I run a small Machine and Fab Shop primarily catering to the Aircraft Industry in design and construction of Ground Support Equipment. I am an AME (Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer) and have worked for over 35 years in Aircraft Maintenance annd overhaul of Lycoming Piston Engines and Garrett TPE331 Turboprop Engines. In creating the types of ground support equipment that I do, quality of work and appearance is very important, as the engineers that use my products are very critical of "Fit, Form, and Function" and most seem to be "Welding Critics". Early on I bought a Millermatic 252 Mig Machine with the Spool Gun (love the machine) and fitted it with Stargold C-25 Shielding gas, which has worked very well to produce nearly spatter free, good looking, clean, sound, quality welds that need virtually no clean-up. The extra that I spend over CO2 is more than made up for in the lack of post weld clean-up, quality, and appearance.
A couple of weeks ago, when I needed a re-fill, I asked my gas supplier, PRAXAIR, if they has a gas that I could use with Stainless Steel and my MM Passport + for a portable SS job, as well as Mild Steel. They asked me to try STARGON VS as they were promoting it as a type of "Universal Gas". There is an article about it on the Praxair website by Larry Cherne of Praxair (larry_cherne@praxair.com) where he explains the mixture that was designed to "increase weld quality and speed". The gas is a mixture of 90% Argon, 8% Helium, and 2% CO2. The low CO2 content allows for welding of Stainless Wire with low Carbon to perserve the Stainless qualities, while the Helium content actually allows operation in the Spray Transfer range if your machine has enough power and duty cycle. Praxair has a pattent on this gas mixture.
Holy Cow!
Fast and Clean is right. I have not used it too much yet and have not tried it on Stainless Steel, but on Mild Steel, it enters the Spray Transfer Range very easily (with higher voltage, 26.5 Volts and wire feed, about 350 IPM on 0.035 ER70S6 Wire for 1/2" MS in one pass) and does GREAT on heavier sections of Steel. Even at lower settings on smaller cross sections, it sprays easily at slightly higer than normal settings. (The file size of the picture that I had is too large to upload. I will have to reduce it's file size.)Has anyone else used it? I would love to see Jody do a video on Shielding Gas Comparisons for MIG between CO2, C-25, Stargon VS, and get his opinion.
Dave Brown
MM 252
MM Passport +
Lincoln V205-T
Crafter Series WC Tig Torch
Miller Digital Elite with Cool Band. (Allows you to breathe without foging up so you can actually see what you are doing.)
