Thoughts on argon for steel?

[Scott Hightower]

If you weld mild steel with straight argon the weld may look OK but its not.

I use straight Argon for aluminum.
85/15 mix for thin gauge
75/25 for large wire heavy gauge
If you want to cheat a little use 80/20 for all mild steel

Scott
Fab Manager
Welders360

[Gadget]

Hi Scott and welcome to the forum. When you have a chance, please post something about yourself in the introduce yourself section so we can get to know you. We like pictures here so be sure to include some showing your work. Also, keep an eye out for the next contest here. The odds of winning a great new Longevity machine are very good.
Again, welcome,
Dan

[JoshF]

Wow I forgot I asked this here. Long story short I tried it. It was possible to get good welds but it was a pita. So i picked up a mix tank. IA year later I still havent tried the spool gun and aluminum yet.

[jakazz]

Your gonna love al in the spool gun, just watch the burn back on the tips, your gonna burn the tips a few time....they will be junk... and the wire will clog in the gun. Once you get past that initial PITA a couple few times you will really pay more attention to the stick out. Ask me how I know haha

[Lonewolf9029]

I like to run tri-mix when running my MIG gun on SS. C02,Argon,&Helium. It's pricey at $80 a refill. For TIG I use strait Argon on SS and aluminum. I like to lease my bottles rather than own them (just personal choice). That way I can just get them to throw them in the truck. They only charge me a deposit on one cylinder; the others just contents. Make friends and get to know the people a welding supply houses. It can sure have it's benefits. Don

[tigqk]

No you can not use straight argon because you will not get the penetration you need with the mig,if you got the amps though you can try spray transfer with your argon that is what argon is used on steel for.C25 or/75/25 is about the best no way around it your going to have another tank, flux coat is messy, your going to have five or six in your shop if you have oa.You can use c02 but it isn;t the best but will last a long time.