What gas to use with TIG and mild steel?

[ausyota]

Im thinking of getting a little CIG Weldskill 170 inverter welder from work.
I am going to get the TIG torch kit with it.
I have never TIG welded before only MIG and Stick.
I have a bottle of Argoshield Universal that I use with my MIG will that be OK to use with the TIG just on mild steel?
I dont really want to have to fark around with the rental on another bottle just for me to learn to tig and do the occasional weld.
Paul.

[adam big lad]

hi made a welder by trade and you'll be fine with that set up
adam

[awill4x4]

hi made a welder by trade and you'll be fine with that set up
adam

No he won't, you'll never get by with using Argoshield for Tig welding it will contaminate the tungstens pronto.
Welding grade Argon is the best gas to use, Helium can be used but the cost is prohibitive and the only real benefit of Helium is on thicker Aluminium sections.
Regards Andrew. (a "tig" welder by trade)

[ausyota]

hi made a welder by trade and you'll be fine with that set up
adam

No he won't, you'll never get by with using Argoshield for Tig welding it will contaminate the tungstens pronto.
Welding grade Argon is the best gas to use, Helium can be used but the cost is prohibitive and the only real benefit of Helium is on thicker Aluminium sections.
Regards Andrew. (a "tig" welder by trade)

So could I get by using straight Argon on the MIG as well?
Having just the one bottle is what Im trying for.

[madpaje]

straight argon for both will be fine (sheety by trade)

[ausyota]

So how does changing the gas with MIG affect the weld properties?
I see you can get argoshield universal, argoshield light, argon, CO2 etc etc.

I understand Argoshield light is better for thin materials but why?
Is the gas not just an inert gas for shielding the weld from oxygen?

How will my MIG welds differ if I use argon instead of universal?

Sorry for all the questions guys but I work in a shop that sells welders and this info is really helpfull not just for me but the customers I look after.
Cheers
Paul.

[350hplux]

been a bm/w for 30 yrs , use argon for the tig but only use it on the mig when you are welding aluminium. you will get a rank weld using argon on the mig ,welding mild steel. it sucks i know but you will need 2 bottles . cheers darin

[bru21]

been a bm/w for 30 yrs , use argon for the tig but only use it on the mig when you are welding aluminium. you will get a rank weld using argon on the mig ,welding mild steel. it sucks i know but you will need 2 bottles . cheers darin

I agree, always have a go with argon when I run out the other bottles. always marginal.

argon for tig, universal for mild steel.

[adam big lad]

sorry miss read question awill4x4 is right you will get a pox weld sorry adam

[zagan]

So how does changing the gas with MIG affect the weld properties?
I see you can get argoshield universal, argoshield light, argon, CO2 etc etc.

I understand Argoshield light is better for thin materials but why?
Is the gas not just an inert gas for shielding the weld from oxygen?

How will my MIG welds differ if I use argon instead of universal?

Cheers
Paul.

Different names for different gas mixes.

Shielding is the main reason but not the only reason, for using a certain gas for doing a welding process.

Using Pure Argon will give less splatter.

The answer is there, if you know why.

[lukes4x4]

I`d only use pure argon otherwise it will blow out everywhere. can use it also on chromoly and stainless.

[85lux]

argon is significantly more expensive than argoshield.... argon for tig, argoshield for mig.

[awill4x4]

argon is significantly more expensive than argoshield.... argon for tig, argoshield for mig.

Unfortunately is a case of the gas companies gouging as much money out of the end user as possible. At work we used to use BOC but their prices got way out of hand, over $100 at the moment for "G" sized bottles. The equivalent from Air Liquide now is $55ish for us but we use a fair amount, I'm using a bottle every 2 weeks or so.
Regards Andrew.

[matt.mcinnes]

argon is significantly more expensive than argoshield.... argon for tig, argoshield for mig.

Unfortunately is a case of the gas companies gouging as much money out of the end user as possible. At work we used to use BOC but their prices got way out of hand, over $100 at the moment for "G" sized bottles. The equivalent from Air Liquide now is $55ish for us but we use a fair amount, I'm using a bottle every 2 weeks or so.
Regards Andrew.

Yes but your drinking it

[mickbeny]

Hi all...Awill4x4,I used to use a bottle a day,lol.

[Z()LTAN]

Hi all...Awill4x4,I used to use a bottle a day,lol.

well rar rar rar i use a gazillion bottles +2 every day so nerr....


lol J/K

[eliteforce32]

..... as for what was actually asked, why use different types of gases?..
well different gases give different finishes, different level of potential pentration due to burning hotter.... in the 4 state of matter, don't ask, some mig and some tig a coctail mixes to achieve different results and different chemical make of materials being fused, as for names that is gas company origanated branding...

Tig for mild steel and stainless.... stick with Argon only ( peacock blue bottle) ...

that is all

[nick bj40]

hey guys just what i was looking for iv got the cig inverter welder ausyota is talkin about

what i would like to kno is which is the best tungsten ive been led to beleve the red tip electrodes?? is this right mainly (like 99%) mild steel

[ausyota]

I ordered my welder today through work.
It is a brand new model on the market a Weldskill 170HF.
It comes as a complete kit with all the TIG stuff as well as stick and is a High Frequency machine that is suposed to be the ducks nuts for a cheapy.
I have also found someone with a bottle of argon that they dont use anymore that said I can finish it off and give them back the bottle to take back
So that gives me a chance to get started and if its a good thing I will invest in a bottle of my own.

[nick bj40]

kool thats good can you tell me more about the welder? like duty cycle, price and about how big it is please and is the high frequency a sperate box or is it built in???

[ausyota]

kool thats good can you tell me more about the welder? like duty cycle, price and about how big it is please and is the high frequency a sperate box or is it built in???

I dont know any details as yet untill I get hold of it.
I just rang up our CIG sales rep and told him I was thinking of getting the TIG stuff for the 170 invertor for myself and he said to get this new one cause its heaps better.
He is doing me a good price too
More details and pics when it shows up.
Paul.

[mickbeny]

Hi all...nickbj40,yes the red tip is Thoriated tungsten,good for stainless mildsteel copper ect DC applications.

[nick bj40]

mickbeny sweeet thanks mate

ausyota just bought one of the 170 inverter and i got the tig kit a mask and a regulator with it for $750 i was stoked and now there is a new 1 and for wat i could find on the net last nite its hf, same size couldnt find a duty anywhere but how good these little buggers are i think that might be my next step up so keep us informed plz