gas or gasless?

[sprayerDrew]

hi im just geting bits and pices together to set my welder up but as i am going to be learning in my back garden will gas or gasless be best ? and does anyone know if the cebora pocket 130 does gasless welding?

 

[Wozzaaah]

That machine is gas only, you can't reverse the polarity for use with gasless wire.

 

[the snooper]

go for gas its cheaper in the long run

 

[sprayerDrew]

That machine is gas only, you can't reverse the polarity for use with gasless wire.

thanks ! only the old user was using gasless wire ???
Anyway what size wire is best for general odd jobs? and will i find it difficult to weld outside with gas as only i see other people doing it!
Would i be right saying co2/argon mix is best? and what regulator do i need? sorry be a pain?

 

[Wozzaaah]

I'm not saying it won't work, just that the machine is DCEP (torch positive) which is correct for solid wire and shielding gas.
Gasless wire requires the polarity to be reversed to DCEN which on a dual-purpose machine is a simple cable swapping process.
I'd recommend 0.8mm wire and argon/co2 mix gas for general purpose use.
If using outdoors, set up windbreaks to minimise the chances of the shielding gas being blown away.

 

[sprayerDrew]

gas

how long will a normal hobby gas bottle last ?

 

[madkayaker]

about 10min on a decent flow rate

 

[sprayerDrew]

OH RITE so whats the best to get if am messing around learning?

 

[Wozzaaah]

The best option is a non-rental cylinder, look in the shielding gas section at my suppliers list 'sticky' thread, see if there's anyone near you.
Failing that, a pub type CO2 cylinder will get you started, it doesn't give the nicest welds but is very cheap. Refills are only around £13 I believe.
Lots of forum members only ever use pure CO2 and get on fine with it.

 

[sprayerDrew]

HI im in stoke on trent and found this !

Here's one in Stoke-on-Trent for pub type CO2 bottles (no rental).
I paid £33 for the bottle,that's £20 deposit and £13 for the gas,then just £13 to swap the empty bottle for a professionally filled full one.
http://www.davidsmithson.co.uk/aboutus.htm


Thankyou for your help but what is the difference with co2 alone?
basically as im learning a need the best welds possible haha

 

[Wozzaaah]

Here ya go

 

[GTD]

Just picked up a used Snapon 130 turbo, had a look inside surely reversing the polarity for flux cored MOG welding just swap the torch and earth clamp lead connections over, was thinking of adding a pair of dinze sockets to the front panel of mine to do this.