I know you guys weld, I just bought a Hobart Handler 175 Mig. It came with Gasless flux core wire and it doesn't weld worth a dam. I'm wanting to get some gas, I weld mostly steel. Sheet metal, frames, cars, motorcycle. Do I want to go straight Co2?? I went to a place for gas and they said 75% argon and 25% co2 is the way to go. I'm new to the mig welder thing I've always had stick welders any help would be great. Thanks

 

Unless you are going to weld SS or Alum, go with the 75/25 mix and spend the extra money for a tank that will last at least 1 hour. I use 75/25 with .30 wire for sheet metal to 3/8 steel. Set the feed to about mid-range and start with the lowest recommended heat range. When you get the heat/feed correct, the mig tip will buzz slightly. Always clip off the wire flush with the mig tip when starting a new bead so you have gas flow before wire contact. When overlapping beads, go to the next higher heat range. Mig welding is the shiznit for the garage mechanic but it takes some practice. Finally, a quick dim welding mask makes it much easier to run neat beads since your eyes don't leave your work.

Hope this helps!

 

I'm getting a big tank. I think they called it a "Q" size, does it really burn through the gas? It's over $40 to fill it up every time. I'd rather stick weld if that's the case.

 

That is standard to get the flux cored wire. For what is does the wire works fine exept for splatter, doesnt look pretty but will do the job. CO2 is cheaper and will work well for any mild steel work you will do, Stainless, alum will need pure Argon and the appropriate wire. If you go gas your regulator should be set about 20-30 cfm depending on how breezy it is. It will take some practice. The helmet that UBETRUN was talking about is an autodarken helmet, expensive but very nice to have, cheap ones are a couple hundred bucks and up from there.
If you need any other info email me.

 

what is the cheapest set up i can use to weld aluminum? thank

 

I have a Auto Darken helmet. It's a Phantom Singles shade #10. It's the best purchace I've made with welding equipment, turn it on and go. I really like it because you can see through it prefect when it's dim so you never have to lift up your helmet it's just always set to the perfect shade.

 

Well that just depends on what it is. You can buy Aluminum stick electrodes that will work on a regular buzz box. They are hard to use. Two reasons for this , very smoky, and hard to get the temp set right. Aluminum is difficult at the best of times. Mig would be next then tig, you can buy small units but they usually run a couple of grand.

 

For mild steel CO2 works great. Argon is a rare inert gas that, like helium, is pricey. The Auto-darkening helmets are fantastic, especially with a MIG. I forget what cylinder sizes are,,,,Q is about 30" tall, I think. The "S" cylinders are bigger, about 5' high. They last a really long time, but are awkward to roll around. I rent a big cylinder if I have a really big job to do, the rest of the time I use my 30" cylinder, which makes a much nicer package to roll around the shop.
....Welding aluminum is very tricky. The best thing is to get someone to help you set up your stuff for aluminum and show you how. I have a spoolgun on my MillerMatic 250 MIG welder, which is supposed to be an okay set up and I am still having problems with aluminum. Aluminum does not like to push through the regular 15' MIG gun. TIG is the way to go with aluminum, that is what all the really pretty aluminum welding is done with.

 

I'm going with the 25% Co2 75% Argon mixture. I talked to welding shops and they said Co2 is fine if you want a sputtery weld, they said go 25/75 if you want a clean weld. I'm really liking this welder, now that I've got the hang of it I just weld anything I can find. I get old pieces of steel and just weld them together.... It will be a different story when I get rid of that Flux Core gasless and get some gas hooked up and good wire, I will use it when I NEED TO because it's pretty expensive to fill those tanks up and I've heard they don't last very long. Thanks