Shield gas mixer

[TMGT]

I have a need for at least 3 different gas mixes for my mig and don't feel like having 3+ different dedicated bottles laying around when some aren't used very often.

My common mixes are 75/25, 85/15-95/5 and straight argon for the spool gun.

I was planning on just using one of my 330 for straight argon and a 120 for CO2 and getting a Smith mixer to simplify things.

Smith says accuracy within 2%, anyone have any experience with the mixers and how well they work?

 

[Gary Fowler]

I ran TIG a lot when I worked as a Pipe welder back in the last millennia and I am getting a TIG rig for free and will be buying a bottle for pure argon. What would happen with MIG if using 100 % argon rather than 75/25 mix. I have never tried it before so I dont know if it would work or not. I am like you, dont want to have to buy two bottles but would like to use MIG and TIG if 100% Argon would work, otherwise I would have to just use FCAW and my TIG. I dont need to weld much so a bottle would last a long time so demurge on a rented bottle would eat up the cost quickly.

 

[RNeumann]

I’ve never used a “mixer” but they make “Y”s. If your flow meters are good you can mix yourself with that.

They do it with Helium-


Tig Welding Aluminum with Argon Helium Mix - YouTube

 

[Big Barn]

Wait for yomax4 to see this. He will have good answers for you.

 

[TMGT]

What! You don't have one BB? I find that hard to believe.

I figured yomax or Mark@everlast would chime in sooner or later.

 

[yomax4]

I have enjoyed using a mixer ( Smith & or Victor ) for about 13 years. It really does simplify things like obtaining 98/2 Argon CO2 for small stainless projects. CO2 is pretty inexpensive and straight Argon is less than a mix. Many of the new machines run great on straight CO2 so that is just a spin of the dial away from gas savings. The only downside I can think of would be the need to add a spot for the mixer on your cart or table or have long hoses to drag around. The inspiration was the same for me. Too many bottles lined up along the wall. Every gas is just a dial turn away including crazy gas savings using CO2 on non critical fab jobs. They can be cost prohibitive but if you're planning on welding or putzing around like I do they do pay for themselves over time. Watch for a nice used or recalibrated one and act fast. They sell quickly.

 

[TMGT]

Thanks yomax, good to hear. I have to build a cart for my wire feed setup anyways (xmt304 with 24a feeder) so I'll be able to incorporate a spot for the mixer.

 

[Big Barn]

Thanks yomax, good to hear. I have to build a cart for my wire feed setup anyways (xmt304 with 24a feeder) so I'll be able to incorporate a spot for the mixer.

Like this ?

 

[TMGT]

Showoff!

Mine probably won't be that fancy, I am making an all aluminum cart for my tig though.

 

[Big Barn]

.

 

[yomax4]

Like this ?


View attachment 640371

You definitely have the Midas touch..

 

[TMGT]

The real question is it finished BB? Like to see how its laid out.

The next thing I want is a dual feeder so I dont have to deal with switch between solid wire and dual shield!

 

[Big Barn]

This is the cart that holds my XMT350. It is set up for two shorter tanks which would not be suitable for you. It has holders for a spool gun and a spot for the WC24 contactor.

Feeder on top and BB “tip and drop” holder to secure Miller Extreme plasma cutter OR Miller Maxstar 150





Here’s a pic of two tanks per cart



Here’s the original cart I posted with a Syncrowave I have since sold. The cart will need to be modified to accommodate a different welder if it requires two tanks.



Perhaps a more revealing photo prior to paint.

 

[Big Barn]

TMGT if you haven’t built the cart yet think about provision to house extra gear you may add in the future.

Being such a versatile power source there is lots of stuff you will want to add to your XMT.

Eg.
Push pull control box for aluminum



Or HF box for tig

 

[TMGT]

I was thinking about putting a removable reciever to add and extra mount, but I doubt I'll add anything other then the Optima pulser and a 30a/WC-24 I have for it now.

I have a Dynasty 280dx so I don't see me using the xmt much for tig.

 

[Big Barn]

I was hesitant to buy the Optima Pulser because all the reviews I read made it sound NOT user friendly. Plus the cost of the pendant new was outrageous.

I decided to spend a few bucks more and buy a used Miller 350P with a Bernard Mig gun AND Cobra push pull. Turns out I wasn’t smart enuf to dial that in either. I really struggled with settings. It would work well for a big shop that used it all day and not for someone like myself.

Fortunately a good friend needed a big machine for his aluminum jobs and I sold it to him.

 

[TMGT]

I'd love to have a xmt350p, the optima happened to come with my 304 when I bought it. Seems to work decent the few times I used it for alum. Really want to try it on steel but I don't have the right gas mix, hence the thread

 

[Big Barn]

That was really fortunate with the XMT coming with the Optima!

It’s the same with buying most used machines. You’re way farther ahead spending a few bucks more on a machine loaded with tooling than a cheap priced bare machine.

 

[Big Barn]

I was thinking about putting a removable reciever to add and extra mount, but I doubt I'll add anything other then the Optima pulser and a 30a/WC-24 I have for it now.

I have a Dynasty 280dx so I don't see me using the xmt much for tig.

Let me know if you decide to DC tig with the XMT. I have an extra gas solenoid valve with pig tail for plug and play (if your machine doesn’t have one) that you can have. It’s light I can just mail it out to you.

I sold one of my two XMT 350’s and I saved the solenoid for the welder I kept but I will never need it. I can just use the torch valve if I tig.

I just looked to be sure I still had it

It has a panel plug for the front of your machine.

 

[TMGT]

Wow BB that is a very generous offer! I actually would probably use the xmt for tig, I just didn't want to buy a valve torch that would only get used on it.

I havent used the xmt for tig yet but my buddy said it welds very nice, and considering he has about a dozen xmt 304/350's plus a couple Dynasty DX from the 210-350 I figure he would know lol.