I've got a gasless Clarke MIG welder (151EN off the top of my head), but am not 100% confident in my welding.
A friend of mine is happy to do most of the welding of the chassis for me but he has only ever used a gas welder.
Is there much difference in the technique of using them? and how easy is it to convert my gasless welder?
Thanks,
ed

Gasless MIG welding is exactly the same as MIG welding with gas, just that the sheilding flux is in the wire as opposed to be in argon/c02 gas form. Oxyacetylene gas welding (if thats what you mean) is completely differewnt.

Cheers

iirc the only difference between gas & gasless is the polarity is changed. Most gasless MIGs have this feature and are designed for outdoor use (the gas just blows away)

normally you can't change a gasless mig to gas as there is no gas valve in trigger,
also no gas feed pipe.

quote:

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Originally posted by martin1973
normally you can't change a gasless mig to gas as there is no gas valve in trigger,
also no gas feed pipe.

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I have the 151en and converted it to gas. It already had the gas trigger and the hose sticking out the back of the machine, just get a regulator and a bottle and get zapping...

IMHO gasless welding is messy...gas welding seems to give stronger cleaner welds... But wont work in the wind so dont build your car in a windtunnel

Dunc

Cheers guys. I pretty sure my gasless can be converted to gas welding - as tegwin has done.
So where can I get a bottle and a regulator? and I assume it will give stronger welds?
Oh, and a stupid question but what gas is used!?

Cheers,
ed

You can get away with CO2 (pub gas) but ideally you want to use CO2+argon which gives a softer arc and a better weld. Disposable bottles are too expensive to use long term (if you are doing a chassis) so you will need to have a word with a BOC rep

Halfords sell bottle and regulators....but better to go to someone like BOC or (IMHO airproducts who give better service) As for gas CO2 helps give more penetration and argon acts as the inert gas for the weld. Typically look for something with about 95% argon and 5% CO2 just to give a nice clean weld but still get good penetration on mild steels.....Oli.

My understanding is that there is little difference in the strength of the welds if it is done properly, but the gasless welds are more ugly and spattered. There are some issues about welding slag into the join if you do multiple passes without wire brushing.
I think that if you know how to weld with gas mig you can easily weld with gasless if you do a few practice welds first.
I'm not an expert , but I have done a course and used different types of machine - my feelings are that gasless migs are great if you are working in cramped space or can't leave your gear set up because you just turn it on and go. The down-side is that you aren't going to want to run around showing strangers your artistic welds.
Cheers
Dave