8 replies to this topic

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

Hi all, I have just been reading the posts concerning which kind of welder is best but I still have one question about them. Bearing in mind this concerns a Mini do you think that the gas type of mig welder is better or is there little difference. I used a gasless one years ago on an MG and it seemed ok but I want to be sure. Over to you and thanks.

[rhys-89]

Gas for me had gasless before and much prefer gas. Ide go for a rented gas bottle as its cheaper in the long run than the disposable bottles. And much better burn and supply i find.

I use a snapon mig welder.

[Spider]

Gas for sure.

 

Just following on from ryhs-89's suggesting re: renting vs purchase the bottles, if you're going to get stuck right in to a welding project and have it out of the way in a few months with no real welding to follow, I'd suggest renting the bottles, however, if you'd like to have the welder to use later from time to time, then buy the bottle, though not the disposable stuff, you'll burn through that in no time. Some outlets have the same 'rental' type bottles for sale, which when empty, you can swap over for similar prices to refills on rental bottles.

[rhys-89]

My bottle above was originally £60 to buy/rent then £40 to fill and now only cost £40 a time to change over. I get my £60 if i ever return the bottle. So i actually purchased it.

[nicklouse]

Gas, I have a customer bottle that I just take back the the retail center and they give me a full one.

So each refill is with a checked bottle. Rather than just having mine refilled.

I have rented in the past and would not do it again. I is not much different to now but the monthly cost build up.

[Ethel]

Gasless is still handy, but the welds aren't as nice. Most gasless migs can also use gas. The choice has got simpler now you can buy a bottle outright and just pay for refills without ongoing rental charges. 

http://www.adamsgas....fill-9l-137bar/ , you may find others on the mig welding forum.

[Mini-Hazel-Nut]

Thank you all. The general concensus seems to be to go for the gas type which I suspected would be the case. So it`s gas for me. Thanks again.

[jsor26]

Most Mig welders will do either flux core wire or gas. Gas is a much cleaner weld but flux core is better for heavy steel welds.

[tiger99]

No it isn't. The only time that flux core may be better is outdoors when the wind would blow the gas away. On thick steel there is the risk of defective welds due to flux inclusions, same as with MMA (stick) welding, which in most cases is what should be used on heavy stuff anyway.