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View Full Version : Shielding gas Q for tig.....

CJeep77
05-03-2005, 04:40 PM
Just got my new (used) tig wired in and running! (Lincoln square wave 355) My question is who has used argon/helium mix as opposed to the norm of straight argon? Is their really a difference that would make me need a bottle of both?
HaWiiLuVeR
05-03-2005, 04:54 PM
if im remembering correctly, helium would just have a hotter burning weld. i havent tried it yet surprisingly. my parent rent helium tanks from their party store. :)
nmscout
05-04-2005, 01:23 AM
With 355 amps you will never need Helium unless you are running DC- aluminum. Just run straight argon for mild steel, stainless, and aluminum.
DavidVanVorous
05-04-2005, 10:24 AM
Just got my new (used) tig wired in and running! (Lincoln square wave 355) My question is who has used argon/helium mix as opposed to the norm of straight argon? Is their really a difference that would make me need a bottle of both?

I've only had to use helium 2x in 30yrs. 1x for doing 3/4" thick silver (unnecessary operation speced by an new engineer) and 1x when doing 1/4" copper. IMO, with the ability to vary arc balance that most new welders have helium is almost a dinosaur approach used only for real heavy highly conductive materials...

D.