Tig Gas 101, What is the best gas to use?

[Arcamm]

What are the basic uses of gas mixes in tig welding. What is pure argon used for and what is argon and co2 used for? Which one would be the best for the most tig welding scenarios? If you could only have one gas bottle, which mix would give you the most bang for the buck?

[KHK]

Pure argon is the best for all around TIG welding. Argon, Co2 mix is normally used for MIG welding.

[Gadget]

When welding aluminum it is sometimes helpful to have argon/ helium mix but pure argon will work for almost all TIG work. As Keith said argon co2 mix is for MIG welding. If you are looking for tanks buy about two sizes bigger than you think you will ever need. That way you might go a little longer before wishing you had bought a larger tank.

[Arcamm]

Pure argon it is! I don't have a MIG machine (yet). There is a Tractor Supply store a mile from my house and I can get gas bottles there (filled rentals) in different sizes. I'll be able to experiment with different sizes before I buy one. Good advice on the "one size bigger than you need". Thanks

[Fastest1]

He said go up 2 sizes not 1

Pure argon it is! I don't have a MIG machine (yet). There is a Tractor Supply store a mile from my house and I can get gas bottles there (filled rentals) in different sizes. I'll be able to experiment with different sizes before I buy one. Good advice on the "one size bigger than you need". Thanks

[gilly]

I like the 330 tanks,but man are they heavy.

[SICFabrications]

I like the 330 tanks,but man are they heavy.

even for a young fella like myself..... yup, they heavy.

[LONGEVITY-Support]

Pure argon it is! I don't have a MIG machine (yet). There is a Tractor Supply store a mile from my house and I can get gas bottles there (filled rentals) in different sizes. I'll be able to experiment with different sizes before I buy one. Good advice on the "one size bigger than you need". Thanks

I also say use pure argon for your best results,

Good Day

[oneeyedmac]

I went to the local welding supply store Friday (local for me is 20 miles) and asked which gas to buy for Tig. I'm an absolute novice and just pciked up a TigWeld 200 from Longevity for a great price. The fellow at the counter was fairly adamant that I wanted Argon/CO2 so that's what I picked up. I tried to look up which gas I wanted on here via my phone but I couldn't get service and the internet at my house was down on Friday.

So I have a big bottle of Argon/CO2 not pure Argon. Is this useable for TIG or should I go back and exchange it. If I can't exchange it should I just go ahead and pay for a pure Argon bottle?

I HATE being new at something and not know what I'm doing. I keep telling myself that this old dog can learn a new trick. I haven't even turned the machine on yet and I'm making mistakes.

[tigqk]

Local for me is 50 miles it use to be 100.Looks like you are going to have to take that back, and lay some blame on the guy at the counter, try and stay ahead on this stuff and start reading some text books on practice, a good one is Welding; Principles and Practice because when you go to buy filler next they are going to ask you what alloys you want, of aluminum and mild steel.What diameter and what type of tungsten you also wish to use.Get it all in one place, also some 6013 and 7018 x 1/8 is a good start for Smaw.
Argon is the most economical sheilding gas, and helium either alone or with argon is next, but argon alone is what is ok.You want also 3/32 tungsten either ceriated or lanthanated or even thoriated, orange blue, red.
Good Luck if you have any more questions post, you have a fine machine.