Thread: C02 bottle and Reg from Homebrew, is it ok to use with MIG

Hi All

I am new to MIG welding and to date have used my MIG in gasless mode only as i only do the odd repair job in the garage, nothing more that 5mm steel, mostly only 1.6 to 3mm.

I have a home brew system with a CO2 bottle and was wondering if i could use the same for the mig. Regulator adjusts down to minimise the flow.

What are peoples thoughts, anything I should be aware of or problems that would occur.

I currently run my MIG with homebrew CO2. You don't get quite as neat a weld as Argon/CO2 mixes, but you still get very acceptable results.

Only thing to be careful of is that your gas is 100% CO2 and not a Nitrogen(?)/CO2 mix.

The important feature of a "proper" CO2 welding regulator is the flow meter, which ensures you're using the right amount of gas. You might be able to get a flow meter by itself and add it after your regulator?

You should be able to find a CO2 regulator/flow gauge from some one like Hare & Forbes for a reasonable price as they sell generic Asian-made parts, unlike some places which stick a house brand on the same item then mark it up to heck so they can say its 'Australian'. Even EBay is lilely to have them.

CO2 welding regulators actually aren't that easy to come by. I did find one at my local Gasweld tho, cost about $80 from memory.

I use my normal MIG regulator and made up an adapter for the cylinder. I seem to recall that there is an adapter available commercially, but I don't recall the exact details.