CO2 for MIG with beer regulator?

[jake98]

Anybody use a beer keg regulator on a MIG set up? I have one of those that isn't being used (sniff, sniff) and CO2 tanks that I run air nailers with. Was wondering if it would work on my soon to be delivered MIG welder?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Not sure what MIG you have, but pure CO2 is not fun to weld with, unless you can control the inductance. You'll need to be able to finely control the gas flow in the neighborhood of 15-30 cubic feet per HOUR. Not sure how the beer regulators meter. Those little CO2 cylinders will only last a few minutes. You'll like need something larger. I know the passport will accept CO2 cylinders, but operation time is limited and being an inverter it'll handle the CO2 a little better.

 

[jake98]

Thanks Mark, I'll buy a tank.

 

[ayelvington]

Adding welding to my list of gas uses was a change of pace and I want to clue you in. I used to scuba dive (owned my tanks) and I make hard cider (own my tanks); but I haven't found anyone around that is willing to give you back your own tank used for welding gas. They all seem to run a bottle exchange program that you have to buy into. What you get is gas, and they do all of the maintenance on the bottles. I wasn't happy about it, but when in Rome...

Shop around and compare prices. I used to work at a Tractor Supply Co. store, and I seem to recall that our prices were higher than the local welding supply folks. You be the judge.

As for regulators, HF has a very affordable regulator that is incremented in volume/time. Throw in the 20% discount and it pays for shipping. I have one on the way to replace my current regulator that i can't read anymore.

Enjoy!

 

[jake98]

Yeah Al, I got educated to the ways of the tank world when I bought the more expensive aluminum tanks for my kegerater setup. It was 'wait a week and a half, or take what we have..'
Airgas is local as is TSC, but I think the bigger tanks from Airgas makes the cost of the gas about half the price, so I'll probably go jump thru their hoops and lease one. The welder comes with a regulator flow meter.

 

[kennyd]

What welder are you buying? Most decent gas-ready welders come with the appropriate regulator.

 

[jake98]

I ordered Hobart's Ironman 230 Kenny.

 

[kennyd]

I ordered Hobart's Ironman 230 Kenny.

Well, that comes with the gas hookup, regulator and hose. No need to try to use your beer keg one...

 

[jake98]

Well, that comes with the gas hookup, regulator and hose. No need to try to use your beer keg one...

I read that CO2 gives a little better penetration, and I have a couple tanks of it, so I was just thinking.. what I read didn't say anything about it being harder to weld with. I'll go with the mixed gas. :thumbsup: I can always go back to the AC buzzbox, if my welds start to look too good..

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

CO2 does give better penetration, but if you like dealing with spatter and burns....

 

[yomax4]

CO2 is to the Mig world what 6011 is to the Stick world. However. The new Inverters that are coming out have an Inductance control so you can dial out the spatter and save 1/2 on you Mig gas bills.

 

[weldermike]

I have one machine set up with dual shield flux core and straight co2 and that welds like a dream, may want to look into that set up, think you would be happy with it, I wouldnt steer you wrong bud. Blows through dirty and welds like a dream on clean, some spatter though.

 

[Shield Arc]

I love dual shield, best of both worlds:thumbsup:. Been quite sometime since running any with CO2 tho.

 

[ray66v]

It's not ideal, but over the years, I never had a problem getting a beer CO2 regulator, or an acetylene regulator adapted to fit, to work with a mig.

I recently tried the CO2 & flux core wire combination, and I like it too, especially since I do most of my welding outside.

If you need a better appearance, a trick to help keep the splatter from sticking is to spray the adjacent area with an aerosol nozzle shield.

I just don't weld enough anymore to justify the expense of switching to CO2/argon, so I keep putting it off.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

UU UU UU UU UU butt cheeks all the way.

 

[weldermike]

BUTT CHEEKS? Have you ever tried dual shield with a straight co2, if not give it a try, it is the smothest nicest welds you can get out of a mig, espescially on clean steel. Makes a beginner look good. Give it a shot and well see whos sniffin butt cheecks. LOL!

 

[jake98]

I barely got the thing put together and you guys are changing the game already!

What polarity?

 

[jake98]

I love dual shield, best of both worlds:thumbsup:. Been quite sometime since running any with CO2 tho.

Are the edges good on that?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

BUTT CHEEKS? Have you ever tried dual shield with a straight co2, if not give it a try, it is the smothest nicest welds you can get out of a mig, espescially on clean steel. Makes a beginner look good. Give it a shot and well see whos sniffin butt cheecks. LOL!

I was referring to Shield Arc's weld. That's what we call that pattern around here. Looks like butt cheeks hanging out. Nothing against you or even Shield Arc's welding ability.
:ashamed:

 

[yomax4]

Yes, Most Dual Shield cored wires are spec'd out with CO2 and Mix'd gas. The post was about Hard Wire. I too enjoy cored wires but they are on their way out, Why? Pulse and Twin Pulse. No spatter no slag. Dual Shield doesn't seem to perform in the wind any better than hard wire. Plain Flux Core yes..Visit a big iron production plant and they have switched from 71T1 (dual shield) to 80SD2 and they run it on Pulse. Cool Butts on these welds too. Don't get me wrong, I loved the 71T1 wire..Sold millions of ###'s.