Welding gas

MR. GADGET

MR. GADGET

New Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2005
Location
Raleigh NC
How long will a 40cf tank of 75/25 last for welding on a lincoln mig 15 say welding 3/16 at 120-130 amps? Just want to get close and tell if I want to get a larger or second tank next time.
Jon
 
depends on your welding style, ie fast/slow wire speed, fast/slow welding and the need for the gas. IMO, get a bigger tank. You always run out when you need it the most.
 
The other thing is that you kind of get screwed on the exchange/refill of the 40 vs the bigger stuff. Our 150s cost me less to refill than the 80 a buddy of mine has on my account......some sort of "standardized fee schedule" versus a volume fee or some BS they use to screw the guys getting the smaller tanks filled.

Like Jon said, you always run out when you least expect it so make sure you keep a good eye on how much gas you are using so you don't get screwed on a sat or sun without it......

Andy
 
I bought special tanks. They never ever run out M-F, only on Saturday or Sunday! I finally got a second tank for welding, I have yet to use a whole tank in one weekend.
Not sure if you followed my thread on my re re rebuild up of My Heep. I started with a tank I had already been using, and almost got it all done except for a few welds before I was finished. Quite a lot of welding!
 
I went with the 80cf. It is the largest I can refill on the weekends. You also double the gas for just an extra couple bucks. I burn through more when I am tacking stuff or doing sheetmetal then on the heavy steel. Typically a tank a 10lb spool.
 
Down&Dirty said:
I went with the 80cf. It is the largest I can refill on the weekends. You also double the gas for just an extra couple bucks. I burn through more when I am tacking stuff or doing sheetmetal then on the heavy steel. Typically a tank a 10lb spool.
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Thinks That is what I wanted to know.
I have 3 welders I use and this one will be for tacking and jig stuff up.
I use the stick for most of my heavy stuff, just feel I get a better and stronger weld with stick.
The Lincoln mig 15 ( I said 10 at first "wrong") on the chart with 030 wire can onlY go 10ga steel and don't feel like I get a good weld with it on 3/16"-1/4".
I want to go to 035 but they say you cant in the paperwork.
What wire you welding with what size steel?

Jon
 
I always run 020 wire, I weld a lot of thin stuff, but I have found that it welds better on everything, Invest in the biggest residential bottle you can get, like a 150 or 160, save that small bottle for emergencies.
 
maverick said:
I always run 020 wire, I weld a lot of thin stuff, but I have found that it welds better on everything,
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I hope you dont weld anything structural or cages with that, cause that wire is too small. And im guessing you have a smaller unit to feed that wire.


The last chassis I built was welded with 045 wire :smokin:
 
I run the .024 when doing sheetmetal and .035 for everything else. I would love a bigger bottle, but I am already running out of space. plus the 80 is the biggest I can fill on the weekends.
 
Wire speed is the key, i've welded on everything from tractors to frames an trailers never had a failure, I run a Iron man 210. Practice x practice, I have an old man for a pal, he can weld with coat hangers better than most can with high dollar equipment, knowledge of welding comes from years of technique an knowing how different structures will act when welded. Size of wire matters not, case in point a fillet weld takes several passes, instead of being globbed on like bird shit, you can weld anything with a 1/8" rod that can be welded with a 3/16" rod, time is the issue, I like the versatillity of the smaller wire, from thin sheet metal to 1/4" without changing wire. If I have to make a couple of passes it does not bother me. If you want to see a weak weld try pushing 035 wire through a 110v machine, that shows lack of knowledge in welding with penetration an a bad temp. It does not matter what the manual that comes with it says, these machines can not drive that kind of heat range. If you don't beleive me weld up a couple of 3/16" plates an grind out your weld a little at a time an stress it, you will find your weld I promise you.
 
i always keep a small roll of flux core in case I run out of gas. At least you can keep tacking stuff together and finish it up later...
 
maverick said:
Wire speed is the key, i've welded on everything from tractors to frames an trailers never had a failure, I run a Iron man 210. Practice x practice, I have an old man for a pal, he can weld with coat hangers better than most can with high dollar equipment, knowledge of welding comes from years of technique an knowing how different structures will act when welded. Size of wire matters not, case in point a fillet weld takes several passes, instead of being globbed on like bird shit, you can weld anything with a 1/8" rod that can be welded with a 3/16" rod, time is the issue, I like the versatillity of the smaller wire, from thin sheet metal to 1/4" without changing wire. If I have to make a couple of passes it does not bother me. If you want to see a weak weld try pushing 035 wire through a 110v machine, that shows lack of knowledge in welding with penetration an a bad temp. It does not matter what the manual that comes with it says, these machines can not drive that kind of heat range. If you don't beleive me weld up a couple of 3/16" plates an grind out your weld a little at a time an stress it, you will find your weld I promise you.
Click to expand...


The Mig 15 that I was talking about is a 220 welder.
The maker of the welder said it is OK to run .020 to .045 in it so I think if they make it then they know what range and wire it will run with.
I have been using .025 and just thought about going .035 on it because some people talk about it being better for the range of steel I weld.
I know some welders that do stuff for the state, feds, and stuff over seas and they say wire is not Ok to use, and want it TIG or Stick welded.
The question was how much gas per 2 lb or 10 lb wire.
I think [/QUOTE]" Down&Dirty" I went with the 80cf. It is the largest I can refill on the weekends. You also double the gas for just an extra couple bucks. I burn through more when I am tacking stuff or doing sheetmetal then on the heavy steel. Typically a tank a 10lb spool. .[/QUOTE]

He May have covered it.

Having 3 welders 3 tanks and friends with welders and tanks I don't care if I run out, I just want to get the Mig 15 set up with the best wire for up to 1/4" steel and know how long a 40 CF tank would last me. I know I spend the same or more to fill a small tank then a big tank but If I go get a 80 CF or larger it will cost $100-$200 and at $30 a fill now that $200 will give me more then 6 fills on this tank. That should last me a long time.
Jon
 
yager said:
i always keep a small roll of flux core in case I run out of gas. At least you can keep tacking stuff together and finish it up later...
Click to expand...


Got 2 of them thanks for the info, Thats something good to remember.

Jon
 
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