One Gas for Mig And TIg

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I have a very small Tig welder and a ESAB 215 Mig welder I just salvaged. It is time for me to buy Gas. I understand Argon is usually used for Tig and Argon/CO2 is usually used for MIG. Is there a gas that will work for both Tig and Mig welding? I just don't want to buy/rent 2 bottles. The bottom line however is expense. I am a hobbyist that may build 3 to 4 medium BBQ/smokers a year. On another note I know gas can make a difference in the weld, I need all the help I can get so I would pay a little more for good Gas just like I will pay more for good wire.    I just want to ask the experts before I lay down the cash.
Reply:You can get by using 100% argon for mig, but you can use anything with CO2 with tig.100% argon with mig on mild steel is not as good as 75/25 but will work for non critical welds. Also won't run as nice and does not produce as nice a bead.Last edited by Timberwolf; 11-10-2008 at 10:59 AM.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:You can't use anything with CO2 in it for TIG.TIG is plain argon, or an argon-helium blend.If you are going to MIG aluminum, then you would use the same gas choices of plain argon or an argon-helium blend as in TIG welding.If you are going to MIG steel or stainless steel, then you need a different gas blend or blends.  That's just the way it is.You have to use the right tool/tools for the job.  Plugging your electric grinder into an air line doesn't work, even though there is energy in the compressed air.  Plugging an air tool into an electric outlet doesn't work, even though there is energy in the electric outlet.  Your gasoline engine won't work using diesel fuel, and your diesel engine won't work using gasoline.  Etc, etc, etc.Small tank of gas is about $100-$200 to buy the tank.  Then the cost of the gas to refill.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:My bad, missed the T, exactly what I ment to say, mind says one thing fingers did another.NO CO2 with TIG.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:go here and get the scoop on mig gashttp://www.weldreality.com/default2.htmA butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseYou have to use the right tool/tools for the job.  Plugging your electric grinder into an air line doesn't work, even though there is energy in the compressed air.  Plugging an air tool into an electric outlet doesn't work, even though there is energy in the electric outlet.  Your gasoline engine won't work using diesel fuel, and your diesel engine won't work using gasoline.  Etc, etc, etc.
Reply:I would stay away from 100% CO2 gas for your mig. 75/25 mix would be much better. Tig I would use 100% argon. A helium mixture can tend to burn hotter, but I'm not a big fan of helium.Like the posters before me mentioned already, you're going to need 2 types of gases.
Reply:Originally Posted by Flux coreI would stay away from 100% CO2 gas for your mig. 75/25 mix would be much better. Tig I would use 100% argon. A helium mixture can tend to burn hotter, but I'm not a big fan of helium.Like the posters before me mentioned already, you're going to need 2 types of gases.
Reply:Definitely stay away from pure CO2.  It does work for Mig but the time you will save in clean up and the weld quality makes up the small amount of $$ you will spend.I trained on pure CO2 because it fit the Ag engineering departments budget.  I hated to mig because of the pop and splatter and the welds just looked half oxidized when you finished.   When I bought my Esab, I went to 75/25 and things were night and day different.  But lately,  I use a C-18, 82% argon, 18% CO2.  It burns hotter and you can spray with it without much difficulty.  But weld quality is excellent and spatter is almost nil.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:CO2 can cause smoke and spatter, making the cost of gas cost non existance.   JGSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Originally Posted by crawler100% CO2 for you mig would be an economical option.  The CO2 cylinder and fill will be much cheaper to buy/find than C25 mix.  You could buy a Argon cylinder now for you tig and get by with 100 CO2 for mig welding.
Reply:100% argon works ok for mig though and is the previlent TIG gas. So that I would think the only real one gas option without getting exotic..100% argon with mig as opposed to 75/25  I find produces more spatter and a rougher bead profile with potentially less penetration and possible carbon depleation, so I read.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:You can always use Ar / He mixtures for both processes, however this is expensive. Pure Argon will work OK for MIG also, however you will need to adjust your welding parameters to higher settings to achieve similar results to Ar/CO2 mixtures, (MAG)FYI, MIG - Inert gas, eg: Ar, Ar/He - Al, SS and some CS applicationsMAG - Active gas, CO2, Ar/CO2, Ar/H2, Ar/O2 - CS ans SS applicationsCheers
Reply:CO2 is great for mig and will last alot longer then C25 pre bottle of equal size. CO2 will burn a little hotter and will have a little more splatter. To prevent splatter when using CO2, make sure to use the proper settings for your welding. I have used CO2 for years and have found it is well worth the money and can give results without the splatter. If you are planning on alot of sheet metal and autobody reapir then I would buy C25. As to using Argon for mig. No way. Can it do the job, Yes but you will not get the results you want or need.I know I wish their was a single gas fo both but for now I have two bottles. Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:FYI:I have used the ar-98/0-2 successfully with tig. Attached ImagesA butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:Argon helium can go both ways (MIG/TIG), good for getting penetration on aluminium. Cost is a factor though and is not going to give as good a result MIGing steel as 75/25 Ar/CO2.No matter what trying to go with one gas will be giving up something somewhere. I have Argon hooked up on Tig and 75/25 Ar/CO2 on mig, rent helium as needed, but I should really buy a small LD bottle.Last edited by Timberwolf; 11-14-2008 at 01:29 PM.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???