what to look for with TIG because I know absolutely nothing about TIG machines.

 

[shenion]

The first machine does not say the model of the machine. It could be like mine as the Miller version of mine was called a 330.


The second is only for stick welding; it does not have the features needed for TIG.

 

[otpowell]

The first machine does not say the model of the machine. It could be like mine as the Miller version of mine was called a 330.


The second is only for stick welding; it does not have the features needed for TIG.

Thanks for the info. I notice that a lot, people on Craig's list call mig welders TIG welders, etc. I'm just gonna learn the MIG, then buy a TIG. Plasma cutter, and then an O/A setup. Then the CNC mill & lathe. Oh and a burr king 2x72 belt grinder. I'll be in heaven then. Lol .

 

[shenion]

My lathe is 72 years old, my horiz band saw probably 20. Compressor over 20.

I'll take any of them over new stuff.

My TIG welder is hitting 40 years old.

Using the prices when new and considering inflation, the lathe was near $3000, TIG welder near $10k, Compressor $2k.

In all 3, i have less than $1k (more than half is the lathe.)

I'll take the Craftsman lathe over any of the Chinese stuff made today. Anything better would be over $10k.

If you have the money, go ahead and get new high-$$ stuff. I'm on a budget so the old stuff that I can still fix and get parts for is a bargain.

Don't discount used machine tools. If it is old and working, it will outlast most new stuff.

 

[otpowell]

My lathe is 72 years old, my horiz band saw probably 20. Compressor over 20.

I'll take any of them over new stuff.

My TIG welder is hitting 40 years old.

Using the prices when new and considering inflation, the lathe was near $3000, TIG welder near $10k, Compressor $2k.

In all 3, i have less than $1k (more than half is the lathe.)

I'll take the Craftsman lathe over any of the Chinese stuff made today. Anything better would be over $10k.

If you have the money, go ahead and get new high-$$ stuff. I'm on a budget so the old stuff that I can still fix and get parts for is a bargain.

Don't discount used machine tools. If it is old and working, it will outlast most new stuff.

Well, that is great to know! I kind of knew that, just wanted extra validation from someone like you! Thank you!