You welding types out there...

[ManDownUnder]

Just got me a MIG... very happy camper right now!

I have a couple of gas questions though.

When do I use CO2
When Argon
When Argoshield (12% CO2 88% Argon)?

Also - bottles... where is the best place to buy a DX? What price would I expect?

I have a CO2 Regulator coming with the MIG, do I need a different reg for Argon/Argoshield? If so - what's the difference?

Why are they phasing out refilling privately owned bottles? Is it cornering the market, or is there a law they are simply following?

Anything else I should know/you can think of?
Cheers
MDU

[Colapop]

I don't consider I know anything about welding but my mate has a MIG and uses Soda Stream bottles of CO2 (the small ones). They're cheap as chips for refills ($12 ish) and great for small to medium jobs. I noticed the other day that Farmers also has a larger size bottle available - 10kg I think.

[Eurodave]

Hell yeah!, my MIG was one of the best things Ive ever bought , it opens up a whole new world compared to my arc welder. Im using flux cored wire & the unit has paid for itself many times over already! ABSOROOTINTOOTLY BRILLIANT worth every cent!! To top it all off,I also got me one of those solar powered helmets that go dark the instant I start welding ,now its almost TOO EASY!!

[ManDownUnder]

Hell yeah!, my MIG was one of the best things Ive ever bought , it opens up a whole new world compared to my arc welder. Im using flux cored wire & the unit has paid for itself many times over already! ABSOROOTINTOOTLY BRILLIANT worth every cent!!

Flux cored sounds like a good option.

Any shortcomings re price or versatility?

[ManDownUnder]

I don't consider I know anything about welding but my mate has a MIG and uses Soda Stream bottles of CO2 (the small ones). They're cheap as chips for refills ($12 ish) and great for small to medium jobs. I noticed the other day that Farmers also has a larger size bottle available - 10kg I think.

10kg soda stream bottle - or MIG bottle?

[Eurodave]

Flux cored sounds like a good option.

Any shortcomings re price or versatility?

Price wise, a little dearer ,versatility wise, you need shelter, ie I weld inside the garage [with the door open] works for me!

[Teflon]

Just got me a MIG... very happy camper right now!

I have a couple of gas questions though.

When do I use CO2
When Argon
When Argoshield (12% CO2 88% Argon)?

Also - bottles... where is the best place to buy a DX? What price would I expect?

I have a CO2 Regulator coming with the MIG, do I need a different reg for Argon/Argoshield? If so - what's the difference?

Why are they phasing out refilling privately owned bottles? Is it cornering the market, or is there a law they are simply following?

Anything else I should know/you can think of?
Cheers
MDU

CO2 is your cheapest option.

Depends what your welding aswell.

[Teflon]

What wire you using solid or flux core?

[ManDownUnder]

What wire you using solid or flux core?

Looking at solid - I prefer the clean weld afterwards, and the knowledge there are no inclusions if I do something slightly daft...

[Motu]

CO2 is a cheap option if you are welding good clean mild steel,but away from the ideal you need argoshield,full argon for stainless and alloy.You will need another liner in your hose for alloy,so I run 2 handpieces....but I don't do alloy or stainless these days.For alloy depending on the machine you need wire feed at max,that wire really flies through,so a low friction liner is neccessary.MIG welding is fun and you will be surprised at the good welds you can do in no time....''like,was that me?!'' A couple of pointers - the weld is very very hot close to the weld and retains that heat,much much more than gas or arc - so be careful picking up work,use gloves.Be careful of your penetration,your weld may look nice - but it may be just stuck on top,hit a few pieces with a hammer...I like to ''work'' the weld like gas or arc,stitching and playing with the ''puddle''.

AND DON"T LOOK AT THE GUN WHEN FEEDING THE WIRE,AND DON"T PUT YOUR FINGER THERE TO FEEL IT COME THROUGH! That wire comes out FAST and will go through a finger or eye no worries.

I'll tell you about a freak accident John Anderson had,he builds some beautiful sidecars and is a very good and experianced welder.I think his handpiece fell off the bench,hit the floor and activated the trigger - the wire shot out and pierced a full can of racing fuel and his shop went up in flames,giving him very severe burns.Doesn't matter how experianced you are - shit still happens.

[Eurodave]

Just as a footnote, Im only welding mild steel. As Motu has correctly pointed out youll need a more complex setup if youre welding anything else

[ManDownUnder]

CO2 is a cheap option if you are welding good clean mild steel,but away from the ideal you need argoshield,full argon for stainless and alloy.You will need another liner in your hose for alloy,so I run 2 handpieces....but I don't do alloy or stainless these days.For alloy depending on the machine you need wire feed at max,that wire really flies through,so a low friction liner is neccessary.MIG welding is fun and you will be surprised at the good welds you can do in no time....''like,was that me?!'' A couple of pointers - the weld is very very hot close to the weld and retains that heat,much much more than gas or arc - so be careful picking up work,use gloves.Be careful of your penetration,your weld may look nice - but it may be just stuck on top,hit a few pieces with a hammer...I like to ''work'' the weld like gas or arc,stitching and playing with the ''puddle''.

AND DON"T LOOK AT THE GUN WHEN FEEDING THE WIRE,AND DON"T PUT YOUR FINGER THERE TO FEEL IT COME THROUGH! That wire comes out FAST and will go through a finger or eye no worries.

I'll tell you about a freak accident John Anderson had,he builds some beautiful sidecars and is a very good and experianced welder.I think his handpiece fell off the bench,hit the floor and activated the trigger - the wire shot out and pierced a full can of racing fuel and his shop went up in flames,giving him very severe burns.Doesn't matter how experianced you are - shit still happens.

Cheers.

Re penetrations I'm a fan of playing with scrap for a bit and destructive testing that before doing anything my life will depend on. That was with the old Stick wleder anyways... now I got me a MIG!

Did I mention my new MIG???

[Eurodave]

Cheers.

Re penetrations I'm a fan of playing with scrap for a bit and destructive testing that before doing anything my life will depend on. That was with the old Stick wleder anyways... now I got me a MIG!

Did I mention my new MIG???

As I already mentioned, get yourself one of those auto darkening helmets, I got mine brand new off TardMe for a mere $150 ,again ,worth every cent

[ManDownUnder]

As I already mentioned, get yourself one of those auto darkening helmets, I got mine brand new off TardMe for a mere $150 ,again ,worth every cent

I might give one a go... I'm happy enough with my flip lid at the mo - it's "what I grew up on"...

[Teflon]

For alli you really need a proper hand peice, which has rollers that pull the wire