16 replies to this topic

[djdanmk]

Brought myself a second hand Clarke Mig 110EN Turbo welder today so I can do the body work myself on the mini once iv had some lessons and practiced first.

 

What size wire do people use 0.6 or 0.8?

 

It came with a used disposable bottle of Co2 gas (not sure how much is left in it) and was thinking of getting one of the bigger refillable gas bottles from Hobbyweld as iv read on other posts the disposable bottles don't last long and can work out expensive. They do Co2 bottles but also seen they do a tri gas mix (Hobbyweld 5 original Co2, Argon and Oxygen) and was wondering if this is better and what other people use.

[sonikk4]

0.6mm wire is fine for your car and use the Argon CO2 mix as this will give the best results. Hobbyweld or Adams will be fine either way.

[miniyellowmini]

I bought a cylinder of Hobbyweld 5 yesterday. Ideal for bodywork. Using 0.6 wire presently but have used 0.8 before with no problems.

[Ben_O]

+1 for hobbyweld argon co2. 

 

I have recently bought a second hand Snap on Mig welder and it came with 0.6 wire installed plus a roll of 0.8. I used the 0.6 up and then just changed the wire liner and tip and installed the 0.8 wire. Both are fine for the Mini's body work. I actually prefer the 0.8 but then that is what i used to use exclusively at work.

 

I always keep a disposable bottle on my welding trolley for when i run out of Gas because it always seems to run out right in the middle of a job.

 

I have mixed feelings about the disposable cylinders. The first few i used before switching to Hobby weld ran out in no time at all but i am currently using a disposable plain CO2 one which seems to be lasting ages which reminds me, i need to get my big one refilled....

 

People say that argon mix is better than CO2 but i don't really notice much of a difference personally.

 

Ben

[Hobbyweld]

Hi Everyone,

 

Just noticed this conversation and thought I'd share a bit of Trivia.

 

Ever notice a straight Carbon Dioixide (CO₂) cylinder will last longer than a tri-mix?

 

This is because the CO₂ is stored as a liquid in the cylinder (CO₂ turns to liquid at a much lower pressure) as you know, liquid is denser than gas - therefore has higher volume

As you use the gas, the liquid will turn into a gas inside the cylinder for you to withdraw.

 

We supply both the tri-mix (Hobbyweld 5 & 15) and straight CO₂. Despite the cylinder being the same size, the difference in gas volume is;

1.34 m³ for Hobbyweld 5

3.21 m³ for CO₂

This is purely due to the nature of the gas and is noticeable in any size cylinder

 

Where you benefit using the Hobbyweld Tri-Mix is; Better Arc-Stability, Low Porosity, Low Oxidation, Less Spatter and generally better welds. This is the chosen gas mixture for professional industrial use.

 

Hope this helps, or at least is a bit interesting :)

 

p.s. out of interest, the gas volume in our new 'Hobbyweld 5 Ultra' cylinder is 6.13 m³

[Daz1968]

I did look at the hobbyweld ultra as I currently use a standard hobbyweld bottle but the high £195 deposit would push me towards a rental cylinder from BOC as a Y bottle on the light use scheme is not to bad

[djdanmk]

Think i'll go for the Hobbyweld 5 gas.

[kezzkitkat]

Agree with ben o on the disposable cylinder always bail me out on the last bit

[Hobbyweld]

I did look at the hobbyweld ultra as I currently use a standard hobbyweld bottle but the high £195 deposit would push me towards a rental cylinder from BOC as a Y bottle on the light use scheme is not to bad

 

Hi Daz,

We understand the deposit is quite high on the cylinder, most of the charge is to cover the £60 in built regulator. Don't forget that the deposit is refundable though (less £18 - that's £177 of the £195 refunded). You won't receive any of the £100+ rental per year back.

Have a great Christmas everyone :)

[minikidx14]

Is that £18 for co2 argon mix?

[Cooperman]

I use 0.8 wire and BOC Argonshield with my Miller 150 MIG kit. It works really well.

[rally515]

I use 0.8 wire and BOC Argonshield with my Miller 150 MIG kit. It works really well.

 

How much are BOC charging you Peter ? just purely out of interest really as they were charging us £80 a throw! (and now the same bottle at Hobbyweld is £30!!)

[joakwin]

Witch ever is the cheaper price to pay

I used boc for a year one time and then I switched to Adams gas

I use a Lincoln 175 amp machine, I use the smallest wire because the sheet metal on our shells is paper thin

[castafiore]

The best value deal for a large amount of mig gas is usually considered to the BOC Volkszone deal. This was a deal offered to readers of Volkszone mag, later extended to anybody. Not all BOC agents know about it so you have to set up your account with BOC head office. It's not on the BOC website.

There is a big thread on it on the Mig welding forum. Can't do a link but easy to find with Google. Cost is about £47 a year cylinder rental and about £27 a refill - this is for a size Y bottle of Argoshield lite which gives 500 minutes of welding.

[castafiore]

I should add that I understand you get the balance of the rental refunded if you take the bottle back early.