MIG welding question

[spunkymonkey]

I'm starting to work out what treats to get myself next month and near the top of the list is welding kit.

My first choice would be oxy acetylene for its versatility but there's no way I can justify a bottle hire contract for the use it'll get.

I'm happy enough with manual arc to weld car panels - even 1980s Renault ones which are made of tinfoil - but MIG would be more convenient and quicker.

I've used "proper" MIG" before and got on OK with it but, again, there's the question of bottle hire unless I use the silly-price disposables. Also, it'll be used outside at the mercy of the winds.

"No gas" using flux cored wire is meant to be better in those conditions, but I've never tried it before. Some forums seem to have people complaining that it blows holes too easily but I figure if I can stick weld a Renault....

So, question time - has anyone used gasless MIG before and how did they find it?

[stefan]

I use Gasless mig wire in MIG welder on everything and have not had a problem with it.

[daf44]

hi joe

i found the gasless mig wire MORE expensive than hiring gas bottles.

I acquired a large bottle of argon from a friend working in a garage and my local MOT centre will swap it for a full bottle for £25 when it eventually runs out. it has lasted 5 years so far and has seen quite a lot of use. do you know anyone who could get you a "spare" bottle.

Another possibility is to use CO2.
bottles are easy enough to get. have a word with a friendly pub landlord. they may lend you a bottle, and could get it exchanged for refill with their own bottles for a few quid.
another source for bottles is a scrap metal dealer/yard. The yards are not allowed to dispose of these bottles and will normally give them to you toget them out of the yard. I have had quite a few this way. you can then get them refilled at any brewery supplies or a friendly pub for about £9. Even working outside with the gas flow turned up to allow for wind, these bottles last quite a long time.

CO2 is not quite as good as argon but i find it FAR better than the flux cored, gasless mig systems, and a fraction of the price.
the bottles are also far more manageable then argon bottles.

you can also buy regulators for argon/CO2 bottles for under £20.

DO NOT use the little disposable bottles. they are stupidly expensive and last less than 2 hours.

if you ask about i am sure you will find a bottle or two floating about that you will not have to pay rental charges on.

A mig welder will pay for itself quite quickly and is well worth getting.
I have had my own mig welder for over 10 years now and have never paid rental on gas bottles (CO2 or Argon). Once you find one bottle you just keep exchanging it for another when it is empty.

good luck.

paul44

[spunkymonkey]

Thanks - looks like the majority are against no-gas. Leaves a choice of battling the winds (and they do get nasty round here!) with gas or sticking with stick (so to speak). Between them it's really down to costs and the wind factor.

And the fact that people look at you like you're nuts when you suggest arc welding cars nowadays!!!