On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 03:32:33 +0100, monkeydave
m wrote:


Now I'm really confused.
I bought a cheap mig, sold as "Combo Mig-with gas or without" .
Wasn't surprized to find it didn't come with a gas bottle but it does
have a place for one and a hose. It actually works well with flux core
wire (included) so I thought if I bought a bottle It might work as well
with gas.
Welding supply store sold me a small bottle filled with argon and said
thats what I needed.Also bought a spool of wire for stainless and one
for aluminum.
The manual shows diagram to reverse cable connections to change to
non-flux core wire but no specs for connections or guages/pressure
etc.
Had an extra set of guages and fittings and guessed around 12 lbs for
pressure.
Gas comes on and off with trigger and sounds about the same as I
remembered but it's been 10 years at least since I used a mig.
Tried to weld thin stainless but with all the wire speed, heat, and
pressure combinations I tried, couldn't make a weld I would trust (or
want anyone to see)
A friend told me he didn't think you used argon but a mix of CO2 and
something.
Anyone out there have this info ?

Straight argon for SS. Mild steel works better with Ag/CO2 mix or
CO2. I'd say learn to use it well with mild steel before you try
SS. Thin SS may need backing gas on the other side.