C-10, C-5, C-2 and 98/2 Ar/O2

admin

I have a 350P and the recommended gas for that machine is 90/10 Ar/CO2 and that is the gas mix the pulse programming is based on.   I have not used that gas mix with the machine, as my local suppliers dont normally sell that mix.   They do sell 98/2 Ar/Oxy, so I use that.  It works fine with some adjustment to the settings but I have always wanted to use the correct gas mix to see the machine really shine the way it was designed to.Now enter another machine.  I recently got an Optima pulser for my XMT.   When I got the Optima, I was hoping one of the pulse programs would be for 90/10 gas so I would have a better excuse for buying the custom mixed gas to use on both machines and quit using the 98/2 oxygen mix.   Well, I'm not so lucky.  The Optima has programs set for 95/5 and 98/2 Ar/CO2 mixes (the 98/2 is not the same argon/oxygen mix I use, it is argon/co2), but nothing for 90/10.   So now I'm kind of faced with a dilemma, as I really need 2 custom mixed gasses now instead of one.  Can anyone who has used these machines (Optima and 350P) with different gas mixes tell me what are the effects of using the wrong gas mix compared to using the correct gas mix and is there a compromise gas mix that I could for both machines, like maybe 92/8 argon/co2 and would both machines really work as they are intended on that compromise ?Thanks.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:DR,cross post this to the Miller welding website and see if some of the factory guys will chime in.  They'd be in the best position to give you insights into the subtle differences that come from using different gas mixes with those programs.I weld occasionally with a Miller PP450 at work, and it has pre-programmed settings for pulsed MIG.  Those programs are set for 75/25 or 90/10 gas, and I regularly run the machine with 80/20 gas.  That's what the customers have, so I duplicate their set up.  Anyway, the pro-pulse on the PP450 runs just fine with a gas mix that isn't the same ratio of Ar/CO2.  I set the machine for 75/25 and weld away with the 80/20 tank hooked up.Substituting O2 for CO2 in the gas mix may have a more noticeable effect.  But I couldn't predict for you what that effect might be.  The guys at miller can probably tell you without breaking a sweat.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Thanks, I'll post it over there too.  You work with some very cool equipment!  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:DR,Can't speak for the gases (98%Ar/2%O2 vs 90%Ar/10%CO2) in the 350P program but I know the 98/2 is a little hotter in spray with the MM251 than the 90/10 mix.I used to use 98/2 almost exclusively for spray, but since I got the Thermco mixer, which is designed for mixing Ar/CO2, I've gone to a 92Ar/8CO2 mix with excellent results.I think the comment about posting on Miller was a good one.  Maybe one of the factory guys will chime in.  KB Fabrications is probably the most versed guy I know in the use of the MM350P.  I think Fusion King also has a good deal of experience with the machine.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Thanks Sundown.   Yeah the 98/2 oxygen mix does appear to make it run hotter than I suspect the 90/10 would have it run.   When I deveate the settings what's recommended, I'm usually trying to cool it down a bit.KB and FK are truely knowlegeable guys.  KB and I had a mutual understanding that we don't speak to eachother awhile back over there so I don't expect to hear from him unless he's somehow forgotten who I am.   I haven't seen him around over there in a while.The best solution would probly be to buy pure argon and pure co2 from the supplier and mix it myself with a mixer setup like you have, but I can't swing that investment now and probly not for awhile.  I'd have to spend some time learning how to use it too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op