Wire Feed Welder (what kind of gas)?

A lot of people get away with CO2 on their MIGs but I assume Argon is better.

Reply to
gfretwell
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I just noticed an ad in the paper for a local guy selling a Hobart 120 Wire feed welder. I called the guy and he said it belonged to a relative and he inherited it. He knows it works, but he has never used it, and said he knows nothing about welding which is why he is selling it. He said its complete with a spool of wire and the gauges for the gas, but no tank of gas.

I went to the Hobart website and they dont have this model listed, but have a Handler 125 listed, so I assume its similar but a newer model. Hobart has a .PDF file for the manual, but I downloaded it 3 times and it's a defective file. The only other info I could find is just a basic list of features. I think I know most I need, and know it can use flux wire without the gas, or use solid wire with the gas. My question is what kind of gas is used for these welders?

I've only used stick welders in the past, so I am new to these wire feed types.

Thanks for all help.

Jim

Reply to
Jimw

Argon

Reply to
Robert Allison

we used straight co2 for years on ours. But the C25/argon mix works much better. You'll need straight argon for aluminum or stainless.

steve

Reply to
Steve Barker

If it's not a self darkening, what number shade should I use?

Thanks for all the info and help.

Jim

Reply to
Jimw
10

12 if your using TIG , but 10 is fine for MIG and stick.

s
Reply to
Steve Barker

Wirefeeds use either straight CO2, or a mix of argon/CO2. The mix can be

75/25 or 86/14 depending on the properties you want in the weld. If you are doing just tubing and ornamental metal, CO2 will do just fine, and the mixed gases are four times the cost. The cost for a CO2 tank is much less, too, as they are available from soda dispensers. You don't have to prove ownership of CO2 tanks, and can get them refilled at more places because people use them for paintball and soda dispensers. CO2 regulators and tanks can be had for $20 each. A mixed gas cylinder can cost up to $300 plus $75 for the gas plus $100 or so for the regulator. Lincoln has good support, and you can go to their site and request the locations to describe all the various mixes.

HTH

Steve, welding for 34 years now

Reply to
SteveB

9 or 10
Reply to
SteveB

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