How to Setting MIG Welding Gas Pressure
MIG welding is easier to do, but the gas pressure and flow are essential factors that affect the welding process. You should know about both MIG welding gas pressure and TIG welding gas pressure.
You can watch the proper gas flow and pressure flow chart; remember, you should count it in CFH ( Cubic feet per hour) rather than PSI. You may call them shielding gases because they cover the metal surface from oxidization.
Moreover, you should know the gas settings, gas types, regulator pressure, and other primary things about welding gas. Let’s get started with learning about gas settings before starting to weld.
Table of Contents
Different Welding Gases for MIG Welding
It will help if you have various gases for welding, but make sure your gas is pure, and free from other gases, or dust. Let’s see the types of welding gases:
- Argon
- Carbon dioxide
- Helium
- Oxygen
- Propane
- Acetylene
- Nitrogen
You will see Argon, Carbon dioxide, Helium, and Nitrogen usage the most in MIG welding.
Carbon dioxide
It’s the right choice for MIG welding because it’s cheap and pure; moreover, you can use it welding any metal. You can use it for deeper welding penetration, or mix it with other gases while welding.
However, you can use (5-25)% of carbon dioxide and (75-95)% of Argon gas for correct arc and spatter. Now, you can assume the CO2 gas consumption in MIG welding.
Argon Gas
Argon gas is widely famous among welders as a shielding gas; it protects the welding surface from too high temperatures ( about 5000°C).
Control its pressure while using it; otherwise, it will react with Nitrogen, Helium, or other surrounded metals/gases. As a result, it will ruin your welding surface or melted metal above.
For instance, the Argon pressure for MIG welding aluminum should be (20-30) CFH; you will get your desired result in this gas pressure.
Helium
Helium is another neutral gas welders use; it acts like an inert or semi-inert protective gas. Welders use it on highly reactive metals and to transfer high heat. You can use it for both MIG and TIG welding at low pressure.
How to Set Gas on MIG Welder
Do you want to be the best MIG welder and need your work to be flawless? Know setting any gas on your welder; follow these steps.
- First, set your shielding gas bottle in the MIG welder’s holder and secure it. Next, you will hook the chain around the bottle.
- Check the gas regulator hoses; check if there is a defect or not. If you find any fault, change the regulator parts.
- You will find a valve handle on the top of a shielding gas bottle; keep opening and closing the valve. Thus, the dirt on the valve will move away, and there will be no contaminant.
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Insert the gas regulator’s nipples through the gas bottle’s valve area. Turn the nut clockwise until it locks tightly.
- Check everywhere if the gas is leaking or not; gas leakage before welding is not suitable.
- Turn on your MIG welder and trigger the gun; set the pressure as directed. Keep the gas flow between 25-30 CFH.
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Adjust the gas pressure and cut the extra wire from your MIG gun tip that came out while triggering.
How Much Should the MIG Welding Gas Regulator Pressure
If we talk about the acetylene gas tank, the gas regulator pressure should be 10 PSI/ (20-25) CFH. The gas regulator has three parts to control the gas flow from the cylinder.
If you take an Argon gas tank, set the gas regulator pressure at ( 25-30) CFH rate and ensure the tank is on 2600 PSI pressure at the initial stage.
The MIG gas welder usually works on lower pressure than other oxy-fuel welding. Set the necessary welding flow and place the gun on the right welding side; otherwise, it will cause bubbles.
Some Best MIG Gas Welder
- Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder.
- Millermatic 211 MIG Welder.
- Lincoln Electric Pro MIG Welder.
- Everlast Powermig 200 MIG Welder.
- Forney Easy Weld.
Read More: Hobart Handler 210 MVP MIG Welder Review
The Lincoln MIG welder gas settings are the easiest; that’s why this manufacturing brand is quite famous.
After you’ve set the voltage and wire feed speed, set the gas and gas flow. Mix two gases if necessary, and set the gas rate; it may be in Cubic Feet per Minute or Liter per minute. Create a hotter arc and set the gas flow.
Trial several times to check if the gas flow is correct or not; your target should be to protect more weld surfaces from the air.
MIG Welding Gas Prices
The MIG gas price depends on the gas cylinder’s size; you will get welding gases in small, medium, or large-size cylinders.
Here’s a welding gases chart with their price range:
Nr.Crt |
MIG Welding Gas |
Price Range |
---|---|---|
1 | Carbon dioxide ( Low Price) | 12-13 US $ |
2 | Argon Arc Welding Gas ( Low Price) | 10-20 US $ |
3 | Argon Welding Gas ( Large size) | 150-190 US $ |
4 | High-Pressure Acetylene Gas | 100-400 US $ |
5 | Oxygen Gas ( 50L) | 65-99 US $ |
6 | 75% Argon and 25% Carbon dioxide gas mixture | 220-250 US $ |
7 | Oxyacetylene gas bundle | 200-204 £ |
8 | Pure Oxygen Cylinder (small size) | 30-40 £ |
The chart above shows that you can get various gas cylinders at different prices; if you have a low budget, you can go for either CO2 or Argon.
Final Verdict
Now, you will be more comfortable in MIG welding after you’ve learned about the MIG welding gas pressure. You can choose the essential gas and the necessary quantity according to your budget.
Moreover, you can set the gas welder and regulator; you can find fault if there’s any. Each of them is important for you as a welder. Knowing the primary things about welding gases will make you a better welder.
However, welding is a more vast sector than it seems to be; search for more knowledge about welding you don’t have.