98AccordEX

i have a Craftsman gas/no-gas welder. i've always used it with flux-core. but i want to upgrade it to gas. i've never used gas except at my welding class and i never really looked at how it hooks up. so if you guys could look at these 2 pics and tell me what the additional things are in the 1 pic that would be great



btw - i obviously know the wire and tips

can you guys also tell me what parts connect to what? i know when i have all the parts in front of me it will be easy to tell but i just wanted to know beforehand. i'm basically very new to welding. i've used flux-core for little projects. then i took an arc and oxy/ace class in which i made it through everything with 4 classes to go and messed with the mig a little. and in 2 weeks i start the mig and tig class in which if i like tig i'm going to buy a tig but all the other threads have me debating between the 180 synchro, TA185, and lincoln 185. but i'll worry about that later

also - when i go buy a gas bottle do they all use the same connections? like will these kits work for all the bottles out there?

also again - the top pic is $120 and the bottom pic is $80 from Sears. is the first kit worth the $40 difference? (i already have the tips)

98AccordEX

i know people know the answer to this. can someone just help a little?

92integra_gs

yea i also want to know also if its possible?

sporkcrx

When I converted mine, I just went to the welding store, bought a tank and regulator, and went home and put it together. There was some little nylon hose coming out of my machine, and I had to cut off one of the fittings on that thick black hose, and it had a hose clamp to a fitting for the nylon. Hard to explain in words, but it was super easy. Just buy the stuff and you'll do it no problem.

I also had to flip the polarity on my machine, you probably have to do the same. But man, going from flux to gas is awesome

98AccordEX

alright well i just ordered the top one. its on sale for $98. now i just need to go to a gas supplier that i find. anyone know of any that are around Harrisburg, PA?

JunY

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98AccordEX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">alright well i just ordered the top one. its on sale for $98. now i just need to go to a gas supplier that i find. anyone know of any that are around Harrisburg, PA?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Try Praxair.

http://www.praxair.com

RCautoworks

I need to order one soon for my Lincoln electric machine, hoping it will come with instructions.

BlkslowCRX

ok i have a Lincoln MiG but here goes. the gas solonoid mounts on the inside of the welder some where near the back so the line can run from it out of the back to the gas reg.the black nylon line runs thru the welder down to the front where there should be a nipple by the wire feed. the coiled sleeve replaces the one inside the cable and comes out the tip. there is more to it. you have to switch the poloraity inside the machine also. i know this is very vague but im not sure how the inside of the machine is set up but craftsmen should have a MiG conversion for you machine. it should match the part number. if you have any other questions ill do my best to help ya out.

98AccordEX

Craftsmans website doesnt list any kit for it and i asked one of the guys at the store and he said hes never heard of a Craftsman kit for it. i hope my Lincoln kit will work for it. if not i'll just rig something together and make it work

btw - what size bottle does everyone have for just around the house kind of stuff and making things here and there? and what gas? i've read that a lot of people recommend 75/25. is that good for misc things made out of mild steel?

RCautoworks

Interesting sears sells bottles now, but I don't think there very big

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...cs=e5

And sears sells this

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...cs=e5

Kind of odd because they sell the hobart conversion kit and the lincoln electric kit but I did not see the one specifically for the craftsman welder.

98AccordEX

i just got my Lincoln conversion kit in the mail today. i'll hook it up tomorrow and let you guys know that are interested

RCautoworks

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98AccordEX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i just got my Lincoln conversion kit in the mail today. i'll hook it up tomorrow and let you guys know that are interested</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sounds good, how much did you pay for the kit ?

oxSLEEPERxo

i was wondering if i can convert mines to a gas welder? I have a Mig 100 gasless welder only which is flux core (Brought it from Harbor Freight)

JunY

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by oxSLEEPERxo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was wondering if i can convert mines to a gas welder? I have a Mig 100 gasless welder only which is flux core (Brought it from Harbor Freight) </TD></TR></TABLE>

Check if there's a gas line on the back of the machine. If yes, you could convert over to gas. The wire feed should be able to use other diameter wires.

oxSLEEPERxo

there is no gas line in back

JunY

Then you cant convert it to a GMAW. You would need to buy a new welder, and stick with the FCAW.

Sorry to disapoint you.

AspectIndustries

eekk! I have had this kit included when I bought my Craftmens Welder also. Hmm, about time I remember and hook this thing up!

98AccordEX

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Sounds good, how much did you pay for the kit ? </TD></TR></TABLE>

i paid $98 shipped for it (the top one pictured in my first post)

RCautoworks

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98AccordEX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i paid $98 shipped for it (the top one pictured in my first post)</TD></TR></TABLE>

You hook it up yet ?

98AccordEX

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 90blackcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You hook it up yet ?</TD></TR></TABLE>

well i'm not sure where i should connect the wires to. the instructions are for the Lincoln mig pak100 and my Craftsman doesnt use the same wiring. and i cant find the book for my welder so i'm not sure. plus i cant find anything online about it. so i'm gonna take it to my class on tuesday and ask my professor. other than that i have everything hooked up

RCautoworks

Hmm I have the lincoln 100, so what kit did you buy. Could you link me.