Optima with C25?

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I picked up an Optima for a very fair price and I'm looking to play with it.All the programs and settings for steel are for 95/5 or 98/2 Ar/CO2 gas.I only have Ar, CO2 and C25.  No splitter of any type.  Has anyone tried steel with an optima with either strait Ar or C25?If so, what were the results?  I know I can't spray with CO2 over 15% and that the GMAW-P process is strictly spray.  I've read that this process will allow for the use of spray transfer on thinner material than is ordinarily possible.  Im gonna try to deplete my smallest Ar tank and fill it with C5.  My largest Ar tank is contaminated, but of course I have no idea with which gas.  Thanks.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Pulse is like a low-heat version of spray.I thought the optima will let you go "outside" of the pre-canned settings?On the 350P, I first fooled around with pulse on C25.  There are improvements with C10 or C8, but there its good enough to play with.  I think I went about a week with C25 (just learning the machine).One thing with pulse, your feed needs to be very smooth.  If your rollers slip, you will see the arc length jump all around.  Once its set right, rather than the wire hitting the puddle, you will see the wire disapear into a cone shaped arc.  To me, it reminds me more of spray painting (very very small spray painter....)Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:It will work to some degree, but you will have a noisy arc and some spatter. Good enough to at least try out the Optima and make sure it's working.Any mix with 3 - 10% CO2 should work fine for pulse MIG on steel. Some mixes may only be available in large tanks, depending on where you get your gas.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps