I've never welded before, so i may ask some stupid questions... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

i've read a tutorial about mig welding Here
How different is it to use an argon welder? My Pa just found a great deal on one and bought it, and it would be sweet to get some background and techniques on how to gas weld before i jump right in. Obviously reading a tutorial isn't going to make me a pro <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />, but it would be nice to get the concept...

does anyone know of a good gas welding tutorial? i've searched google, yahoo!, and more with no luck...
thanks!
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Never welded with 100% Argon, but I weld steel all the time. 100% argon is used for welding aluminum. You use a 25% argon 75% CO2 mix for welding steel. All I can say is go get a truck load of scrap sheet metal from you local sheet metal shop, or any place that usese it. And weld it all into one big sheet. The shops will be happy to give it to you, and it is the best way to get better. You practice different thickness, angles, stright lines, curved lines. You do it all. And when you done you can cut it up and try again, or take it to the dump. The person on here to talk to is Crashyota, he'll tell you all u need to know.

Second that, the best thing to do is weld scraps. There's only so much you can learn from reading for some things. For me personally reading about gas welding or being told about it was much different from getting to do it yourself.

I've got scraps on the side of my house Aaron, next time your in town and have some time, just let me know. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I'd be more than willing to play around with the mig....or that argon your pa picked up <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

On a side note, Chris' grandpa's shop got rekeyed, so he doesn't have access to it untill he talks to/get's another one from him. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

i always weld with 100% argon. TIG baby!!!!

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that just sucks..

Argon and helium both can be used to weld a range of metals from mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium. Argon has better arc stability then helium, in otherwords the electrons flow smoother through the argon gas creating a stable arc. Argon also is better for starting an arc. Most smaller welders use argon c02 for cost because argon is expensive. The welding shop i work in uses all argon. Helium is more expensive but forms a hotter arc and alows increased weld speeds and better penitration. pure argon welding for mig or tig is the best. Additives like co2 is just for pricing but they do conaminate the weld.

Oh as to your question how is it differnt. The pure gas is just cleaner. Means less spray and less slag all over work piece and down ur sleeves and boots. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Also as for mig welding a monkey can learn how to do it the hard part is learning how to tune your machine to get the desigered bead contour. Practice practice practice thats the only way to learn. When ur striking an arc look at the outside edges of your weld puddle and walk the puddle side to side while progressing down the weld area. Get a bucket of water and just dunk ur piece in it after uv laid a bead to cool it off. dont weld on hot metal it messes with ur next bead. Cool it off and start again. Make sure u grind the weld zone down to shiny metal to get a good clean weld.

Pretty soon u can get welds like this