Argon

[Shane]

Anybody recommend a supplier for welding gases. General air is not to bad but haven't used any others. Looking to get a bottle of argon so I can doing some welding on the sons WJ. Welder coming soon, going to order the MIG 135 from Eastwood on sale for 280 w/ gas regulator. Thanks

[Hypoid]

Buckeye, FTW!

http://www.buckeyeweldingsupply.com/

[Shane]

Thanks Mike, I forgot about buckeye.

[EKXJ87]

We use this supplier at work, and I found that there welding gas and Co2 prices were better than General Air.

www.gasesandarc.com/ (http://www.gasesandarc.com/)

[Shane]

Thanks Steve.

[88Toy]

Buckeye as well. Is there any difference between argon and the mix with CO2 when it comes down to welding? I've never tried the pure gas.

[carpenle]

Love Buckeye!

[EKXJ87]

I think pure Argon is used mostly for Tig welding, in my opinion for Mig welding I would stay away from using pure CO2 and start out with a 75-25 blend it makes much better welds than plain CO2 or just ask the counter guy's what you are welding and they should steer you in the right direction.

[Serious Offroad]

I disagree.
Co2/Argon makes a very pretty weld, but straight CO2 makes a stronger weld...better penetration.

[Shane]

I mentioned argon because that is what I have been welding with for a long time, mostly when doing exhaust work. although I think it was general air that had a silvershield mix I forgot what the ratio's and gas that were in it but It did produce better welds when we used it for a short time. It was more costly so they did not want to keep using it.

[Cr33p3r]

Yep Buckeye, been going there for 20 yrs. Always treated good and they even fixed my mig gun for free.

[Hypoid]

You guys made me do some reading.

http://www.bernardwelds.com/mig-welding-shielding-gas-basics-p152080#.VDAFovldVlQ


Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the most common of the reactive gases used in MIG welding and the only one that can be used in its pure form without the addition of an inert gas. CO2 is also the least expensive of the common shielding gases, making an attractive choice when material costs are the main priority. Pure CO2 provides very deep weld penetration, which is useful for welding thick material; however, it also produces a less stable arc and more spatter than when it is mixed with other gases. It is also limited to only the short circuit process.
For many companies, including those that place an emphasis on weld quality, appearance and reducing post-weld clean up, a mixture of between 75 – 95 percent Argon and 5 – 25 percent CO2 will provide a more desirablecombination of arc stability, puddle control and reduced spatter than pure CO2. This mixture also allows the use of a spray transfer process, which can produce higher productivity rates and more visually appealing welds. Argon also produces a narrower penetration profile, which is useful for fillet and butt welds. If you’re welding a non-ferrous metal — aluminum, magnesium or titanium — you’ll need to use 100 percent Argon.
Oxygen, also a reactive gas, is typically used in rations of nine percent or less to improve weld pool fluidity, penetration and arc stability in mild carbon, low alloy and stainless steel. It does cause oxidation of the weld metal, however, so it is not recommended for use with aluminum, magnesium, copper or other exotic metals.
Helium, like pure Argon, is generally used with non-ferrous metals, but also with stainless steels. Because it produces a wide, deep penetration profile, Helium works well with thick materials, and is usually used in ratios between 25 — 75 percent Helium to 75 — 25 percent Argon. Adjusting these ratios will change the penetration, bead profile and travel speed. Helium creates a ‘hotter’ arc, which allows for faster travel speeds and higher productivity rates. However, it is more expensive and requires a higher flow rate than Argon, so you’ll need to calculate the value of the productivity increase against the increased cost of the gas. With stainless steels, Helium is typically used in a tri-mix formula of Argon and CO2.

[Hypoid]

Look, a free download!

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/US/EN/literature/C4200.pdf

Pages 12 through 15 discuss shield gas properties.

[Shane]

Reading is good for yah. Thanks for posting up the info makes for some good readin.