Inductance adjustment for MIG

[dennislbrooks]

I weld, not a professional welder but have been welding for a good while MIG, TIG, and stick. I bought another welder that has an Inductance adjustment for MIG. Did some reading and most (hobby- lower cost) welders have this preset with no adjustment. May be kind of a neat feature to adjust penetration.

Anyone have any experience with this feature?

I read also where it enhanced the use of 100% CO2 shielding for migging low carbon steel. My new welder indicates that 100% CO2 can be used with it.

Anyone use 100% CO2 at home?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Sounds like a neat feature for welding body panels to me.

I have read a few things on it, and I understand it less now. Somehow 🤔

[kwmech]

I started out about 40 years ago using 100% CO2 and one time tried the 50/50 mix of Ar/CO2........been with it ever since. Now that the prices are getting stupid I may go back. I don't weld anything seriously structural with the MIG. Anything structural I'll step back to Big Red and a box of sticks

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by kwmech

I started out about 40 years ago using 100% CO2 and one time tried the 50/50 mix of Ar/CO2........been with it ever since. Now that the prices are getting stupid I may go back. I don't weld anything seriously structural with the MIG. Anything structural I'll step back to Big Red and a box of sticks

I got a CO2 set up for my mig for cost, and besides a little extra splatter. It works for what I do with my Hobart 220 MVP.

At that time I did hvac service so I had practically unlimited C02 access.

[dennislbrooks]

I asked my supplier and he has no customers that use 100% CO2. (out in the country and a small supplier) I will ask him if he can supply me a 20lb for testing sometime. As I understand the inductance adjustment is turned down for just co2.

I tried 100% argon and do not like it for mig steel. They gave me a 100% helium by mistake once and I thot I forgot everything I knew about welding MIG mild steel. I can use the 100% argon for aluminum and stainless TIG.

My new welder is a Lift TIG. I have not tried it yet.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

My Hobart has no issues with CO2 vs my other Hobart with standard mig gas. Other then a bit more splatter.

You will need a regulator for CO2, but they are less then a $100.

The good news is a typical bottle last almost twice as long and cost about 1/3 as much.

[dennislbrooks]

https://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com...lding-co2.html

I have heard both ways on better and worse on thin panels. Will try -- I think OK for thin also.

Z, KW --- I made the leap. I now have a 20 lb tank that measures like propane as the tank has an amount of liquid CO2 in it. For welding it feeds gas to the regulator. As I understand the regulator pressure gauge will read about 700 until the liquid is near gone then it drops kinda suddenly. It is not like argon mix which is all gas in the tank. Weighing it would be a better gauge if you want.

A 20 lb size steel Full Co2 tank weighs around 51 lbs and about 31 empty. Aluminum tanks are like 45/25. I got a 320 to 580 adapter to use an argon gauge - $19 on Amazon. Flow settings are about the same.

I was welding with .030 on 18 and 20 gauge sheet metal. I usually use .023 - .025 but tried the .030 first. Once you find your setting, welds fine and spatter did not seem much more than the mix. I am still playing with the inductance setting.

Correct anything above that is wrong.

[Jrainman]

Nice set up , but since you have that 100% Argon bottle , why don't you try out a small roll of silicon bronze wire on that 18-20 gauge, you might be surprised how well it performs and the results you get...

[dennislbrooks]

Ok, from what I am reading on it, it appears to be a brazing type process??? I have found 030 but am looking for 023. Can you butt weld with it or does it have to be lap?? thanks

Looks about double cost of carbon steel.

https://www.millerwelds.com/resource...brazing-basics

[Jrainman]

Originally Posted by dennislbrooks

Ok, from what I am reading on it, it appears to be a brazing type process??? I have found 030 but am looking for 023. Can you butt weld with it or does it have to be lap?? thanks

Looks about double cost of carbon steel.

https://www.millerwelds.com/resource...brazing-basics

Yes brazing , melts at about 1800 f , so right there you will not burn off galvo or or zinc leaving your panel exposed for future rusting also the bronze bead will not rust needing a primer coat rite away, also you will not have to worry about warping panels this is one of the reasons GM recommends using silicon bronze when doing panel repair, also many other car manufactures also recommend using silicone Bronze , Blue demon has 0.23 , also you will want to use a u shape roller ,but I have used v type roller wheels with no issues , because of the softer wire , you can butt weld ,basically you can weld just as using steel wire , I find though pushing the wire gets me a more fluid puddle to work with, yes it it expensive ,and also you need to use 100 % argon , just the time you save in labor because of the thing I listed compared to using steel wire , imagine not having to be so concerned with heat warpage you can run a continues beads , not skip around waiting for things to cool down and also it grinds smooth and is 5x faster then grinding steel wire beads , Having on hand after you invest in silicone bronze set up , you can use it for other metals such as stainless to steel or copper ,it just a nice extra you get when using silicon bronze.