26 replies to this topic

[jenks74]

Cool thanks of the replies guys,

 

looks like ill be hunting down a cheap gas welder    my next question was going to be about the best type of gas and where to buy it but that seems to of been answered as well so thanks, hobby weld it is 

[jenks74]

Gas mig welders are the way for thin sheet steel, one thing with the gas, I switched from pub CO2 bottle as I read up on the mig welding forum that argon/CO2 mix is better to use, BUT beware, my new bottle from hobbyweld only lasted 2 weeks, my co2 bottle lasted years so I'm going to swap back once this new bottle runs out. I got told when enquiring why it had run out so fast that they are just for use for small jobs etc not for every day use which I thought was a bit out of order, its as if they fill the bottle to just shy of 2000psi as my gauge has already moved from that after only a few hours use, anyway I'd go for pub co2 bottle cheaper refills too

eean was it the Hobbyweld 5 gas that your using at the moment?

[eean]

It is yes, it doesn't last long if you use it a lot lol, I run it at around 6-8 psi when using in a non windy area luckily in my garage, make sure your gauge is a twin dial one which shows you how much gas is left in the bottle, even when it registers empty there's still quite a bit in on mine at least
Oh when you look at seconds hand mig setups see if you can get a fan assisted one they run cooler and you can weld for longer without it tripping to cool down, they usually call them turbo migs

Edited by eean, 02 September 2015 - 07:18 AM.

[Ben_O]

I have this model

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4aefad6817

 

I can't recommend it enough. Quite old now but spares are plentiful and they are very nice to use.

 

(that's not mine for sale by the way)

[R1mini]

It is yes, it doesn't last long if you use it a lot lol, I run it at around 6-8 psi when using in a non windy area luckily in my garage, make sure your gauge is a twin dial one which shows you how much gas is left in the bottle, even when it registers empty there's still quite a bit in on mine at least
Oh when you look at seconds hand mig setups see if you can get a fan assisted one they run cooler and you can weld for longer without it tripping to cool down, they usually call them turbo migs

 

You either have a leak or your not comparing like with like, gas is gas, whether you have CO2 or Argon/CO2 coming out the nozzle at 6-8psi.

 

I use soapy water to test the connection and I always turn off the main tap when I'm finished welding. I also check the bottle with a gauge before removing from the suppliers as I have found in the past that the bottle may not be as full as expected

 

Cheers

David

[Ben_O]

 

It is yes, it doesn't last long if you use it a lot lol, I run it at around 6-8 psi when using in a non windy area luckily in my garage, make sure your gauge is a twin dial one which shows you how much gas is left in the bottle, even when it registers empty there's still quite a bit in on mine at least
Oh when you look at seconds hand mig setups see if you can get a fan assisted one they run cooler and you can weld for longer without it tripping to cool down, they usually call them turbo migs

 

You either have a leak or your not comparing like with like, gas is gas, whether you have CO2 or Argon/CO2 coming out the nozzle at 6-8psi.

 

I use soapy water to test the connection and I always turn off the main tap when I'm finished welding. I also check the bottle with a gauge before removing from the suppliers as I have found in the past that the bottle may not be as full as expected

 

Cheers

David

 

I use my welder a lot and the last bottle i got was half price because there was a problem where hobbyweld supplied the supplier with half full bottles.

 

I have had it months now and it's just creeping down to the empty on the gauge.

[eean]

It is yes, it doesn't last long if you use it a lot lol, I run it at around 6-8 psi when using in a non windy area luckily in my garage, make sure your gauge is a twin dial one which shows you how much gas is left in the bottle, even when it registers empty there's still quite a bit in on mine at least
Oh when you look at seconds hand mig setups see if you can get a fan assisted one they run cooler and you can weld for longer without it tripping to cool down, they usually call them turbo migs

 
You either have a leak or your not comparing like with like, gas is gas, whether you have CO2 or Argon/CO2 coming out the nozzle at 6-8psi.
 
I use soapy water to test the connection and I always turn off the main tap when I'm finished welding. I also check the bottle with a gauge before removing from the suppliers as I have found in the past that the bottle may not be as full as expected
 
Cheers
David

Yeh I did think I had a leak at first, the gauge has registered 2000psi on both bottles, I do turn the bottle off every time and the gauge is disconnected at the moment, next time I put it back together I'll check with soapy water. I have heard someone on the mig forum say they asked about their bottle running out fast and they said they'd have to send the bottle back for testing which left him with no bottle, so couldn't carry on welding.
There's obviously some problem somewhere see the other post about half price. I'm still going back to co2 after this bottle

[sledgehammer]

+1 on leaks - & soapy water for finding them

 

I always set my gas as low as possible without getting oxide to make the gas last longer

 

also make sure no drafts , as the shield gas is easily blown away 

 

the gasless wire is good for outside welding , as wind can be a problem

 

another problem is the larger regulators with gauges , can get knocked , the gauges are weak & can get adjusted by the knock

 

then if you are setting flow by these gauges you may be over gassing , I always set the gas by sound , should be just a gentle flow

 

I usually use cougar - co2 & argon shield

 

tank pressure is usually psi/bar , line is usually Litre per min

Edited by sledgehammer, 02 September 2015 - 04:55 PM.

[eean]

Oh try to get an arc activated mask for overhead welding that covers your head and especially your ears so when welding underneath like sills you don't get splatter shooting down your earhole ( it hurts I tell ya lol)
My mask operates from solar power so no battery needed

[jenks74]

So after reading all these comments i've just bought one which comes with a small disposable CO2 cylinder which can be used as gas or gas less but I'm going to keep it set up as gas as the comments suggest it gives the best weld???

 

Next question is can i easily convert it to take a large bottle? Is it just a simple as buying a bigger regulator?

[Ben_O]

So after reading all these comments i've just bought one which comes with a small disposable CO2 cylinder which can be used as gas or gas less but I'm going to keep it set up as gas as the comments suggest it gives the best weld???

 

Next question is can i easily convert it to take a large bottle? Is it just a simple as buying a bigger regulator?

This kit will have what you need

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2101625625

 

the small gas tube comes off the disposable cylinder reg by pulling back a collar where it fits to the reg.

Then on the adapter hose for the new reg, there is a fitting with a collar and you just push the small hose into it. It's just a push fit

[jenks74]

Sweet cheers Ben