MIG - 100% CO2 or 75%/25% Argon/CO2

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Hi everyone,I ask for your advice regarding the gas to use with my new Lincoln 180 MIG, the manual says I can use 100% CO2, or 75%/25% Argon/CO2 mix.I would be welding Mild Steel only, thin stuff like body metal, and sheet/tube up to 1/8 inch mostly.I have a bottle of 100% Argon, so I gave it a whirl (flow setting in the 30-40 range), did not seem to work out too well (although my limited experience is probably most of the blame).What gas do you folks use with your MIG, when welding Mild Steel?Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Argon 100% with mild steel mig is a no go.  I use 75/25 or  Airgas "Steelmix" with IIRC is 85/15.  Depends on where I swap the bottle.  Search around the forum, there is a bunch of info on gas.
Reply:Your going to want to go with a 75/25 mix, also known as C25.  100% CO2 is going to provide a more violent and hotter arc which would pose problems on thin material.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88Your going to want to go with a 75/25 mix, also known as C25.  100% CO2 is going to provide a more violent and hotter arc which would pose problems on thin material.
Reply:Keep in mind different wires and metals weld better with different mixes of gas.  For you if your just going to be doing basic welding like solid wire for steel then like sn0border88 said  use the 75/25 and you can turn your regulator down a little too.  Use 90/10 if your looking to go to spray arc on the heavier stuff (My fav!)Aluminum Mig usually straight argon Dual shield wire (Flux Core) thats the time for 100% CO2Innershield wire ..... none needed lolStainless Steel usually a tri mix and theres a few variations that work.  I take notes so I know what worked best for me and my welder.The guys at Airgas and Quimby welding supply are usually pretty knowledgable especially when it comes to welding specialty stuff. But the guys here have been there and done that so dont be afraid to ask.Last edited by galencwi; 02-19-2011 at 09:01 PM.“I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair
Reply:Originally Posted by galencwiDual shield wire (Flux Core) thats the time for 100% CO2
Reply:Airgas around these parts quit selling C25 a few years ago or so.
Reply:Originally Posted by dstevensAirgas around these parts quit selling C25 a few years ago or so.
Reply:My neighbor uses Airgas and they have 75Ar/25Co2 ? My Praxair guys have been pushing the 15%Co2, but with the repair guys it's a total bust, things have to be clean, clean clean.Matt
Reply:At our Airgas here there's hardly a word spoken, unless you just want to make conversation. Set an empty c25 at the door and that's what they'll have setting there when you leave. I'd have to speak up early and specifically ask for something else to get it."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:C25 = 75%Ar/25%CO2This is what you want to use for thin steel with MIG."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Thanks everyone,based on the information provided, I am going to go with the 75/25 mix.Regards to all.Working on cars and bikes is my hobby, learning to weld the pieces together is my quest.
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88I find it VERY hard to believe that a welding gas supplier doesnt have 75/25.  Or are they just trying to push their proprietary mixes?
Reply:[QUOTE=sn0border88;475911]This is dependent on the type of wire used, some require 100% CO2 while others use a Ar/CO2 mix.  When looking at the wire specification it will have a C or and M at the end to denote the gas required.Ex:  E71-T1-M[/QUOTEThanks for pointing that out.“I'm going to do the thing that God put Galen Beasley on this Earth to do:Have Salon quality hair and weld.Nothing like a good cup of coffee and the smell of 6010 burning in the morning. 971-204-3444 cell API ASME Structural NDT and Repair