spray welding

[Bert]

Everyone is mentioning Argon rich environment. Can spray welding be done with 100% Argon?

[wireburner]

I want to try this but ,the local welding supplies store is closed darn ! Like Bert said can you do it with 100% Argon?

[Bareback Jack]

Sorry it takes so long for me to reply, I'm rodeoing allot right now, and I'm gone for a couple weeks at a time.

Yes, 100% Argon is fine. Sheilding gas mixtures are used for a variety of reasons. One is that an expensive gas is mixed with a ceaper gas to lower the overall cost. Another is influence of the weld puddle and arc characteristics. Helium is often added to increase penetration, oxygen as a stabalizer, CO2 because it's cheap. There are advantages and trade offs with all of them. For example, 100% Argon gives a very attractive bead, but its not as cheap as CO2, but CO2 gives allot of splatter....

[ace4059]

I read through here briefly, so It may already have been covered and I missed it.

What Is the reccomended gas for a MM210 to spray arc in. 90Ar/10Co2, 93Ar/7CO2 or 98Ar/2O.
I read someone say that the BEST to spray in is the 98/2. but will the MM210 spray in the other two gasses as well? (I known other high amp welders will spray in all three, but does the mm210 have enough amps to spray in the 90/10?)

Is .030 reccomended or can I use .035?

What a good starting point for the settings (amps and wire speed).
I think that all my questions for now.
Thanks you,
Ryan

[Danny]

I read through here briefly, so It may already have been covered and I missed it.

What Is the reccomended gas for a MM210 to spray arc in. 90Ar/10Co2, 93Ar/7CO2 or 98Ar/2O.
I read someone say that the BEST to spray in is the 98/2. but will the MM210 spray in the other two gasses as well? (I known other high amp welders will spray in all three, but does the mm210 have enough amps to spray in the 90/10?)

Is .030 reccomended or can I use .035?

What a good starting point for the settings (amps and wire speed).
I think that all my questions for now.
Thanks you,
Ryan

To spray arc with the MM 210 stick with a 98/2oxy. The unit really doesn't have the top end voltage needed to spray arc well with 90/10 CO² or 92/8CO².

With 98/2 the 210 will spray arc an .030 or .035 solid wire. I prefer the .030 for its higher current density. Meaning at the same output power level , the .030 offers the potential to produce a deeper penetrating weld. On the 210 , the only advantage an .035 solid wire offers over an .030 in spray transfer mode is the ability to produce the weld bead quicker. For the recreational weldor, who doesn't weld everday , I personally don't look upon this as an advantage, because it gives you less time to read the weld puddle.

With 98/2 voltage tap #7 and the wire speed around 75- 80 with an .030 will get you started. The amount of wire speed need is going to depend on your input voltage. I'd start out at 80 and reduce if needed. With 98/2 there is also some spray arc range available with Tap #6 too. Sorry can't remember a wire speed range to get you started with on this tap though.

[Bert]

Bareback Jack,
THANKS DUDE! I'll try it this weekend !!!!

[ace4059]

just to let everyone know, I tried spray with 100% argon and it did NOT work. It would start ont in spray the after an inch or so it would go back to globular trans. There was lots of undercut and the weld bead was high and narrow. (I tried to weave the gun for tie in but it would go into glob trans when I did that) Anyways do you move the gun only in a straint line or shoul I weave it for tie in???
Also would the lincoln Pm215 (has 250 amps) be any different for the gas usage?

[Bert]

ace, I'm just wondering...did you try it with more power so that 1" of spray would last longer?
thanks for your testing and input! Let mem know what happens!!!
Oh, and what was your settings at?
bert