Source for gas kit for MIG welder

This is a litle off-topic but I'm sure I'll get the answer here.

I decided to let a friend take my home-made buzz box off my hands last year and bought a Model 125GL Century MIG welder back in May. I back ordered the optional shield gas kit (regulator, hose, etc.) for it at the same time. The store can't seem to get it the kit.

I've called a local welding supply shop and they say that they have the kit for American welders with the regular fitting for the welder end of the hose but that the Century is an import with a smaller fitting and they can't get that one.

Does anyone out there know where I can get a kit that will, for sure, fit my welder.

Thanks and take care - Elden




Elden's Junky Web Page

Try Harbor Freight

Jim

Frankly, I'd take the Century back to the store, and get my money back! Then, if I absolutely positively had to have a 120 volt MIG, I'd buy either Miller, Lincoln or HoFart the Chinese welder. NO 120 volt MIG is worth much since none of them have the a$$ to weld much more than 1/16" steel, contrary to tons of advertising to the contrary.

Chris: this email address chrisc@bognergoup.com bounces back as unknown.

I disagree with Franz. These welders can't be beat for their intended purpose. I use my Hobart 135(made by the same company that makes the Miller 135) with .025 wire and argon/co2 mix. I weld everything from sheet metal to "properly prepared" steel up to 1/4" with no problems. The key is setting it up right and not expecting it to do the job of a 250 amp welder. I would not suggest using one without the gas kit though. Flux core wire is to heavy and to messy to do a decent job out of these machines despite the marketing.

Elden,

If you absolutely can't get the Century kit, why not get the kit from your local welding supply, and make whatever adapter is needed to connect it up?

You are dealing with inert gas, nothing explosive, it should be possible to make something up.

I believe Century was taken over by some off-shore outfit, maybe that's why the parts problem.

Chris, you aren't a weldor, are you? Please, post that theory of yours over at www.shopfloortalk.com and see what kind of answers you get. Have you ever bend tested one of your properly prepared welds on 1/4"? Have you ever polished and acid developed a cut cupon after you "welded" it? The only way a weld can be made on 1/4 steel with a 135 class machine, regardless of manufacturer, is multipass with preheat. BTW, Hobart and Miller are seperate divisions of ITW, and the HoFart machines are loaded with Chinese components so they can be dumped to box store customers. Notice HoFart is sold at Harbour Freight, right next to the "quality tools".

Bob:

You're right. If I can't find the correct kit for my welder, I'll just get the matching fitting for what I CAN get and modify my welder. If the welder poops out before the warranty expires and the manufacturer refuses to honor their warranty because of my modification, I'll simply fix it myself. Not brain surgery!

As for the quality of welds from a 135 class machine, I've done some work using flux core wire and, after a little practice, can make nice welds on 3/16" mild steel.

If a wire welder behaves like a buzz box, I can do thicker stuff if I use the right technique but, since I very seldom do over 1/4", I should have no problem.

The only reason I want to use the gas kit is to be able to do thin stuff and also to make prettier welds. I love not having to hammer slag.

Take care - Elden