New to welding got a question

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Hello all.  I have been searching and reading past threads and finally decided to buy a few welders for hobby use.  I have just got a used Clarke 130en for $150 and started to weld with it.  Right now it is just set up for flux core.I have a few questions:I have a 100% Argon tank for TIG welding and wonder if I could use this gas or should I get another tank with Argon/CO2?Can someone give me some basic guidelines on what settings to use for sheet metal and 1/8" steel.  It has two knobs and one is for wire feed rate and the other is for amperage and has only 4 settings.I will be using this for body panels and beginning to make a welding cart that will double as a welding table.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply:I don't think argon will work very well. It needs some Co2 to help the arc. 75% argon, 25% Co2 works best, 100% Co2 works too.  I can't help much with settings except the 4 settings are for welding voltage.  Wire speed works as amps.  With that wire I think you will need middle to high settings on the volts and lower for the wire speed.  1/8 is good to start with.You can weld and turn the wire speed knob for the best arc.  Just don't change the volts switch under load.Electrode -   DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Tip: remember to switch your flux-core to solid wire if you switch to gas. also, check your polarity for correct connections.later,Andy
Reply:Start by setting your knob to #2 then running your wire feed speed to fast until it starts bumping on sound metal then back off till it starts buzzing.  If that is not hot enough, ture the knob to #3 and do the same thing.  Then try #4.  Hope this helps.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Originally Posted by weldgaultStart by setting your knob to #2 then running your wire feed speed to fast until it starts bumping on sound metal then back off till it starts buzzing.  If that is not hot enough, ture the knob to #3 and do the same thing.  Then try #4.  Hope this helps.  John
Reply:Your current control sets your amperage and wire speed adjusts how many inches per minute of wire is fed. Straight argon works well for aluminum. Ar/CO2 mix does not. CO2 requires a much higher flow rate than 75 Ar/25 CO2. I run at about 1.25 cubic feet per hour on the 75/25. I don't use straight CO2 as it costs more in the long run. My gas supplier let's me trade bottles for whatever I need. 80cf oxy bottle for an 80 cf ar/co bottle, but it really depends on your supplier. I  buy all my gas from them and most of my electrodes as well so they work with me on things.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:On a CV power supply, the wire feed speed sets the amperage, except for the ESO. On a clarke 130, CO2 and .023 wire works best.  There is no spatter if the machine is set correct.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Hey everyone thanks for the info.I am sure you get these questions asked all the time and there isn't a sticky for this information or I just didn't look hard enough.I have access to a lot of scrap metal so I am going to practice with different settings but I will start first at 2 and then adjust the wire feed.I will keep reading the past post for more info.
Reply:if you are working with light sheet metal, i have found that the "A" setting may work better than the higher ones. i welded my entire exhaust (15 GA, 2" tubing) with on "A" and about 2.9-3.1 for the wore speed. yours ma be a little different, but i found that anything higher than "A" was burning thru (melting holes) and anything higher than 3.1 for the wire speed was pushing thru the puddle, to the parent metal, giving me POS welds... lots of spatter, very inconsistant beads. the best thing you can do is jsut experiment. the great news is, like you said, that you have access to a lot of scrap metal. the best advice that i've been told is to get used to your machine... see where it's high points and low points are. mine (for instance) is not really the best for "Pretty" welds. it is not ment for welding cast-iron brake rotors. it is not the best for spatter-free work. however, it is a great little hobbie welder and works wonderfully for small, odd jobs around the house. like i said... get used to our machine and experiment... the best teacher is expereince.later,Andy