Thread: Using argon mixture on a CO2 flux core wire

Originally Posted by aametalmaster

I use this wire at home with either gas.
http://www.inweldcorporation.com/datasheets/E71T-1.pdf
The PDF explains a little about the different gas used. I weld all day with gas flux core at work and while the mix argon/co2 looks better i use the co2 as that is what i was certified with...Bob

Cheers Aametalmaster,

couple of bits of info picked up there. Argon mix may improve out of position capabilites, and may give a stronger joint.

Originally Posted by BigPete1

Don't want to hijack this thread but have been reading this thread with interest.

I have a question for Karl, how does welding with co2 instead of an argon mix compare to gassless mig wire for ease of use and amount of smoke.

How difficult would it be to weld thin wall rhs 1.6mm with co2 for a less experienced operator.

I currently mig weld with gassless mig wire and Can weld ok with it. But I really hate the large amount of smoke, I can tolerate the spatter.

I have considered converting my welder to using an argon mix however I don't use it enough to justify the cost.

So I am wondering about using co2?

Thanks Pete

CO2 absolutely shines when welding any galvanised product either duragal or proper galvanising.
Once you swap to CO2 for that you will never want to go back and 1.6mm is easily handled.
I positively hate gasless wire and would actually reach for the stick welder if I needed outdoor capabilities in preference to gasless.

Thanks for the info Karl. I can understand when you say that you would rather use stick than gassless mig wire. Stick welding is much cleaner than gassless mig. Except in my case I find gassless mig much easier to use than stick welding.

More great info. I've been doing a bit of galvanised tube with my stick welder. Good to know CO2 is the way to go when I get set up for flux core.

So what's the deal with gasless flux core wire. Why is it so bad, is it just the spatter, or is the weld bead a bit average too. Between different stick rods, they vary in the way they weld. Are gasless wires like this too or are they all bad.

Cheers,

Keith.

[QUOTE=beefy;1588289]
So what's the deal with gasless flux core wire. Why is it so bad, is it just the spatter, or is the weld bead a bit average too. Between different stick rods, they vary in the way they weld. Are gasless wires like this too or are they all bad.

Gassless wire is quite capable of producing a reasonable weld bead, not the prettiest weld bead but strong.

My dislikes are the large amount of smoke ( makes it hard to see and makes me feel sick after a while) and heaps of spatter also the slag despite being thin is not always easy to remove.

Basically I find gassless mig to be a messy and dirty process, stick welding is clean in comparison.

However I would happily weld with it if I could put up with the smoke.

As for different types/brands cant really answer but, all the wire I've used has been similar in regard to smoke and spatter.