15 replies to this topic

[Phil-R]

I've been gearing up to do a BIG welding job to get the mini back on the road. I've done lots of practice and my test welds are looking the best they ever have, but there's still something missing. I've been using straight 100% Argon shielding gas as that's what I need for my TIG welder, but after research it looks like that's not a good choice at all (tall welds with reduced fusion)

 

I've narrowed the choice down to either an Argon / CO₂ mix  or the HobbyWeld 5 trimix (92% Ar, 5% CO_2, 2%O₂). taking into acount deposits, delivery, refill cost etc, there's not a lot to chose between them. Question is, What mix do you guys prefer. If a two gas mix, what ratio, 80/20, 85/15, 90/10, 95/5 ???

 

Any other ideas welcome 

 

[mattmiglia]

I use 80/20 but have heard good things about the argoshield so I'm interested in trying it next time

[Daz1968]

I use argoshield light 5% I think, hobby weld 5 is similar

[Carlos W]

http://www.adamsgas....fill-9l-137bar/

[Van13]

I use argoshield light 5% I think, hobby weld 5 is similar

+1 that's what I've been using with good results mine is a ultra bottle 195£ initial lay out 180£when finished with

[Daz1968]

I am on low use age scheme about £47 per year rental and £33 fill charge for a y sized cylinder which is 20 litres at 200 bar, couldn't find any non rental cylinders to be this cheap on refill. My hobby weld was more expensive for about 1/4 the gas

[Phil-R]

Cheers for all the answers so far guys.

 

I priced up a rental ones, but for my usage, that works out more expensive. I'd spotted AdamsGas too, but unfortunately that works out a touch more expensive than Hobbyweld. The Hobbyweld 5 Ultra sized bottle looks good, but £195 for the deposit is too much money this month, but the smaller Hobbyweld 5 bottle (trimix) is definitely a contender.

 

Suppliers /brands /costs aside, what I really want to know is what specific mix you guys use...

 

BOC Argoshield and Hobbweld 5 are both a trimix gas (same composition) and from what I've read, they should weld something like a normal 80/20 gas. Is there any real world difference? Then there's several different Ar₂/CO₂ ratios I've seen quoted for the 2 gas mixes. My normal gas supplier can mix any ratio, so should I try something else, 90/10 maybe? I Only really need the MIG for thin bodywork (for other jobs I nearly always turn to TIG or MMA). 

Edited by Phil-R, 25 March 2016 - 04:32 PM.

[Daz1968]

I have a hobby weld cylinder but when you work it out, £60 deposit and 4 refills at £130 minimum dependant upon stockist, vs one boc y sized at £47 + £33 fill so £80 even with the rental compared to the £130 for hobbyweld without. You can return cylinder when job finished and get partial refund on rent. Doing the maths if you use more than two hobbyweld cylinders a year it works out cheaper to rent.
Other options like Adams gas are no cheaper when you work it out.
I used 2/3 cylinder of hobbyweld in one weekend when doing floor.

[Phil-R]

I have a hobby weld cylinder but when you work it out, £60 deposit and 4 refills at £130 minimum dependant upon stockist, vs one boc y sized at £47 + £33 fill so £80 even with the rental compared to the £130 for hobbyweld without.

...

...

 

I think rent vs no-rent is going to be a  different decision for everyone, but more importantly Daz1968, do you remember which mix ratios you tried? Did you like how they welded?

Edited by Phil-R, 25 March 2016 - 06:22 PM.

[Daz1968]

I have only used hobby weld 5 and argoshield light and they are basically the same, 5% is recommended for thin sheet welding so never bothered with anything else.

[STG95F]

I also use 5% mix .  Works very well 

Edited by STG95F, 25 March 2016 - 06:34 PM.

[lawrence]

I use plain co2. Not the best but I'm used to it now

[Phil-R]

I use plain co2...

Had a look through first 10 pages of your build diary. Seriously impressed to be honest. That's more weldind than I took on when I got my welder and you really got stuck in! I don't envy you using straight CO2 though... Supposed to difficult on low power settings :-/

[lawrence]

Cheers man, she's getting there. At Least leaving her outside now I know she's not disintegrating internally!

It can be but I suppose theirs a knack like with most things. If I were you, test some of the different disposables out and see what you like, but that's purely my idea and follows no evidence base just my opinion

[sonikk4]

I have mentioned it before but I used CO2 a great deal in the 80's and 90's with no issues at all with very clean welds. It's only recently since the 2000's I went over to Argoshield light. I use BOC and their largest portable bottle. One of these usually lasts a full body mini resto so I get my money's worth.