welding gas

timtheenchanteruk said:

Surely the point of argon is it isnt an active gas? chemically speaking it reacts with naff all, being one of the noble gases, presuming with welderficating, it prevents reaction with O2, so make all the heat go into the metal, as apposed to CO2, where a very small amount will break down to Carbon and O2

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Int it to keep the oxygen away ?

It's a shielding gas to keep oxydising elements away from the weld.

I've gone for an Albee exchangeable 11 litre cylinder/regulator from Air Liquide, Philip has just gone down to Bedford to collect it.

£156.45 + VAT for the initial purchase and gas, refill £52.57 plus VAT.

There is a 13 litre cylinder too, but we'll try this one first and see how we get on.

Peter

timtheenchanteruk said:

Surely the point of argon is it isnt an active gas? chemically speaking it reacts with naff all, being one of the noble gases, presuming with welderficating, it prevents reaction with O2, so make all the heat go into the metal, as apposed to CO2, where a very small amount will break down to Carbon and O2

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Its how the arc behaves therefore stability and temperature hence you use pure argon when mig welding aluminium and tig welding anything exept for odd stuff that likes mixtures of helium.
When mig welding heavy steel mixtures with more argon are used for heat.
No actual chemical reaction doesnt mean its not active, it does more than a simple barrier gas by improving arc conditions

Our 'new' TIG welder arrived this morning, we've got it running OK, just playing with bits od 16g sheet steek to get the hang of it.

Interesting technique needed and it isn't as easy to pick up as you'd think, but I find it easier than Philip who hasn't done gas welding.

Found this on the web:

https://coestudentshop.engr.wisc.edu/training/docs/TIGBook.pdf

Peter

listerdiesel said:

Our 'new' TIG welder arrived this morning, we've got it running OK, just playing with bits od 16g sheet steek to get the hang of it.

Interesting technique needed and it isn't as easy to pick up as you'd think, but I find it easier than Philip who hasn't done gas welding.

Found this on the web:

https://coestudentshop.engr.wisc.edu/training/docs/TIGBook.pdf

Peter

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is it ac/dc

DC only as far as I know, Oerlikon TDC201.

5A-200A.

Peter

listerdiesel said:

DC only as far as I know, Oerlikon TDC201.

5A-200A.

Peter

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straight or reverse polarity

i think il stick with argon mix and keep the welds tidy

Thor1950 said:

straight or reverse polarity

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you tig on reverse polarity

oerlikon are good things, i had a oerlikon mig and it punched well above its weight and their welding rods are beautiful to use

i run a miller syncrowave ac dc tig which im trying not to sell at present!

Thor1950 said:

straight or reverse polarity

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Reverse for steel.

Peter

Our MIG welder is also an Oerlikon, 250A, nice bit of kit.

Peter

I couldn't be bothered with all the messing, I've had an account with Air Products for years and just rent a half size bottle, it even come's with a built in regulator so no need to worry about that either. From memory it's about 85% Argon, 15% CO2, no issues, just plug in and use, lasts ages and is what it was designed for. Bottle rental is about £80 a year but they have many rental options besides this.