Argoshield vs CO2

**hux** · 19th October 2013, 12:34 PM

Am contemplating a move to cylinder ownership instead of renting due to my sporadic use ie I can go through a bottle in 2 months and then be 12 months or more before I need another fill. The bottle ownership seems to suit me even with the relatively high cost of fills vs BOC etc. However, I am also keen to weld ally and stainless so that means 2 bottles. The CO2 bottles seem cheaper (6.8kg) and I could then have a CO2 bottle and a straight argon bottle for ally etc. So am wondering just how much of a difference I will notice between Argoshield and CO2 when welding mild steel. I generally weld nothing less than 2mm mild and use a Unimig 250 with .9mm wire.

**WelderMick** · 19th October 2013, 01:01 PM

A few of the guys here have made the move and will probably chime in. Which argoshield version are you using now?
Here's a little comparison I've come across before: MIG Welding Gas Comparison

**hux** · 19th October 2013, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by WelderMick

A few of the guys here have made the move and will probably chime in. Which argoshield version are you using now?
Here's a little comparison I've come across before: MIG Welding Gas Comparison

Mick Using BOC Argoshield Light.. Thanks for the link I will have a read. Craig

**Magnus88** · 20th October 2013, 12:53 AM

Hey.
CO2 burns at a hotter temperature than argoshield. CO2 is mainly used for structural steel welding as the fusion zone is also much larger than traditional argoshield and argoshield carries a higher risk of cold fusion (welds that haven't welded to the parent metal properly)
CO2 also lets off more fumes i found.

Here is a diagram of the fusion zones for various shielding gases:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_G0jtuT7hiE...gshielding.png

**Karl Robbers** · 20th October 2013, 08:59 PM

No contest. Go the CO2 for carbon steel work. You will never regret it.
One point I would make is that if you are considering using argon for stainless, you will be disappointed. Argon will weld stainless with mig but is no match for the he correct mix.

**hux** · 23rd October 2013, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Karl Robbers

No contest. Go the CO2 for carbon steel work. You will never regret it.
One point I would make is that if you are considering using argon for stainless, you will be disappointed. Argon will weld stainless with mig but is no match for the he correct mix.

Karl
Looking at getting an AC/DC tig for ally as I have a few jobs to do. So much general negativity about spool guns put me off investing in one and then had a play with my MIG in DC Tig mode on steel and other than eating the tungsten cause I had argoshield gas and a bit of a dick around with the rod feed I actually liked it and thought I might just go to TIG for ally and stainless.

Stainless is probably my least likely to weld material although you can never day never - I just don't have the project in my head for stainless but have a zillion for ally.

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