Tach Cloyce,
MH>> On , Cloyce Osborn wrote to Bruce LeGrande :
MH>> How hard is it to learn this wire welding? What are the
MH>> differences in the MIG, TIG, etc, and which ones can be
MH>> used with and without adding a gas? What are the
MH>> differences in the Argon or the carbon dioxide and
let me put in a word or two here.
1.  stick welding is used, where no gas can be used.
wire welding or as we call it here mig-welding needs gas to prevent the  
material from oxidation during the actual welding process.
as different types of gas there are
argon
corgon  (argon co2 mix)
co2 dry
co2
just to name the standard types.
argon in a pure form ist used for alloy welding.
corgon is used for the normal workshop type welders to weld bodywork,  
sheet metal, thin plates or minor steel construction.
co2 dry is used in major steel construction, on strong material and  
outdoor projects.
co2 you will need for drawing beer. :-)  no joke.
over here the prices are as follows:
same bottlesize each:
co2     20-30 dm
co2 dry 50 dm
corgon  100 dm
argon   min 200 dm
on outoor projects the gas pressure has to be higher (to prevent it from  
blown away by wind), therefore the ammount of gas needed is greater.
for this reason cheaper gas ist used.
on bodywork it is not only important to prevent the material from oxiding,  
but also prevent it from bruning away that easy. therefore the mixture  
argon an co2 dry is used. this is more expensive, but usefull when the  
material is thin or dirty.
normal co2 that is used for drawing beer can be used for welding, if  
nothing esle is availiable.
but the welder starts spitting and the work is fairley tricky and needs a  
bit of skill.
so for major steel construction co2 dry is availaible, wich is co2  
especially reduced in moisture ( less than 3% i think ).
car bodywork with co2 dry is possible but needs skill and a very accurate  
adjustment of current to material strength..
ordinary workshop jobs are normaly done with corgon. allmost everything  
can be done with this type of gas, but it is a bit more expensive than the  
co2 type.
in my workshop i use a migwelder with 170 A and corgon gas for all kinds  
of metal welding ( no alloy :-( )
MH>> What is your opinion on the 115 volt wire welders
MH>> which sell for about $500? Are they any good, or would I
MH>> need a 220 volt model
oh oh... over here these kinds of machines are sold in supermarkets.
its no fun !
to do car bodywork 150 A are minimum!
for alloy there is a minimum of 200 A.
it is not only the max. current but also the max. time of usage.
these supermarket machines have often switchedon-time rates of 30%. that  
means that the actual welding time may only be 30% of the total time.
that is good for spot welding but no good for longer jobs like steelwork.
my welder is an 180 A 60% by 400 V what is the normal workshop equipment.
i can use it even for steelwork and construction work.
real welders wich run all day work often with 400 A, 80%, 400V and an  
extra fan for cooling the machine.
CO>I'm not real impressed with the 115V units.  If you can
CO>(financially), go ahead and spring for the 220V type.  Play
i don't know the prices over there but a good welder in germany costs  
about 1600 DM.
everything else is shit.
at least here.
MH>> Your comments or ideas are welcome.
i hope, that i could bring in some usefull information even not from  
america ;-)
bit bald
Matthias
Telebim 05042 989020,  Fax 989023,   BBS 989024
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