Mig welding gas?

[Cobraone]

Gentlemen, I just bought a Hobart ironman230 for fab work, I致e been Tig welding for years and have three cylinders of argon in the shop
Question is can I use 100% argon for mig or do I need c25.
I would love to use up one bottle of Argon before before refilling with c25.
Opinions please, I致e never run a mig before.

Thanks in advance for any advice provided

 

[BukitCase]

Not a good plan, sorry -

can pure argon be used for mig welding - Google Search

You might check with your LWS if they will credit you (swap) if one of your cylinders hasn't been used - pure argon costs more than C25, you might get lucky... Steve

 

[Cobraone]

Thanks Steve! I gave it a try, not much luck!
Maybe I can grab the tank from the kegerator ha ha

 

[Cobraone]

Headed back to air gas, with no experience too many variables, what’s better pure co2 or c25 any ideas

 

[BukitCase]

CO2 runs hotter (and cheaper) but quite a bit more spatter - I use C25 in both my migs, get maybe 1 or 2 tiny bb's - cleanup consists of sliding a stiff putty knife along flat surfaces (bb's) and a fine wire brush on a drill... Steve

 

[Cobraone]

Yes way more spatter than tig, last time I’ve seen that much was running 6010 rod ac

 

[yomax4]

Many of the new inverter migs run CO2 pretty well. Not much spatter at all. Still you will be happier with your machine using 75% or more Argon balance CO2.

 

[BukitCase]

Agree; if you wanted prettier welds than C25 (and your ironman has enough oomph) might try a bottle of 90/10 and spray mode - quick, clean, strong.
Downside - flat land welding ONLY, less than about 3/16" thick and you'll burn through. I tried it, decided I'd go back to 5/32 7018 if I needed that much brute force... Steve

 

[dragoneggs]

I've only used C25 and never spray arc... what again are good reasons to use 90/10?

 

[yomax4]

I use 90/10 or 92/8 for nearly everything. Short Arc , Pulse / Twin Pulse and 98/2 for Stainless. I'm not a big spray fan due to having pulse. Everyone has their own favs. Some of the higher tech brands like Fronius, Lorch, OTC, Panasonic and Sanrex weld so well on CO2 for short arc that you can hardly tell what gas they are using.

 

[BukitCase]

"what again are good reasons to use 90/10?"

For you Mark, nuthin' -
1 - costs more, cause there's more argon.
2 - Say goodbye to autoset
3 - Forget your door chart
4 - No OOP in non-pulse spray
5 - The earlier mm211's might ALMOST have the balls to get into spray mode, I've heard of exactly ONE user that CLAIMS he did

Other than those few little things, no prob :laughing: ... Steve

 

[coxhaus]

I use C25 but I think my next tank will be CO2. I want to eventually buy an Argon tank and mix my own. That way if I want C25 I just mix it that way. If I want C10 I just mix it that way. In MIG class we did spray on thicker than 3/16 using C10. But we were using Lincoln 350 MIG machines. The spray sure is pretty. The Lincoln 350 MIG had pulse but we did not cover it in class.

 

[dragoneggs]

"what again are good reasons to use 90/10?"

For you Mark, nuthin' -
1 - costs more, cause there's more argon.
2 - Say goodbye to autoset
3 - Forget your door chart
4 - No OOP in non-pulse spray
5 - The earlier mm211's might ALMOST have the balls to get into spray mode, I've heard of exactly ONE user that CLAIMS he did

Other than those few little things, no prob :laughing: ... Steve

What I thought. Thx.

 

[Cobraone]

Thanks everyone for all the input, I have decided on the c25 gas for most of my mig welding, I guess if I use flux core the machine polarity need to be changed, I have some outside welding to do on a trailer, non structural.
Looks like flux core or stick welding outside

Once again thanks everybody for your input

 

[BukitCase]

Swapping to flux core isn't necessary for outside work UNLESS there's a fairly noticeable breeze - I've even hung a couple tarps up (not TOO close) for a wind break. I usually up the flow to maybe 25 cfh if I can feel ANY breeze on site.

It CAN be kind of a PITA to move a cart and tank, I have two ways around that;
1 - A 30 foot spool gun for the bigger welder, or
2 - My little MM211 is on a "go anywhere" cart
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/387658-container-weld-shop-build-20.html

Which can also double as a tarp anchor.

Disclaimer - I understand that i'm not "normal", you may find it easier to switch ... Steve

 

[yomax4]

Normal yes. I'd do just about anything including stick to not have to run Gasless cored wire.

 

[BukitCase]

Me too, especially since I added this to the herd a few years ago
Power i-TIG 2T - TIG Welders | Everlast Generators

Even a SHORT set of leads weighs more than that little guy, has hot start, arc force, DC tig, and 9 memory slots for either stick OR tig faves... Steve

 

[Mark_D]

100% argon is going to leave you with a ropey weld on MIG. I wouldn't recommend it. C25 for that machine on short circuit.

 

[Cord]

I use 90/10. I have C02, but find myself using 90/10 for even 3/8” plate because the welds are ribbon smooth and splatter free.

 

[Jeepnford]

You might check this out but I’m sure I’ve read that straight CO2 gives better penetration. I use 75/25 but I’m no expert.