Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

Just been trying one of these and I'd say that the result is as good as my old bottle fed Maypole 120.

Also had the bill for the bottle rental from BOC and I am wondering whether this is worth it!

My question is whether I can use gasless (flux cored) wire with my old MIG and just return the bottle to BOC.

I know that the gasless wire is thicker but I guess that's just a matter of buying a new tip - only a matter of .2mm.

The MIG is a useful tool that's saved me a fortune but I use it only infrequently these days, not having to store the bottle in the workshop would be an added bonus.

michael1703 · Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 349 Location: suffolk

tip,possibly liner and maybe knurled drive feed wheels

victor 101 · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 446 Location: East Yorkshire

If you only use it occasionaly have you considered disposable gas bottles from somewhere like Machine Mart.

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

Thanks for the quick response lads.

I think I'll experiment with the feed to see if it will take the thicker wire for a start. The small bottles would be an option but do you know if there is a need to change the regulator?

Another suggestion has ben to use the CO2 bottles from the pub. May have a source for those too! Has anyone tried them?

Just think the time has come to realise that 70quid a year for bottle rental is just disproportionate to the usage.

Kelsham · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject: mig gas

I can sympathise, I have just paid the rental.

I believe that it is generally felt that the gasless wire is unsuitable for thin metal such as body work.

CO2 lets the wire burn hotter, not ideal on thin metal. My nieces husband uses it without any evident problem.

He does use an industrial MIG he bought secondhand.I presume this helps him.

Its a pity we are not all closer together, we could rent one bottle and share it.

I disposed of my acetylene set because of bottle rental costs.

Regards Kels.

Dirty Habit · Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 398 Location: West Midlands, UK

I canceled my Argonmix from BOC because of rental and bought two new CO2 bottles from a company in Birmingham for £15 each and they refill them for around £2.50. I bought 2 bottles because you always run out on a weekend.
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1964 International Harvester

Nic Jarman · Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject:

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

The wire on the borrowed gasless machine ran out over the weekend but I'm happy with the weld quality (limited only by my skills and not the product!) no problem on thinner metals.

Used the 'tail' of the outgoing spool to try out in my own MIG and with a new tip, the liner and the drive wheels seem to work OK. I'll try it out properly with some fresh wire later in the week.

However, the bottle is already in the car for return to BOC.

Thanks for the advice and observations.

clascar · Joined: 27 Oct 2008 Posts: 83 Location: mid cheshire

I am considering this company when my gas runs out Adams Gas
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When I exhibit a car I get the Shudders. People queue up to tell me.
You should have done that, you should have done this. Ray

52classic · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 493 Location: Cardiff.

Success!!

Cleaned the drive wheels, fiddled with the wire speed and returned the bottle to BOC....

All set for the welding marathon known as my 2002!

Nic Jarman · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 12:56 pm Post subject:

I give my feed wheels a spray with brake and clutch cleaner that does the trick. If I could use nitrous oxide instead of CO2 I would be laughing.
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1936 Morris 8 Series 1
1973 MGB roadster
1977 MG Midget 1500
Dax Rush

baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

mid · Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 136 Location: Northampton

I have a clarke gas/gasless mig... i've only ever used it gasless.

to switch between gas and gasless you also have to reverse the polarity of the torch tip... there are quick connections on the front of my unit to allow this easily.

never found out why this is or even tried it the other way round so couldnt comment?

47Jag · Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 11:32 am Post subject:

Mid,

I tried gasless wire on a gas only machine and the weld was really crappy. Could this be due to the polarity?

Art

mid · Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Posts: 136 Location: Northampton

Could be... dont really know that much about it to be honest but all the makers of the gas/gasless machines say to reverse the polarity.

I've heard people getting successful results without but my welding experience is very limited so couldnt say.

I know that when I use the machine at work (a very large gas Mig) i can get a much better quality weld than i can from my small gassless, although ther is much more adjustability and a pro welder set the machine for me!

you do have to be careful as there is standard wire, gassless wire and flux cored wire... the flux cored doesnt automatically mean its for gassless though!