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Wedg1e
They call me Mr. Bodge-angles
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CO2 is the cheap and cheerful option, BOC Argoshield (Argon/CO2 mix) is better but more expensive.
I see you're in Clones, presumably the one in Co. Monaghan? One of my clients is there (or was)... CPV. I could never find the place, it always seemed like I drove into town a different way every time!
I see you're in Clones, presumably the one in Co. Monaghan? One of my clients is there (or was)... CPV. I could never find the place, it always seemed like I drove into town a different way every time!
backpurge
Member
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Weldmix 18 has too much CO2 for thin material like car bodywork etc, the weldpool will be too hot and you'll end up with loads of spatter
Go for something with between 5 and 12% CO2
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yeh thats the place im from
its a big place but it would b hard to find if you didnt know where to look how much would a small bottle of BOC argoshield cost ?
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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No it will be about right.
5% CO2 mixes also have 2-3% of O2 that makes it just as hot as about 20% CO2.
Here we use 75/25 Ar/CO2 and it is no problem on thin metal and spatter free.
backpurge
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"5% CO2 mixes also have 2-3% of O2 that makes it just as hot as about 20% CO2."
This is where there is a difference in opinion between the UK and you guys in the States, CO2 carries more heat across the arc than O2, this is a fact, so how does a gas that has 7% active components (2% of which are cooler anyway) transfer as much heat as one with 20% active components ?
Also O2 effects the weldpool in a different way than CO2. Carbon Dioxide heats the weldpool deeper down so influences things like penetration and fusion whereas O2 heats the surface so has a bearing on fluidity, side wall wetting, spatter generation etc.
This is where there is a difference in opinion between the UK and you guys in the States, CO2 carries more heat across the arc than O2, this is a fact, so how does a gas that has 7% active components (2% of which are cooler anyway) transfer as much heat as one with 20% active components ?
Also O2 effects the weldpool in a different way than CO2. Carbon Dioxide heats the weldpool deeper down so influences things like penetration and fusion whereas O2 heats the surface so has a bearing on fluidity, side wall wetting, spatter generation etc.
Lawnmowerboy
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BP so your saying in essence that im getting deeper penetration using good old co2 than if i switched to argoshield lite?
backpurge
Member
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You will probably get a deeper narrower penetration bead with pure CO2, this doesn't mean it is an ideal selection as there are many other factors that need considering when welding commercially that are not relevant for hobby/DIY stuff. (The reason so few welding/fabrication companies use CO2)
Soup Bones
New Member
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I use Co2/arg mix on thin sheet (3/32) and it's great for thin material, it also depends on what your parameters are set too. Short circuiting is obviously your best bet (17V/200). Co2 alone will run way too hot, you need a mix.
Agautosport
Member
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whats the best shielding gas to use for a mig welder ? it will b mainly used for welding gates,cars,bikes and sheet metal
Hi ,
If you are looking for a simple rent free option for 5% CO2/Argon mix try any of our distributors in Ireland . Top Part Motor Factors in the south or Fyfes vehicle and engineering supplies in the north.
Alan
Southwest Gas Supplies Ltd
