What gas

[josh10]

Help
Is it possable to use the same gas for both MIG and TIG welding, I have been told that it is but can not get a clean 'nice' TIG weld using the gas that I use MIG welding, If its not the gas what else could be causing the weld to look a bit, well useless really.
Thanks for any advice, all gratefully received.

 

[the snooper]

for tig you want pure argon

 

[Jammy James]

you can use argon for tig and mig for aluminuim

 

[Wozzaaah]

Post some detailed pics please Josh, 'a bit usesless' is...well...a bit useless to us without seeing what they look like.

 

[josh10]

Thanks for replys
Sorry cant put pictures on but its very black, and rough, as though the gas is reacting with the metal or the filler isnt right, tried different ones of these though. its almost 'spikey' and holey rather than smooth and showing the rings from the pools, if you see what I mean, like lots of little volcanos. I think I might try a bottle of pure argon as the snooper sugested, the bloke as told me I could use the same gas was the same on as sold me the welder!!mmmmmm. Should be able to try gas tommorow so I will let you all know.
Could it be that Im not cleaning the material enough first, how much cleaning does it need??

Many thanks again
Josh10

 

[shenion]

You can not use MIG has on TIG. Must be pure argon or Ar/He mix.

Anything else will contaminate the tungsten and work.

 

[Wozzaaah]

It will react, it's not suitable for TIG welding as has been said. It will contaminate the weld and the tungsten and will make a complete mess as you've found out.
Whoever told you you can use mig welding gas for tig gave you incorrect information.
As Snooper says, pure argon for tig.

 

[josh10]

Thanks again to you all
I have tried the pure Argon as you have suggested and has worked a treat. It almost looks resectable now!! I think the rest is down to the operator!!!. But it does look a lot lot better.

Many Many thanks

 

[chunkolini]

It took me two years to find that one out.
I struggled and stuggled, never thought to ask what gas I should use.
Even the 'expert' who came to visit didn't ask. Pillock.

Chunko'.

 

[Highpower]

Follow-up question.

It is the Carbon element in the Argon/CO2 mix used for MIG welding that contaminates the Tungsten/work piece if using the TIG process, is it not? I thought that was the reason it was bad to dip the tungsten in the puddle when welding steel?

Still learning as I go.

 

[hotrodder]

CO2 is dissociated into CO and oxygen which then oxidises the tungsten and makes a mess. Dipping the tungsten just coats it in steel (or whatevers being welded) and makes a mess

 

[Highpower]

Ok then - bad information. That is why I asked.
Disregarding dipping the tungsten, I suppose it makes more sense that it is the Oxygen content that does the oxidizing. Why else would you need shielding gas if not to avoid the oxygen in the atmosphere?

Thank you sir.

 

[josh10]

High Power, still learning as you go.
Me to every day.

Someone once told me the day you stop learning you dont know as much as you think you do!
Thanks again for all the advice

 

[Highpower]

High Power, still learning as you go.
Me to every day.

Someone once told me the day you stop learning you dont know as much as you think you do!

When I was young I thought I knew it all and was never wrong.

It turns out that I was wrong about both.