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Today I'm picking up the tank and argon for Dan's Tig, and I thought I needed 100 percent pure argon . But when I called it in to the welding supply company, the guy tells me if we are welding steel we need a mix of argon and something else. He said pure argon is only for aluminum.
I just want to be sure. Dan will be doing pretty much only steel to start.
Thanks for any light you can shed on this.
Don
Don:
I'm no expert but I think 100% argon is good for both. I just checked my tanks and they say Argon. Doesn't say anything on the tank label about argon mix. I use the same tank for chrommoly, aluminum & mild steel. The only change i make for aluminum is the Tungsten Electrode & the polarity Setting. When I get the tanks refilled (exchanged) I ask for argon. Welds look good and haven't failed so I must be close to right.
Denny I just saw your post. The 75% - 25% must be the mix for a ''general purpose'' tank of argon. I didn't see any % on the tank label?
Well..ain't that somthin' As I hit the post button just now the mail dropped on my desk. Just got the Miller "Applied Welding" newsletter. Ain't that somthin'. :LOL:
Thanks to both of you. So the mix is what I want, I guess. I had just always heard straight argon, and it confused me. (doesn't take a whole lot to do that anymore :confused: :confused: )
Don
i always used straight argon for mild, stainless, and aluminum. that is what the shop always ordered and that is how the miller tech set it up.
I gave you guys a link to the welding forum at Miller .I think you will get a good answer there.Go to the miller site ,then to the "ASK ANDY" Page to ask your question.I now you will get the right answer here ,but you might get it a little faster there.:D
100% is what I've been using. Probably because i told the weld supplier I "might" be doing more than just mild steel. So, this way i'm covered. I've never welded aluminum (I should give it a try), The only aluminum welding my machine has done was by my brother. He's been a welder his whole career (retired now). He makes aluminum welding look soooo easy.
Streight Argon TIG Mix for MIG You can also use Helieum for aluminum, but the price of that has over doubled in the last 6 mo.
Ok, I called Miller and spoke to a Tig Techician. He says use pure Argon. Only time you would want helium is for really thick stuff, and then you blend that in with Argon.
I called the welding supply back, and the guy there says " I've been a welder for a long time, and a blend is what you want, but if you insist on Argon, I will fill the tank with that." What the heck is the scoop here???
I am going to go with pure Argon, because Miller should know what works in their machines. Plus, this a the biggest tank they make, so I don't want a years supply of the wrong stuff. I can't ask Dan, because it is part of his gift, that he thinks he has to buy after Xmas to make the Tig work.
They said the only time you would not want to use pure Argon is if you are building a Pro Camaro that is all caged and going to run fast. They said the thing will fall apart on the first pass. JUST KIDDING PRO, JUST KIDDING.:LOL: :LOL:
Thanks to all for the help.
Don
I'm not gonna' redo all the welds. I'll just go buy some really good insurance and call it good. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
The fellow at your welding supply has TIG welding confused with MIG welding.Quote:
Originally Posted by Itoldyouso
The 75/25 blend is used for MIG.
As you have been told and decided to go with; straight argon (or argon/helium mix) is the correct usage for TIG welding.
I guess that means I can cancel the insurance policy. :D :D :D :D :D :D
i have use only 100 % argon for tig welding and that would be any thing. steel .Ssteel. Iron .Alum or you can use a mix of helium and argon or 100% helium
What I have come to find out about the guys at my welding supply is they are paid for what they sell.Most of the time they are saying what ever just to get you to buy ,and out the door.:mad:
I always use straight argon for tig, even in welding school, we used straight argon for everything we tigged, mix is for mig
Yeah, that guy at the weld shop was a real zero. He almost steered me wrong on that, plus he told me everything Dan needed to get started is in the Miller box. Wrong. I bought two 10 lb boxes of filler rod, and an end for the power cord, because Miller leaves the end off so you can wire right to a fuse box.
I had to pull info out of this guy every step of the way, and when I finally asked if there was anything else I should buy, he said "no, you have it all." Turns out there were no tungsten tips or what ever those things are you have to keep grinding occasionally, so I will have to go back there tomorrow.
I had to give Dan the tank and stuff early, because I couldn't lift it out of the trunk due to the weight of it. Obviously, he is happy, and can't wait until he and I go to the shop Xmas day so he can start practicing with it. Got it wired up tonight, and the lights came on, so I guess he is pretty much set.:3dSMILE:
I felt sort of bad buying the Tig on line, but after dealing with this local know-nothing, I don't feel bad at all. He had a chance to add to my purchase today, but it was me that had to keep asking questions and making suggestions.
Just want to say thanks again for all the helpful, quick responses so that I got the right stuff. I was more confused making this purchase than when I used to have to go into Fredricks of Hollywood for my wife or girlfriends Xmas gift. :eek: :3dSMILE:
Don
100% argon only, you don't need mixes it just cost more, only other gas you might need is if you are tigging heavy aluminum and need more heat so you would use helium
Ahh, But str8 argon works for aluminum also, even 1/2" aluminum. I just did some 1/2" aluminum welding a few days ago.
http://skins.hotbar.com/skins/mailsk.../emoti_213.gif
Dang!! This is almost a year old.
So, Don, how did it all work out? Did you go with straight argon?
In my learning experience, we were taught the following: straight argon for general TIG work, and a helium mix for some special stuff like heavy aluminum, if you wanted; argon-co2 mix on MIG, except for some special cases. I think it has to do with the composition of the filler metal, and the characteristics of, and the way the arc reacts with the base metal and the filler.
Don went on to do the weld, got married had 3 children and wrote a best seller entitled ''1001 uses for argon''. He stated the book was a gas to write, but the royalty checks "are gone'. :whacked:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rrumbler
Quote:
Originally Posted by pro70z28
LOL, he,he,he..... ;)
You forgot about my ill-fated run for the Presidency and that little "incident" with Paris Hilton. . :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :D
We finally went with an argon mix. He won't be doing any aluminum in the forseeable future, so we didn't need pure argon. In fact, he has only played with the tig a few times so far, although he did tig the front shock tubes on his Brothers T.
Don
If your trying the 75/25 for tig welding, that explains why he hasn't used the tig much---use 100% argon and he'll use the tig all the time as the weld quality and appearance are so much better.
Jerry, you are right, and I lied!! :o It's been almost a year since I did this, and I forgot that we actually went with straight Argon. The mix I think is something in our Mig welder. I reread my posts and I did decide to go with Argon.
To double check, I called Miller today, and yes, argon is the preferred gas for tig as the welds are cleaner, even on steel. The reason he hasn't used it much is because he has become so comfortable and good with the mig. He needs to practice more on the tig.
Now you see why my run for the Presidency failed. :o :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Don
& writing that book had to take the air out of your schedule also. :LOL: