Iv been down to halfrauds today to pick up some .6mm wire and some gas but they had no gas in stock. Ok thinks i, il order some and should have enough to get on until it arrives (no regulator so i have no idea how much i had left). Get home and off to the garage to fit new wire. Fitted ok, gone to do yet more practice and welds come out s**t. Just loads of spluttering despite playing with settings. I think (correct me if i am wrong) i am out of gas
If this is the case, what gas should i go for? The gas i have been using is carbon dioxide (came with welder) but i have heard that a mix is better but cant remember what mix it is

Argon/CO2 if you're welding steel.

Thats really weird. I have done exactly the same today - came to use my welder and found out my cylinder is empty - it think they leak if you leave the regulator on all the time. I bought the argon/co2 mix. It is pretty much the same price and I read that it produces tidier welds (i need all the help i can get!).

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Originally posted by twybrow
Thats really weird. I have done exactly the same today - came to use my welder and found out my cylinder is empty - it think they leak if you leave the regulator on all the time. I bought the argon/co2 mix. It is pretty much the same price and I read that it produces tidier welds (i need all the help i can get!).

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Just thought of another problem. No where is open tommorrow because it is bank holiday

Were i work we use a gas called universal light / mix its argon / co2
but at home i use a pub bottle co2
do you know a land lord
jacko

No

welds what size welder do you have ? has it a small power out put looking at your welds it looks a bit low on power + wire speed to high
Jacko

Its a clarke 151 Turbo cheers

Argoshield is best for steel but you can use CO2 - it just gives a 'harder' arc.

i have found that even with the regulator removed, the mini disposable bottles empty themselves over time

IMHO, the disposable bottles are a 100% waste of money, better stumping up for a proper regulator and a small argo light from BOC. Will total about £90, then £45 ish a year rental, but, better welds, and you can get on with the job when you want, and see how much gas you've got left.
Rgds.
Pete.

Have a ring around the independant gas suppliers you may be pleasantly suprised at the price of proper gas.

There was a guy on the mig welding forum advertising cheap gas in the south east, could have been kent, but worth searching on that site.

EDIT - the 110ltr machine mart argon/co2 mix bottles last a fair while if you turn the output down, you will hear the output if you pull the trigger on very lightly.

[Edited on 31/12/07 by Mansfield]