Well I finally bought the gas and now I'm just waiting for my conversion kit to come

What shoud I know before I start welding with gas, is there a certain psi I should set the gas at ? Also what is the secret on laying a nice bead where it does not look like one solid line, but little half moons ?

Also anyone have any tips they would like to share ?

 

I would like to know about the GAS settings also,. Whats best for Mild/SS STEEL? 100% Argon?

Heres what I just picked up, and I finally just tested it. WOW! I got maybe 10 minutes or less of welding done in my life.. I think I can lay nice welds/beads even without the GAS, only flux core wire. I will need to pick up a TANK of gas tomorrow, any suggestions and avg prices for gas/tank?

I know its lots of questions, sorry to steal your thread somewhat, Im sure its something that you may find useful to know also. Were on the same boat.

Heres what I picked up.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1218980

 

Try creating a "pool" then welds circle overlapping one another, moving by half circles?

Blah, Im still a newb at things, but it sure seem to work for me.

PRATICE PRATICE As they all say, but hey.. They're right.

 

For mild steel 75% argon 25% co2 is good

I just went today and picked up a bottle, I asked for an 80cf bottle but she said they had 92q or something. ( yesterday when I talked to the guy on the phone, I asked for a price quote on an 80cf bottle and he said 150 ) and today the bottle the lady gave me cost 150 so I'm guessing there the same thing. Anyone want to explain the size though ?

Anyways it was 150 for the bottle, 33.50 to fill it up. First time customers payed half to fill it up. The best deal I could find around here.

I have been flux core welding for about a year, and I have been gas welding ( with a torch ) and arc welding for a year

 

80CF, filled with argon cost me no more than $125. Each argon refill is $18 or $19. Check another supplier first.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by parasonic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">80CF, filled with argon cost me no more than $125. Each argon refill is $18 or $19. Check another supplier first.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I checked 2 other places and they were more. Actually one was a couple bucks cheaper but it was about 1 hour and 30 mins away, this one is 5 mins away.

Should I use teflon tape for any of the seals ?

 

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

I checked 2 other places and they were more. Actually one was a couple bucks cheaper but it was about 1 hour and 30 mins away, this one is 5 mins away.

Should I use teflon tape for any of the seals ? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Its recommended to do so, so you wont leak gas. So yes.

"For mild steel 75% argon 25% co2 is good" Would this do SS Steel also?

This is the Chart on my welder. But I would like to know whatever thats cheaper, and works just as nice. Any other suggestions?

 

Some people like to use 100% argon when doing stainless steal. But me not being rich, will just use the 75%argon 25% co2 mixture.

Also here are some greatl inks
http://lincolnelectric.com/kno...t.asp
http://www.hobartwelders.com/techtips.html

If I can find my chart that Licoln provides, I will post it up also.

 

You guys are near stealing the bottles!

I paid $150 for a 40cf cylinder.
But it only costs me $15 to refill it.

How do u get the pool look ? I get just continuous strings..

 

Heres a useful link.

http://www.norco-inc.com/indus...o.htm
http://www.welding.com/technic...shtml

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You guys are near stealing the bottles!

I paid $150 for a 40cf cylinder.
But it only costs me $15 to refill it.

How do u get the pool look ? I get just continuous strings.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Whats the pool look ? I would think thats one long looking weld, am I right /

 

Gas flow is measured in CFH, or cubic feet per hour. Set your flow 7-15cfh. If you still aren't getting good coverage, you can always turn it up. As far as mig goes, I set it to the lowest I can to spare gas.

You can follow the settings on a machine, but they are merely a starting point for a beginner. From that point, play with the wire speed for different results. I'd also recommend starting on some 1/8" or something, as it is alot easier to learn on.

As far as pure argon for stainless goes...I would NOT recommend this to any beginner. The weld puddle is extremely unstable and "fuzzy", and without experience, it can be very difficult to control. I'd recommend a tri mix with 6% helium, 2% argon, 2% co2. Try not to exceed 2% co2 on your sheilding gas with stainless, as you do not want to be depositing too much carbon into your weld.

 

Thank you, any ideas on how to get that nice half moon look ? More heat maybe ?

 

When your tack weld, should the gas be on or off ?

 

on

 

Hey guys....I have read the entire post and read all the questions, but not sure I can remember them all, but I will try. Tack welding, gas should always be on as stated before. The "stacked dime" effect that it seems everyone is so interested in is a technique yes, but also a type of welding. I also have the small MIG machines it seems most of you have, and it is very possible to get that "look" from these machines, although it doesnt mean anything. Appearance means nothing in welding....dont focus on the stacked dime effect so much. Work on getting your beads penetrating well, being able to look at a joint ready to be welded and know exactly what to set your machine at, etc. If you feel you are far enough to try the stacked dime effect, heres the easiest way to fo it.....first off, it uses the exact same settings as a good looking "straight line" weld, no more heat or anything. When you first strike the arc, just move your "puddle"(molten metal) in small little circles, moving forward with each circle. So, make a little circle, continue the circular motion while moving forward. To make it look right, you have to have great control of your hands, must be steady and must be able to repeat the same size circles over and over. Hope that helps.
As for gas/bottles and pricing. I use 75/25 mix(argon and co2) and I think I paid $130 for the tank filled the first time, then just exchange them every time i go in for like $40 or so. How much gas to use? On the regulator, I usually dont run anymore than 20 cfm while the trigger is pulled. If your welding in windy conditions....turn your gas up as the wind will carry your gas away with it, causing contamination of the weld.
I think thats it, but maybe not. Sorry if I didnt cover your question.
GOOD LUCK!
Kyle

 

Thanks

Are the regulators 1 way regulators, for some reason if I turn the psi up to much, I can't get it to back drop down by the regulator.

 

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

Are the regulators 1 way regulators, for some reason if I turn the psi up to much, I can't get it to back drop down by the regulator.</TD></TR></TABLE>pull the trigger. The pressure needs somewhere to go!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Formula Racing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">pull the trigger. The pressure needs somewhere to go!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess I am just use to my air compressor regulator. Also I have 2 gauges on my regulator, one is psi, the other one is ??? It says 2000 its set at, anyone know ?

 

one is pressure that u are getting (regulated pressure) the other is tank pressure

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cstay &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">one is pressure that u are getting (regulated pressure) the other is tank pressure</TD></TR></TABLE>

So is tank pressure usually the same for all tanks ? Or the bigger the tank, the more pressure ?

Is there any marking on the tank to see how big it is ? I asked for 80cf, and she said they only had 92q ( I swear she said q ) but the day before I talked to one of the guys and they said they had 80cf. Well they quoted me 150 for the tank, and the 92q was the same price, so I'm guessing there the same size.

 

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

So is tank pressure usually the same for all tanks ? Or the bigger the tank, the more pressure ?

Is there any marking on the tank to see how big it is ? I asked for 80cf, and she said they only had 92q ( I swear she said q ) but the day before I talked to one of the guys and they said they had 80cf. Well they quoted me 150 for the tank, and the 92q was the same price, so I'm guessing there the same size.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Same pressure, just more CF of it!

 

Anyone have any ideas on why I have some splatter going on ? I have my gas at 15 to 17 psi, should I up the gas little ?

 

i Normally run my gas around 25... But im just a newb at welding... But it seems to keep the splatter to a minimum.. Id love to find out what a good setting is myself..

jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jp8900 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i Normally run my gas around 25... But im just a newb at welding... But it seems to keep the splatter to a minimum.. Id love to find out what a good setting is myself..

jon</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe we could get some more opinions. Here are a few of my welds. In a few sports its almost like some of the weld had slag on it and chipped of. Whats that caused from