Shielding gas or not?

[TheBigToe]

I have a Hobart Handler 140 I picked up at a pawn shop. It didnt have the gas regulator or shielding gas bottle. Looking for input on purchasing a regulator, hose and bottle or simply continuing to used flux wire.

[JKalchik]

Some place like Tractor Supply, one of the fleet farm stores, your local welding supply, Or online like CyberWeld.com.

Flux core isn't necessarily bad, useful when welding in a breeze that would blow away the shielding gas.

[TheBigToe]

Just didnt know if it was worth the $100 for the regulator and hose setup

[Overspray]

IMO, it would be worth the $100. Flux core will glue it together, but using shielding gas will get you cleaner welds with less hassle.

[Big T]

[Dirtytires]

Double yea that.

I absolutely hate flux core. You will find the gas produces a nicer weld and the splatter is decreased greatly.

A bottle of gas will last a fair amount of time but bigger bottles aren’t much more to fill than the smaller ones. I run two 80cuft bottles so I always have a full one. Most places like airgas will let you change up/down on bottle size by just paying/refunding the difference in case you ever want to switch.

[Chromeski]

I agree with DT. I recently bought a second bottle because you just can't run out at a good time.

[DunnSmoke]

I use C02 on my Hobart 140.
You can find a 20 lb C02 bottle cheap. They are the ones used on the fountain drink machines.
I will never go back to flux core.
Im a novice and only weld a little.

[TheBigToe]

So co2 is better than argon?

[Diggerg]

I personally wouldn't waste argon on MIG. Maybe a co2 argon mix but I keep the pure argon for Tig stuff

[DunnSmoke]

CO2 is not better than argon, just a lot cheaper.
I agree with Diggerg.

[JKalchik]

Gas depends on both process and metals.

I've got 2 bottles in the garage for the MIG for mild steel and stainless, as well as another for TIG.

[Big T]

I use c25 for welding carbon steel, it's pretty cheap and does a good job.

[Dirtytires]

I started with co2 and keep a bottle around as i find it better for welding outside. For the shop, I keep the 25% co2 /75% argon mix. On my last exchange, I gave $38 for a 80cuft cylinder.

[TheBigToe]

Thanks for the input.