Is 100% Co2 alright for mild steel?

[Eric Nickelsen]

I have a lincoln 140HD so far I've only used flux wire so I'm chipping and brushing. I've ask my LWS about shielding gas and they recommend a 85% argon and 15% co2. To start out I would need to purchase the cylinder the smallest is the 60cf. which stands about 30" tall they priced that at $255.00. I did not purchase this yet. The same set up with 100% co2 is about a $100.00 less. With the cheaper gas for mild steel will this be a O.K.? How will the weld look and will there be alot of spatter? Thank You Eric.

[wayne50]

I am just a "hobby" welder, but 100% CO2 is all I have ever used. If you get the machine dialed in, you will have little spatter. You are supposed to get a little better penetration with 100% CO2.

[smyrna5]

Dan posted a nice test of the HH140 on CO2 here:

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=28689&highlight=dan+140+co2

I'm not sure how well the Lincoln will perform, but CO2 is all I have ever used on my HH 140. I just bought an old soda fountain bottle with regulators off craigslist. I posted that adventure here somewhere. Works for me.

[Zrexxer]

Perfectly fine. Some machines like it a little better than others, but it's definitely the most bang-for-the-buck in shielding gas. I bought four 20 lb soda bottles on Craigslist for $60, and two of them were full and two were about half full.

This isn't the greatest picture, but this was run with a Lincoln 175 and 100% CO2. It's a reweld after grinding out a defective factory weld.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/Zrexxer/Projects/EngineHoist011-640.jpg

[MAC702]

I wonder where you are. My local Airgas in Las Vegas only carried the 86/14 mixture of Ar/CO2. Even though most of us prefer the 75/25 mix for these small short-circuit machines. I've used both and there is a small difference. The 86/14 was better in more powerful machines, but it still worked in the small ones, just with a narrower sweet spot.

But for the original question, I also like CO2 for most work. Lasts longer, cheaper, and nearly as spatter-free in these machines. The argon mix will let you weld thinner material if you are doing that, though.

[Broccoli1]

One more for Co2:)

As mentioned check Craig's List and not just in the Tool section ; Home Brew doods use the same Co2 jugs and they may not list them in the Tool Section.


a 20lb Jug of Co2 is = to 175CF:):)

[mudbug]

Those Co2 bottles are in the restaurant supply sections also. I gave away a bunch of them after I closed my restaurant.

They come in steel(heavy) & aluminum(not so heavy) FWIW. Make friends with someone with a restaurant...I only paid a $5 deposit on the bottles with free gas for the drink machine. Now I'd like to have that option again.

[hogan]

one thing to remember about the CO2 is that it will not conduct electricity as well as Ar. you can get more ( spray ) out of a 110 machine with lower CO2. You will typically need 80% Ar for spray, but with the 110's the lower CO2 will help with the lower power available.

[whateg0]

...more ( spray ) out of a 110 machine ....

???:confused:???

[Broccoli1]

???:confused:???

It's possible but not really practical:) as you will most likely hit Duty Cycle as you will be at the upper range of the machine

[hogan]

it is possible, the lower CO2 will help. i said nothing about practical for production. just stating the facts.

[Roger]

Esab Lowest listed spray transfer setting
.023 in, 0.6 mm 400 ipm, 1016 cm/min 100 23 2.7 lbs./hr., 1.2 kg./hr.
Probably with 80/20 or 90/10 Argon/CO2 shielding gas.
My guess its Not practical because Short circuit will work as good or better.

[aametalmaster]

I just got a free 80 cf co2 tank for free that was 20+ years out of test. I had it tested and filled for 40 bucks so i put it on my welder for summer use. The 75/25 argon i was using seems to stick with me when i sweat. Even 2 showers a day won't get the argon smell from my skin so until the cold hits i will use the 75/25...Bob

[Bob the Welder]

Must be something else causing the smell because argon is oderless, colorless and tasteless in both liquid and gaseous states.

[aametalmaster]

Must be something else causing the smell because argon is oderless, colorless and tasteless in both liquid and gaseous states.

Yup, it must be when it mixes with my body chemistry like perfume on a lady. I quit a job because i couldn't take it anymore welding alum all the time...Bob

[ventureline]

one thing to remember about the CO2 is that it will not conduct electricity as well as Ar. you can get more ( spray ) out of a 110 machine with lower CO2. You will typically need 80% Ar for spray, but with the 110's the lower CO2 will help with the lower power available.

Spray with Co2, Hmmmm not likely, even 75Argon/25 C02 is globular transfer, 85/15 yes, 98 argon 2% o2 yes

[hogan]

Spray with Co2, Hmmmm not likely, even 75Argon/25 C02 is globular transfer, 85/15 yes, 98 argon 2% o2 yes

thank you for agreeing with me. although it seems that you might not realize it. i said nothing about being able to spray with 100% co2. in fact what i said was that you will need to lower the co2. i also agree with the 98-2, but i have not used or reviewed any info on the 85-15. might have to give it a try.