Thread: Welder Capacity at Lower End

I will have a go with gas tomorrow. When I tried it before I did not have 0.6mm tips for the 0.6mm wire which is what came with my first mig welder. I have some 0.6mm tips now. I was outside the shed but sheltered in a corner right in front of the shed and it was not windy.

Look up "welding tips n tricks" on YouTube, plenty can be learned from Jody

Maybe being outside does make a difference.

Here is the result of my attempts today.

2mm Comparison.jpg1mm Comparison.jpg

Front and rear shots showing voltage and wire feed speed. The left picture is 2mm steel. The right picture is 1mm steel. I just guessed at the CO2 flow rate. The regulator I have to fit the disposable cylinder is very basic. Both the cylinder and the regulator were covered in frost. I did increase the flow rate part way thru as I felt it needed more.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Both the cylinder and the regulator were covered in frost.

Are you keeping the cylinder vertical? If not, liquid CO2 will go through the regulator and will make the whole lot get very cold.

Originally Posted by RustyArc

Are you keeping the cylinder vertical? If not, liquid CO2 will go through the regulator and will make the whole lot get very cold.

Almost. It was on a bit of a lean, but not enough to allow the liquid reach the top.

Dean

If you are getting frost on your regulator then that means one of two things. Either you are doing a lot of welding, (unlikely with a disposable cylinder) or your flow is way too high.

Originally Posted by RustyArc

I recently changed from CO2 to 75/25 on my UniMIG 165, and I'm not convinced it's really improved its thin section performance. It will turn down pretty low - 14 volts from memory - but you just get a sputtering progression of cold lumps, at least with 0.8mm wire.

I find I need to wind the volts and speed up until it starts to weld properly, then manually pulse-weld - you open a keyhole each time, and have to pause until the red has gone from the material, but it makes for a reasonably flat, full-penetration weld. Kinda slow though.

I know I am probably in swimming against the tide with this view, but I am yet to find a single redeeming quality for argon mix on steel unless you are spray arcing. I hate the damn stuff - porosity in a cylinder and the spatter sticks like you know what to a blanket. If ever I am crowned King, I think I will make the use of argon mix on steel a capital offence )

Originally Posted by Karl Robbers

If you are getting frost on your regulator then that means one of two things. Either you are doing a lot of welding, (unlikely with a disposable cylinder) or your flow is way too high.

It is a tiny regulator and uses 3mm poly pipe to connect to the welder. Having said that I have no idea what the flow rate was. This tiny regulator has no gauges. I am just trying to decide where to go next. It seems my welder is capable of welding thinner sections despite the welder specs implying otherwise. Next step would be to buy a gas cylinder then? What gas to get?

Originally Posted by Karl Robbers

I know I am probably in swimming against the tide with this view, but I am yet to find a single redeeming quality for argon mix on steel unless you are spray arcing. I hate the damn stuff - porosity in a cylinder and the spatter sticks like you know what to a blanket. If ever I am crowned King, I think I will make the use of argon mix on steel a capital offence )

So straight Argon is the way then? This could then be used for both Mig and Tig welding? I do not want to buy 2 cylinders if I can avoid it. The price I have (Speedgas) is $529 for an E size cylinder pand $159 for subsequent refills. Does anyone know of any better deals. As I have said Speedgas from Gasweld is 90km away, but I can give the excuse of visiting the Grandkids and any shopping that needs doing there. A Power 10 store is located 140km away, similar shopping options, but no grandkids and we rarely go there. Depends on overall cost. Then there is having the cylinder shipped from afar. Anyone done this.

With regards to the picture of welding samples on 2mm steel and recognising that these are just quick inexperienced runs, I think that the 2 welds using 20.5v and 21.0v appear to be around the sweet(?) spot. Am I near the mark on this?

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

So straight Argon is the way then?

Nope, if you're using a single gas, it has to be CO2.

I had been using a beer gas cylinder, which I still have, but decided to try a 75/25 mix from Gasweld. Being not that taken with 75/25 compared with straight CO2, my plan now is to use up this cylinder and swap it for one with argon (which I assume you can do - they're the same price to swap) and have a go at TIG on steel and aluminium.

Originally Posted by RustyArc

Nope, if you're using a single gas, it has to be CO2.

I had been using a beer gas cylinder, which I still have, but decided to try a 75/25 mix from Gasweld. Being not that taken with 75/25 compared with straight CO2, my plan now is to use up this cylinder and swap it for one with argon (which I assume you can do - they're the same price to swap) and have a go at TIG on steel and aluminium.

Strange that because I did a quick search before typing that post and found

What type of gas is used for MIG welding steel?

1. Shielding gases for MIG welding. The basic gas for MIG welding is inert – argon (Ar) or helium (He), or a mixture of both. However, small additions of oxygen (O2) or carbon dioxide (CO2) can further stabilize the arc, improve the fluidity and also improve the quality of the weld deposit.
   Shielding gases for MIG welding - Sandvik Materials Tech
   
   

Confusing what?

I bought a disposable Argon Cylinder today to play around with compare with the CO2 and found the CO2 was empty. Sigh.

Dean

Do a Google for mig argon - you'll see a bunch of info about it. In short, pure argon will work, but it won't penetrate well, and might not be pleasant to weld with.

i must admit i havent read the whole post yet but I would sell a Lincoln 180c to you if you like?

infinite control of wfs and voltage ....30-180 amps

if if you are interested then get back to me........$400

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

I am wondering whether is is worth buying a new welder, multi process or just Mig. My current welder is good at everything I have tried(Mig & Arc. Not used Tig yet) except it has a lower voltage limit for mig of 17.5v. This is too high for thinner metals.

I would like to find out just what is regarded as suitable values for various thin sheets. I want to weld down to 1.0mm steel. These specifications are often not mentioned in brochures web pages etc. I need to know what I am looking for before I start asking for information.

Dean

Originally Posted by meadow street

i must admit i havent read the whole post yet but I would sell a Lincoln 180c to you if you like?

infinite control of wfs and voltage ....30-180 amps

if if you are interested then get back to me........$400

Thanks for the offer. I will think about it. How much of a hurry are you in?

Dean