How much gas on a mig

admin

I am starting school next week. I just purchased a new miller 212 auto. I am going to build a charcoal grill out of some 20 in pipe. Im using 035 wire with argon and co2 and oxygen mixed gas. Most of my stuff on this will be 1/4 in thick. How much gas pressure should I be running at.
Reply:Don't need much pressure.  You need flow or Cubic Feet per Hour set to about 15-20 CFH.  Also if this is mild steel you should probably use a mix of 75%Argon/25%Co2 (C-25).  That is the usual mix to learn with & use on mild steel.Mild steel is fairly easy to learn to weld on & nothing exotic is really needed.  1/4" thick pipe is gonna be heavy, make sure you have a way to move it...........I recommend a forklift, but then again, I'm lazy.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Thanks. . It is called stargon from praxair. Argon,Co2, and oxygen. I told him what I would be welding he told me to get this. Not sure what all they have but I know they have this then straight argon. as far as the fork lift, out of the question. Nothin like  a good ole engine lift though, I just got done building a smoker with a propane tank and a 22in. square firebox with my stick welder. Now that was heavy. The charcoal grill shouldnt be nearly as heavy since I wont have a firebox.
Reply:Praxair should have C-25.  They can get a higher price for the stuff with O2 in it.  Sounds like they saw you coming.  No offense intended.Argon would be best for Aluminum or Stainless welding.  Use what you have, next fill ask for the C-25.  See if it's cheaper & if not, the stuff you have will work & won't hurt anything.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Isn't Stargon a stainless mig gas?C-25 or C-15 are both good gas mixes for mild steel.   Straight CO2 works too.   I prefer the C15 for less spatter.25 cfh will be plenty enough gas flow for your project.   You will want to do the project indoors or set up a wind break if outdoors.   Self shield fluxcore wire is best for outdoors.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:BTW, is the term "C25" universally understood, or is it somewhat local?  I have read it on the web and in books, but when I asked for some at my LWS, the guy behind the counter didn't know what I was talking about.  The shop is generally very well-stocked and patronized.Tim
Reply:I have heard it called 75/25 all my life.
Reply:Originally Posted by lineman21I am starting school next week. I just purchased a new miller 212 auto. I am going to build a charcoal grill out of some 20 in pipe. Im using 035 wire with argon and co2 and oxygen mixed gas. Most of my stuff on this will be 1/4 in thick. How much gas pressure should I be running at.
Reply:I'm still new to this, but I can't imagine any benefit to a higher flow rate.  You want to shield your puddle -- anything more is just wasting gas.  I use 12-20 cfh indoors.  I'll dial up more if I'm outside and working with curtains.
Reply:Straight Argon is NOT a stainless steel covering gas when welding with mig.Recommended gas for SS is a Tri-Mix consisting of 90%He, 7 1/2%Ar, 2 1/2%CO2.  This is for welding in short arc mode.Straight Argon is used as a covering gas when TIG welding SS.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:I thought stargon was a stainless mix also. I agree next fill try 75/25. You don't need much gas. I had a buddy at work who was running outershield wire with his gas set on 125psi. You could hear the gas halfway across the shop lol.Ya gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Well Stargon doesn't have helium so I guess it's some kinda carbon spray mix with that oxygen in there ??MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2Praxair should have C-25.  They can get a higher price for the stuff with O2 in it.  Sounds like they saw you coming.  No offense intended.Argon would be best for Aluminum or Stainless welding.  Use what you have, next fill ask for the C-25.  See if it's cheaper & if not, the stuff you have will work & won't hurt anything.
Reply:http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/7...4?OpenDocumentEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I generally use C-25  or 75/25 (75argon/25CO2)  Same thing, when using solid wire.   I use 100% C02 with flux core dual shield type wires.  Most of the tri mix & 85/15 or 90/10 etc. (varies from LWS to LWS) is uded for spray transfer.   My LWS a smaller independant supplier calls their "spray trimix" STARMIX.  The name really means nothing industry wise.C02 is by far the least expensive welding gas. & will weld (bond/penitrate) just fine with solid wire just expect to clean up more spatter if that's an issue.IF IT WORKS, DON'T FIX IT2 Lincoln CV-300 / LN-7 GMALinde-VI 253,400 & 450 w/MIG35 feedersCNC Table with Oxweld O/A & Hypertherm 1250G3Lincoln Ranger GXT 250Hobart-MicroWire 300ESAB Heliarc 161ESAB-Mobilemaster 2 CC/CV Feeders& more
Reply:The light bulb went ON............The oxygen in the mix allows for lower heat for spray transfer?  Learned something new today.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Thought Id ask you guys as I think our house is burning far too much gas to keep warmanyone know how many units of gas thier house uses in the average week/month???many thanksbudj
Reply:Lineman21    Seems we somehow got off topic to your post    Indoors with small solid wire .023-.035  I use somewhere around 20-25 CFH of flow.....   If there is some air movement  set up a welding curtain or something similar for a wind break or sometimes you can feed a little more gas.   Can't feed lots more though because the gas flow across your weld will get to swirling & can pull air into the shielding gas.As far as pressure goes most flow tube type meters only have a tank side gauge showing tank pressure, which is only good to show when you are about to empty the tank. You probably shouldn't try to weld once this gauge is below 50#   Most flow meters are non adjustable on pressure & are pre set to 50 PSI  going into the flow tube. If tank pressure drops below 50# you no longer have an accurate reading across the flow tube.IF IT WORKS, DON'T FIX IT2 Lincoln CV-300 / LN-7 GMALinde-VI 253,400 & 450 w/MIG35 feedersCNC Table with Oxweld O/A & Hypertherm 1250G3Lincoln Ranger GXT 250Hobart-MicroWire 300ESAB Heliarc 161ESAB-Mobilemaster 2 CC/CV Feeders& more
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2The light bulb went ON............The oxygen in the mix allows for lower heat for spray transfer?  Learned something new today.