What can I do with this bottle of argon?

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A buddy of mine gave me this bottle of argon. I'm a noob and have only used flux core. Can I use this to weld mild steel? Stainless?Can I just connect it to the port on the back of my Handy MIG?Do I need gages, or a regulator, or a special hose?All help will be greatly appreciated.http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...5.jpg&newest=1Lincoln Handy mig Longevity Stickweld140Hobart Handler 210
Reply:Well, argon is used with TIG. If you are going to use gas with wire it is going to be c02 or argon c02 mix. You will need a regulator with any gas that you use.
Reply:looking at the picture, I believe there is a regulator attached to the bottle , if your buddy says it's argon inside it may be, that will make it useless with your mig apparatus , you don't need any special hose, a compressed air hose will do just fine.you may need to check your mig manual, switch polarity and change the wire.--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:What Felderthewelder said x2.  I will add a few more things fyi.Pure argon can be used with your mig but usually gas mixes are used for ss and steel.   For example a common mix for steel is C25 which means it is a mix of 75% argon and 25% C02.  For stainless steel usually a tripple mix is used.  Pure argon is most often used on aluminum in mig welding.  I assume your buddy owned his/your bottle and it is not a rental.  If so you could have your bottle refilled with the mix suitable for what you want to weld.You can connect the bottle to the gas port on the back of your mig, assuming you have what is called a gas solenoid valve installed on your mig.  If you don't have one installed many migs can be retrofitted with one which is available from your mig manufacturer.  This will start and stop the flow of gas when you operate the trigger on the gun.  You also need a gas regulator or flowmeter and a connecting hose.   The regulator type looks like an oxygen regulator and is a little cheaper.  A flowmeter is more desirable and accurate if a little more expensive.  It will be similar to an oxygen regulator but instead of a low pressure gauge calibrated in flow units, it will have a tube with a ball in it which more accurately indicates the actual flow of gas used."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 for your help folks. I'm curious, if I hook up the bottle and crack the valve so I can hear gas flowing. How bad are the results likely to be welding mild steel. Does anyone here know an easy way to verify that it's actually argon in the bottle? I'd also like to know what to expect to pay to have it filled with mig mix and what you reccomend? I think it's a 20 cubic foot bottle. Not really sure, it's a lil guy.Lincoln Handy mig Longevity Stickweld140Hobart Handler 210
Reply:If the fill tag says argon it's argon.If it says argon/NOS it is argon CO2.The fill tag may even say 75% argon 25% CO2 or there may be a seperate tag that says C25(argon CO2 mix).The welding supply will not fill your cylinder with argon CO2 if it is 100% argon now.The mixed gas cylinder uses an eductor tube,better know as a dip tube.Using straight argon on steel will give high ropey welds with little penetration.
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3The welding supply will not fill your cylinder with argon CO2 if it is 100% argon now.The mixed gas cylinder uses an eductor tube,better know as a dip tube.
Reply:Awesome! that"s the info I was looking for. Thanks guys.Lincoln Handy mig Longevity Stickweld140Hobart Handler 210
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3If the fill tag says argon it's argon.If it says argon/NOS it is argon CO2.The fill tag may even say 75% argon 25% CO2 or there may be a seperate tag that says C25(argon CO2 mix).The welding supply will not fill your cylinder with argon CO2 if it is 100% argon now.The mixed gas cylinder uses an eductor tube,better know as a dip tube.Using straight argon on steel will give high ropey welds with little penetration.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWThey migt not fill it, but chances are they will excange it for a mig mix however. I've swapped O2 for argon, O2 for mig mix, mig mix for nitrogen and even an old acetylene cyl for mig mix. As long as I have a cylinder that's mine, and they have a cylinder of the gas I want that's the same size, my LWS has no problems making the exchange. If they don't have one in my size, like has happened on at least one occasion, I simply pay the difference in price between the cylinder sizes and take the larger cylinder. I can even get "exotic" mixes if I want. I need to call ahead and give my guy about a weeks notice of what gas I want and what size I am going to exchange. Example if I want an 60cf of say 92-8 for some reason. I'll pay dearly for this however, many times more than simply getting a full sized "normal" cyl of the gas would cost.
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3One of these days I'll learn how to double quote like you smart fellas.
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3One of these days I'll learn how to double quote like you smart fellas.
Reply:I don't know where u are located as it's not in your profile.  However I need an argon bottle that size so if  you're near Atlanta GA we might be able to work something out.