New MIG 160 on the way

[samsberr]

Just wondering what ya all use for gas with your 160 of 205 MIGS...
Will straight argon work?
I'd sure like to share one tank with my TIG...
I don't weld any structural stuff mainly just small hobby projects...
Mostly mild steel and sheet stock that comes off the plasma table.
Thanks gents...

[tigqk]

No can't be done, straight argon will give you penetration problems, straight argon is for spray transfer, alot of people use co2 but I find their is to much splatter,you will not be happy with co2, but will last a long time,C25 is what is used most often, argon co2 75/25 at about 10-12cf/hr and a 130cf tank or higher.
If mig is new to you you may wish to get a manual on mig transfer processes, I have one old one from Linde it isn't published anymore but a first rate book.Your electrode is your heat source and it is pretty small so you may also want to have a look at weldment fitups and connection types beause it particularly is important here for a good weld and economical use of your filler metal and leverage in a strong weld.I study this alot because I learned to weld sheet first at school, and how to control warpage.
Good Luck post some pics of the unit and your welds when you get it all together.

[samsberr]

What about flux core wire...with this machine...
20 years I use to burn 15 to 20 lbs. of wire a day...
We used a mix but I don't know what it was.
We built trailer chassis...
Maybe I'll try the flux core...until in can wrangle a tank.

[WookieWelding]

For SMAW
C25 75/25 argon cO2 for steels
stainless it would be Tri-mix Argon cO2 Helium but you can also use the c25 on this for single pass I run the tri mix on all stainless
Alum is straight argon or a argon helium mix

---------- Post added at 04:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:49 AM ----------

What about flux core wire...with this machine...
20 years I use to burn 15 to 20 lbs. of wire a day...
We used a mix but I don't know what it was.
We built trailer chassis...
Maybe I'll try the flux core...until in can wrangle a tank.

Does that machine come with a Knurled feed roller to run flux core ?

[samsberr]

Does that machine come with a Knurled feed roller to run flux core ?

I'm not sure...
But I do have a tank lined up...
Thanks guys...

[tigqk]

Should be able to download your owners manual for this machine and get to know its features before you get it.What will be your primary welding use on?
Another mix you may wish to try is 90/10, the co2 causes better penetration and wetting of your electrode, but as you increase co2 the finished weld looks rougher because the arc is violent, and has an effect on the slope.If you intend on welding alot of thick metal go with more co2, even 50/50, but for sheetmetal your co2 should be lower than 25% otherwise it is to hard to weld, well you already know you are not going to be doing spray and globular transfer because of your amperage limitation.