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.