MIG welding questions

[Randylandy]

Just a couple of questions regarding my new (2nd hand) transmig 195 I bought the other day.

1. It has no regulator but I do have a few old Oxy regs floating around could I use one of these instead of a dedicated Shielding gas reg?

2. I am not planning on using it allot just the odd job every now and then hence not wanting to fork out great expence. I have seen soda stream co2 bottles used in the past. Is it possible to get other gasses ie Argon in a similar size bottle without having to rent it and where do you get them from?

3. I would like to try aluminium welding (my old boat) I understand I will need a new teflon linner and U groved rollers as well as over sized tips running Argon. Has anyone had any joy or other tips with this set up?

Thanks in advance

[bee utey]

No good reason why the oxy reg shouldn't work, except that if you go for the little disposable bottles of gas you will need to purchase a reg to suit the bottles. The little bottles are expensive and don't last very long but are economical to store and carry. Visit any tool shop or look on line for disposable welding gas bottles, eg

Argon-Co2**2.2*Ltr*x*One*(1)*Bottle*::*Gas*Bottles.*::*B ob*the*Welder (http://www.bobthewelder.com.au/product.php?productid=2264&cat=54&page=1)

http://www.bobthewelder.com.au/product.php?productid=201&cat=54&page=1 (http://www.bobthewelder.com.au/product.php?productid=2264&cat=54&page=1)

[Flaps]

To weld steel u will need argoshield and to weld ali u will need argon i think. And one of the oxy or acetylene guages are reverse thread cant remember which one.

[Slunnie]

Just a couple of questions regarding my new (2nd hand) transmig 195 I bought the other day.

1. It has no regulator but I do have a few old Oxy regs floating around could I use one of these instead of a dedicated Shielding gas reg?

2. I am not planning on using it allot just the odd job every now and then hence not wanting to fork out great expence. I have seen soda stream co2 bottles used in the past. Is it possible to get other gasses ie Argon in a similar size bottle without having to rent it and where do you get them from?

3. I would like to try aluminium welding (my old boat) I understand I will need a new teflon linner and U groved rollers as well as over sized tips running Argon. Has anyone had any joy or other tips with this set up?

Thanks in advance
Congrats on the new welder!

1. The Oxy regulator probably would work. The Oxygen is usually calibrated to pressure where the Argon/shield calibrated to flow rate. I'm not sure if there are flow rate differences between them, I suspect not due to Oxy cutting requriements.

2. Not that I know of, however you can get MIG wire that is flux core so that gas is not required.

3. Thats it. You need to keep the lead very straight and keep a lot of spare contact tips as you learn. Practice lots before hitting the boat too. Its a lot harder than steel MIG welding. If available you will be much better off with a handset that has an Al wire feed on it rather than at the main unit.

[Slunnie]

To weld steel u will need argoshield and to weld ali u will need argon i think. And one of the oxy or acetylene guages are reverse thread cant remember which one.
The Acet has the reverse thread - being flammable/toxic etc.

[eddy]

If you only going to be doing the odd welding job on steel,just get a roll of gasless wire.

[justfishing]

Hello,
Gasless wire is great remember that you have to have the gun on the negative and positive earth or it will only spatter .9 or 1.2 is good once welding turn your wire till is stops poping if burning back on tip then increase wire. Can give a couple of lessons if you are in WA. If you need gas it is from BOC quite expensive plus rental on bottle.
Ian

[jocky]

To weld steel u will need argoshield and to weld ali u will need argon i think. And one of the oxy or acetylene guages are reverse thread cant remember which one.

Oxygen has a right hand thread. ( turn to the right to tighten ).
Acetylene has left hand thread. ( turn to the left to tighten ).

[Bigbjorn]

Just a couple of questions regarding my new (2nd hand) transmig 195 I bought the other day.

1. It has no regulator but I do have a few old Oxy regs floating around could I use one of these instead of a dedicated Shielding gas reg?

2. I am not planning on using it allot just the odd job every now and then hence not wanting to fork out great expence. I have seen soda stream co2 bottles used in the past. Is it possible to get other gasses ie Argon in a similar size bottle without having to rent it and where do you get them from?

3. I would like to try aluminium welding (my old boat) I understand I will need a new teflon linner and U groved rollers as well as over sized tips running Argon. Has anyone had any joy or other tips with this set up?

Thanks in advance

I have had a Transmig 195 for over twenty years. They are getting on a bit but are a very good machine. Industrial quality, not a handyman or hobby machine. You will need a 15 amp power point. I weld light gauge aluminium using 1 mm wire in a 1.2 conduit and tip with argon. For steel I normally use .9 wire and conduit with argoshield. My BOC cylinder rents for $180 per annum. When I empty the current lot of gas I am going over to disposable cylinders. Given that I now use it very seldom, there will be savings made here, besides, like everyone, I resent paying the bottle rent.

[richard4u2]

those disposable bottles could you reuse them for compressed air ? say if you let your tyers down to do some work in the sand ?

[stealth]

I have welded mild steel with MIG for many years and have always wanted to try welding aluminium. I already have a bottle of argon from doing a stainless steel job and just need to get the allly wire and hand piece. Is the principle for welding ally the same as steel? Meaning, if I can weld steel competently, should welding ally be difficult?

[bee utey]

I have welded mild steel with MIG for many years and have always wanted to try welding aluminium. I already have a bottle of argon from doing a stainless steel job and just need to get the allly wire and hand piece. Is the principle for welding ally the same as steel? Meaning, if I can weld steel competently, should welding ally be difficult?

Sort of. Aluminium welding requires good hand speed, high amps, spotless welding prep and lots of practice. Not really good for thin ally as the melting point of your work piece is easily reached! Keep your wire brushes for ally cleaning totally separate from your steel work.

I spent a year in an ally fabricating workshop as a TA, at the end I was an OK welder of aluminium. TIG is much better for a newbie but still hard.