MIG welding and advice

[Walter Deitzler]

Today the robotics team walked into our machine shop to clean it, and found this:


It is a MIG welding torch.

Now, we do not know who left it there (we have our suspicions) but, if they are interested in letting us keep it, we would be VERY happy to use it. Myself and one other person on the team do have experience using a MIG welding torch, plus we could see if a sponsor would be willing to send us one of their professional welders for further instruction.

This would be the first time we had a welding torch, and the question arises if this room would be alright for welding.

We could get access to a table that we need for it, and we would probably either open a window, or, if needed, install a vent for the excess gases.

Next, in order to weld aluminum, the manual says we need 100% Argon gas. Where can we get this, and how expensive is it?

Thank you for the help. More pictures can be found on the blog here: http://robolions3397.blogspot.com/