Shopping list - need sage advice

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I just ordered a TWICO 211i welder. It is due to be delivered next week; so I am making a shopping list for tanks and regulators.  I have never done MIG or TIG and I'm not sure what, exactly, I need to get me going.  The TWICO order includes an ARGON regulator which I believe will be needed for working with aluminum, but I will also want to weld mild steel which I understand requires CO2 gas.  I have been looking at CO2 regulators on-line, and I have noticed some of them have one circular gauge and a vertical gauge – instead of the customary two circular gauges.  They seem to be cheaper.  Any words of wisdom regarding this?  The TWICO order includes a spool gun and a TIG tourch  Currently, my shopping list includes:    1 80 cubic foot Argon cylinder    1 80 cubic foot CO2 cylinder    1 CO2 regulator     1 spool of .30 welding wire    1 spool of aluminum wire …. not sure what I am looking for here.     Unfortunately, formal education involving the subject of welding isn't possible for me.  My experience includes stick welding and shield wire welding.Last edited by DennisK; 03-12-2016 at 09:39 PM.Reason: adding a comment
Reply:You can weld mild steel without Co2. You can save money by using the regulator that comes with your machine. Instead of buying Co2, buy a bottle of C25. This is a 75/25 blend of argon/Co2. I always use it for mild steel. It welds better. The regulator you asked about with one circular gauge, and one vertical gauge is a flow meter. They are actually better-because you can actually see that the gas is flowing.One the wire for the spool gun, you will probably want .030 4043, or if your gun will handle it, .030 5356.Hope this helps! Happy welding.
Reply:I would use .035, 4043 for aluminum, unless you are doing real thin stuff. Straight co2 works OK, but 75/25 is nicer for steel. If using straight co2, you will need a tank to regulator adapter and the small sealing rings. You will want plenty of tips, preferably one size larger than the wire for aluminum. The mig and spoolgun use the same til, but aluminum feeds better with an oversize tip
Reply:Originally Posted by 'StangYou can weld mild steel without Co2. You can save money by using the regulator that comes with your machine. Instead of buying Co2, buy a bottle of C25. This is a 75/25 blend of argon/Co2. I always use it for mild steel. It welds better. The regulator you asked about with one circular gauge, and one vertical gauge is a flow meter. They are actually better-because you can actually see that the gas is flowing.One the wire for the spool gun, you will probably want .030 4043, or if your gun will handle it, .030 5356.Hope this helps! Happy welding.
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DI would use .035, 4043 for aluminum, unless you are doing real thin stuff. Straight co2 works OK, but 75/25 is nicer for steel. If using straight co2, you will need a tank to regulator adapter and the small sealing rings. You will want plenty of tips, preferably one size larger than the wire for aluminum. The mig and spoolgun use the same til, but aluminum feeds better with an oversize tip
Reply:Same regulator works for argon mix of straight argon. I forgot about them switching from the weldskill to the fusion gun. Good luck with your new machine.
Reply:It's Tweco but for aluminum you need pure argon. Any gas with argon uses a CGA 580(inert) fitting as does nitrogen and helium. CO2 uses a CGA 320 fitting. Flowmeters use a vertical tube to measure CFH and flow gauges use a round gauge to measure CFH. Flowmeters are generally better but for your purposes it won't matter. Most of the self contained MIG machines come with a flow gauge.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveIt's Tweco but for aluminum you need pure argon. Any gas with argon uses a CGA 580(inert) fitting as does nitrogen and helium. CO2 uses a CGA 320 fitting. Flowmeters use a vertical tube to measure CFH and flow gauges use a round gauge to measure CFH. Flowmeters are generally better but for your purposes it won't matter. Most of the self contained MIG machines come with a flow gauge.
Reply:MAN.....I ain't gonna tell you not to buy a 3 in one rig bad as I want to....And trust me, I badly want to, but....You asked about gas regulators and flow meters, so I'll only discuss that.Seeing as how the rig don't arrive with gas regulator, then get the ball float ones...Ball float....Ball float...and seeing as how you will be using both C-25 and pure Argon, get a ball float regulator for each, because you gonna have a bottle of each on cart, right? that's what I done, and never looked back....but that's just me and that's how I done it.Before you buy that rig, please look close at consumables and if they layin on shelf every where in town, or you gotta order them....Everyone including Harbor Freight carries Miller and Hobart welder consumables, even little hardware stores, but not most Lincoln and certainly not  Tweco if they are different still.
Reply:And spoolguns? Friend you really need to use one to see how easy it is to destroy tips....And have ready access to tips not mail order...just sayin
Reply:Originally Posted by wornoutoldwelderAnd spoolguns? Friend you really need to use one to see how easy it is to destroy tips....And have ready access to tips not mail order...just sayin