Harbor freight welder gas or no?

[WisdomRacer]

Ok I have a dual mig welder 151

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6271

and just wanted to know if I was going to weld say a cage would it be worth it to switch to gas instead of flux. So far I have heard both ways from professional welders. I have been practicing for a while without gas and I just cant seem to lay a good bead. Does anyone use this welder and can tell me if it is worth it to switch over to gas. Thanks for all the replies guys.

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[la2baja]

I have never used that welder but you definatelty want gas. The gas will increase the quality of your beads x10. I promise. A nice clean weld wwithout the popping and arcing is exactly what the gas will do for you.

[#1PatDeanFan]

Gas is always better than flux on this style of application. If you were working on heavy equipment you would use a flux, like welding 1/2" plate or thicker.

[WisdomRacer]

ok cool thanks very much for the help.

[randomracer]

i would switch to gas, has anyone used the HF welder are they any good? using flux core will burn hotter but not look as nice as gas.

[wrightracing.net]

Gas all the way. My first mig welder was a Lincoln 175 with flux and I thought I would never learn to weld clean pro welds. I then switched to a gas mig ditched the flux and overnight my welding improved Big time.

I now have a Miller 251 and now I feel safe enough to weld a cage my life and my passangers life may depend on.

I Still need to work on welding under a car and strange angles, like a butt joint with different thickness of metal. I just need to practice more.

The picture below was just a week later after I got my new Miller 251.

[johnnyweb]

gas for sure. the flux core is ok for race course repairs but stick to gas in them shop.

[WisdomRacer]

Ok thanks guys. What percent of argon to c02 do you use on mild steel. I have heard 25% c02 is the best for mild steel. That or just go all argon. Also does anyone know of a good place to get gas in Orange county area. (ya ya who's gonna be the first one to make this into a joke And has anyone tried this regulator.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47259

How important is it to have a good regulator. I would not think it is to important but could be wrong. Thanks again for all the info

[randomracer]

dont go all argon, it will weld but not as clean, get a 25% 75% mix. as far as a regulator, im not sure what a decent one runs for anymore. thats your preference . i would spend the money and buy a good one. you will always be able to use it on other things IMO.

[151fab]

www.airgas.com
The site has a store locator; they're everywhere (including a couple shops in OC), good hours. I've never bought gas from them though.

www.simswelding.com
You need set up an account (they only exchange their own tanks) but they deliver the quickest.

www.fivestargas.com
Just started using the Riverside location and no comlaints. Not in OC though.