gasless Migs

tets · March 27, 2020, 15:53

Has anyone used a gasless mig with any good results?

I've always used a gas mig but it got nicked a few years ago i need one again.

I did try a gasless that I borrowed to repair sme chairs and it was crap

Juggling between a £100 gasless or £300 gas one and in current climate i'd rather not fork out a fortune!

Carolyn · March 27, 2020, 15:56

Gas-less is just nasty spattery horribleness.

Problem is getting the gas at a decent price.

tets · March 27, 2020, 16:16

That was my experience when I tried fixing the chairs Carolyn but wasn't sure if it was the (not as clean as it should have been) metal

I always used pub CO2 which worked well - and now my step daughter runs a pub so i've an endless supply of bottles!!

Gaz2405 · March 27, 2020, 16:49

I've got a gas and gasless.

Gasless you end up with a messy weld and end up having to do a lot of grinding.

But if all you want to do is stick metal together it's fine. Used mine for my lambda bosses and down pipe.

Given the option though gas every time.

shnazzle · March 27, 2020, 17:12

I had a play with this the other week. Left gas off (CO2) and tried some welding. Went all over the damn place. Turned gas on, miles better.
Mind, to say I'm a novice welder is an understatement

105e · March 27, 2020, 18:29

You tried welding without any shielding gas? did you have the proper gasless wire

shnazzle · March 27, 2020, 18:32

Quote from: 105e on March 27, 2020, 18:29You tried welding without any shielding gas? did you have the proper gasless wire

Nope. I was just messing about.

I didn't actually weld anything like that. Just had a bit play

tets · March 27, 2020, 19:39

Quote from: Gaz2405 on March 27, 2020, 16:49I've got a gas and gasless.

Gasless you end up with a messy weld and end up having to do a lot of grinding.

But if all you want to do is stick metal together it's fine. Used mine for my lambda bosses and down pipe.

Given the option though gas every time.

cheers Gaz, i think i'll stick with gas!! I dont like untidy welding

thetyrant · March 28, 2020, 09:42

I bought a Clarke 151EN turbo Mig which can do Gas & Gasless with correct wire to teach myself to weld after a fair bit of research, a lot of people said if you can get good welds with gasless then once you switch to gas its a breeze!

It came setup for gasless with flux cored gasless wire and while yes it can be a bit spattery ive had some good results with it just bit more cleaning up to do, i will at some point but a gas regulator and bottle for it for cleaner welds but for little projects i do its been a good little work horse and more than paid for itself.

Think it was about £250 from machine mart a couple of years ago, after reading up on cheaper options i decided it was better to spend a bit more then if/when you need parts you can get them!

tets · March 28, 2020, 09:59

Are they easy enough to convert? I have looked at gasless / gas but noticed none of them come with any pipe to convert them.

My old one was a Cebora which Snap on later branded as theirs and it was old but a cracking welder.

thetyrant · March 28, 2020, 10:15

Quote from: tets on March 28, 2020, 09:59Are they easy enough to convert? I have looked at gasless / gas but noticed none of them come with any pipe to convert them.

My old one was a Cebora which Snap on later branded as theirs and it was old but a cracking welder.

With the 151EN one i have it just needs a regulator and gas bottle and it can do gas Mig welding, i think you can buy it with all these parts in the kit but i went for cheaper gasless setup just to get me started, i can easily buy a regulator and gas when i get around to it but so far ive not need too and with price of gas im happy with gasless for now.

All depends what your looking to weld i guess ? if its just mild steel and easy enough to clean up then gasless will do job cheap, if you want to do Stainless or Aluminium then you need to use gas.

tets · March 28, 2020, 10:42

Quote from: thetyrant on March 28, 2020, 10:15
Quote from: tets on March 28, 2020, 09:59Are they easy enough to convert? I have looked at gasless / gas but noticed none of them come with any pipe to convert them.

My old one was a Cebora which Snap on later branded as theirs and it was old but a cracking welder.

With the 151EN one i have it just needs a regulator and gas bottle and it can do gas Mig welding, i think you can buy it with all these parts in the kit but i went for cheaper gasless setup just to get me started, i can easily buy a regulator and gas when i get around to it but so far ive not need too and with price of gas im happy with gasless for now.

All depends what your looking to weld i guess ? if its just mild steel and easy enough to clean up then gasless will do job cheap, if you want to do Stainless or Aluminium then you need to use gas.

I'm mainly welding mild steel - I have bought a MMA for the thicker stuff and I can't see me welding stainless or alloy
Just didn't want to fork out a load of dosh at the minute for obvious reasons!!