Argon flow for mig welding

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Decided to do some more practice on my mig welds the other day. Set my wire speed and heat to the correct side and started making beads. Polarity was correct, using .030 wire on 1/8" material and around 15cfh of argon. Beads were all cold and clumpy.  Turned the gas up to 25cfh and they looked 1000x better.How do you know what is the correct amount of gas flow to use for mig? Seems like when tig welding it doesn't make much of a difference if I'm at 10cfh or 30cfh and when it's too low it won't weld and turns black. This doesn't happen with the mig.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:If you're having to flow your C25 at 25CFH (on a HH 140), you're doing something else wrong.That's "WAY" too high for the small nozzle found on a HH 140.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:Originally Posted by GambleDecided to do some more practice on my mig welds the other day. Set my wire speed and heat to the correct side and started making beads. Polarity was correct, using .030 wire on 1/8" material and around 15cfh of argon. Beads were all cold and clumpy.  Turned the gas up to 25cfh and they looked 1000x better.How do you know what is the correct amount of gas flow to use for mig? Seems like when tig welding it doesn't make much of a difference if I'm at 10cfh or 30cfh and when it's too low it won't weld and turns black. This doesn't happen with the mig.
Reply:OOps sorry, its C25. I forgot.Also the guy I got it from said it was an upgraded gun. But he doesn't seem to know anything else other than the fact it was "upgraded" I'll snap a pic later tonight to see if it helps.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Maybe you just suck....http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Yes maybe I do and more gas just makes it look better...Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I run 20cfh.... check your polarity.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Polarity is good, I double checked it and had to switch it because I ran out of ER wire and went to flux.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GamblePolarity is good, I double checked it and had to switch it because I ran out of ER wire and went to flux.
Reply:To clarify. I was using regular wire with gas, then ran out of wire and switched to flux (no gas) but I have read a lot of people use gas with flux for dual shielding. Not sure how well it works or what polarity to do it on because I've never tried it but I know of people doing it.Ok so here are some welds I was doing the other day, it's pretty obvious you can tell which welds had the higher flow of c25.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Actually, crap, I took a pic of the flux welds next to the welds with 25cfh of c25 on regular wire. I'll get a pic of the welds with standard wire and 15cfh when I get home today.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleTo clarify. I was using regular wire with gas, then ran out of wire and switched to flux (no gas) but I have read a lot of people use gas with flux for dual shielding. Not sure how well it works or what polarity to do it on because I've never tried it but I know of people doing it.
Reply:I'm not sure on the flux. I just read about people using double shielding, never looked into it to be honest.This is how the welds looked at around 15cfh, clumpy and cold.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:did you try turning the gas off and using it as regular FC wire feed welding?Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I turned off the gas and switched to flux and changed the polarity and the FC worked normal.It was only an issue with gas on and ER wire. The tank is low but not empty and I've been using it for awhile now.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI'm not sure on the flux. I just read about people using double shielding, never looked into it to be honest.This is how the welds looked at around 15cfh, clumpy and cold.
Reply:I honestly don't know what type of regulator it is, but maybe I'll look for a new one on the cheap and change it out. This is what the last guy gave me when I bought it from him.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Gamble,I'm new at welding, about 9 months, so I hate to give advice but here's what I did. First I did some welding w/flow meter set to 20 cfh.Then I turned off the gas to see what The beads looked like w/o gas.Then turned the gas up to 10 cfh.  and continued turning the gas up 2-3 cfh increments till I got a good bead.  Then turned the gas up 2 more cfh.  Now I weld at 16 - 17 cfh. on MY meter, it may be correct, it may not, I don't care it works for meHTHBob
Reply:I think Bob_C has a good plan. Try that and report back. Also, your symptoms may indicate a leak or a blocked hose. If bumping the pressure way up makes a difference maybe you are just surpassing the maximum amount the leak or blockage can handle and then the gas starts to make it out the nozzle. I have had three different flowguages and all three had different flow rates. I got tired of guessing what they really were flowing and hooked up a flowmeter, inline, and then "re-calibrated" the needles by tweaking them until they read the same as the flowmeter.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools