Help me settle an arguement. We always used it as a kid at home, and the machine I borrowed recently had CO2 on it. But Unclee and Louie S. both said they have never seen anyone else use it, they use CO2/Argon mix.
I've used straight co2 in the past, but the local welding gurus said no, use the mix. it seems to weld a little cleaner on sheet metal to me.
C-25 is what I've always heard it called and that was what I was told to run by the pros I asked when I bought the bottle.
Straight co2 is cheaper. Downside is more spatter and a lower quality looking weld.. been mig welding since 1980 .. .havent used co2 in a long time. 75/25 is the only thing i use for mig anymore ! Dave
i used to deliver carbon dioxide. it was free, so my neighbor gave it a try. he didn't see a difference on heavier stuff, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2 inch but started noticing on smaller thicknesses. i don't think we tried it on sheet metal. the gas shields the weld, right? what effect does the argon have on the mixture?
When I was growing up my dad always used straight CO2, and it welded fine for him. But when I started welding I used the CO2/argon mix and the welds looks better. Less splatter, sounds better, etc. I'd use CO2 in a pinch, but I try to stick with the mix
Straight co2 is often used in structural applications, cheaper, gives good penetration but a lot of splatter. Mixes, more expensive, can be in various ratios such as 75/25- 90/10 that also work well with different kind of wires such as innershield/outershield etc. Basically, mixing co2 and argon smooths out the weld and cuts down on splatter.
A side note: On the inside cover of my early 70s Miller 35s there is a chart showing which gas (Co2 or Mix) or what % to use on different thicknesses. Pretty interesting that they suggest different gas for thickness changes.
Ar/Co2 75/25 mix is your most common gas for GMAW on mild steel. Th Argon stabilizes the arc during short-curcuit transfer and produces a cleaner looking weld, but some penetration is lost. Mixed gas also eliminates the 'boot effect' or cathode jet that is associated with Co2 gas, witch is responsible for the splatter. On a side note: This is a set-up for thinner gauged mild and low-alloy steels and in the short-circuit and globular transfer modes for the most part. Other mixes are used for different GMAW processes like pulsed-spray transfer. yup, use the mix.
I use acetyline/CO2 in my mig. makes for a whole different welding experience. bored at work... waiting for trucks to come in.. you'll have to excuse me.
Damn, all this time! Twenty-five years dicking around with fabbing stuff, no wonder I never became a good weldor! It did seem to work fine on heavy stuff, bu I had a bitch on my floorboards. Now I know.
I worked Maintenance for a heavy fabrication shop in Houston. We used plain CO2 from a bulk tank for the welders. Like has been said, it's for doing the heavy stuff. We did a lot of those large bridge beams up to '300.
I have a buddy that is a certified aircraft welder that has welded dang near anything you can imagine and he told me that they actually took the time to x-ray 2 separate pieces to prove that there was no difference. It blew a huge hole in the sales reps pitch. There was no difference except the cost. Sorry to hijack your post Richard but....... If you can use C02 for welding, could you use a carbonator from a soda fountain to create your own C02? I used to work in the vending area years ago and that is what makes your pop bubbly.....just a thought. It would essentially be free then.
I have always used the 75/25 mix. Recently took a welding class and straight CO2 was in the bottle. Welded fine, but not as clean. Bottom line, try them both, see what works for you.
Tried CO2,by mistake,with the TIG welder at school,on steel. Not a good idea,took a little while to figure it out.
the carbonator did not produce CO2. it mixed the CO2 with water and chilled it some so the water would stay carbonated. then the carbonated water was mixed with syrup at the fountain head to produce the pop.
I use Co2 and have no complaints. My 2 year old Miller lists welder settings for both gases. My local dealer told me the mix would be a little cleaner, but not that much difference.
If you want Co2, just run a tube from your exhaust pipe on a running engine over to your weld, to keep the Oxy out of it..... J/K
I've been using C02 for 20 years and my welds look great. The argon mix is way more expensive, and I can't tell the difference in weld quality. The C02 does weld a little hotter, so it's good to use it on a machine where a little more heat might be needed.
I have and use both. My Miller heli-arc came set up for mixed gas or straight argon but my Hobart MIG came with a CO2 set up. The mix gas is a little cleaner but the CO2 welds fine on steel. I use straight Argon welding stainless or aluminum.
I use .030 wire and CO2 for cages, frames and suspension parts. I use Straight argon and .024 wire for sheet metal work. I'm 56, started welding in my Dad's shop when I was 9. Actually tried CO2 once TIG welding Aluminum (when I was out of Argon).....LOL What a mess it makes..... MIZ
My used new welder came with big full bottle of mix but we run a small co2 bottle and I believe that bottle is equivalant to maybe a bottle 13 times with a gas only bottle. I took home co2 from work and tried the co2 side by side the mix and they both weld fine the mix a little cleaner weld but for the price I use Co2 and safe the mix for some very small gauge sheet metal. The welder has setting inside for co2 only says to add 3unit to the volt setting. Ed
The Jalopy Journal
