21 replies to this topic

[primrose8]

hi just run out of co2 last week so decided to change onto an argon mix, so i went to my local welding supplies who i know quite well, to see what they could do for me. I came away with a 11ltr bottle of argon mix which includes a regulator,flow meter! and quick coupler, you buy the bottle it belongs to you no rental it cost £149.24 +vat and refills are £36.75 +vat, as i said the bottle is mine and you could sell it on when you have finished and maybe recoup the outlay! got mine from gardner engineering at scarborough the bottle is a albee profesional(exchange programe). and just to add the argon mix is far superior to the co2! even for a novice welder like me. thought it may be of interest to others out ther cheers

[Brams96]

Adams gas is a lot cheaper. £50 deposit & about £32 for a refil for a 9L bottle.

[BusheyTrader]

I use Barnet welding (based just outside St Albans) and just upgraded from a 9L bottle to 11L as they only carry the larger size now. The bigger bottles give much more pedictable flows / results and the Argon is smoother to use than those tiddly cylinders that fit on the back of the Mig. I've still got a couple left over but will only use them if I run out at a bad time.

Primrose8's bottle is 2 litres larger at 11litres plus he bought the regulators and couplings in that price. It's much the same once you weigh it up against a straight 9L refill.

[GlynC]

I use Barnet welding (based just outside St Albans) and just upgraded from a 9L bottle to 11L as they only carry the larger size now. The bigger bottles give much more pedictable flows / results and the Argon is smoother to use than those tiddly cylinders that fit on the back of the Mig. I've still got a couple left over but will only use them if I run out at a bad time.

Primrose8's bottle is 2 litres larger at 11litres plus he bought the regulators and couplings in that price. It's much the same once you weigh it up against a straight 9L refill.

I'll second that I have been using them for a while and Peter the chap who runs it is very helpful and delivery good even with me in the Midlands so don't be put off by where they are based. They will also deliver any other bits you need as they carry a large stock check out their tinternet site.
I swapped out for the large bottle last time so here's hoping it lasts a bit longer Although I didn't think I would find so much to do!

[AVV IT]

Adams gas is a lot cheaper. £50 deposit & about £32 for a refil for a 9L bottle.

Adams Gas prices seem to vary depending upon the particular agent that you use. I use "HobbyWeld" as they are cheaper than my local Adams Gas agent. My local Adams gas supplier charge £60 deposit + £65.50 for a refill, Whereas with hobby weld it's £60 deposit & just £29.99 for a refill, plus the Hobbyweld cylinder is bigger. http://www.hobbyweld.co.uk/?page=35

Edited by AVV IT, 06 November 2011 - 05:31 PM.

[BusheyTrader]

and as I'm close enough to collect from St Albans there's no delivery charge, which always helps.

It's the same with Minispares, also close in Potters Bar so no p+p, plus I get to drive out there in the TR7V8 with the hood down if its a nice day

[primrose8]

well my first bottle ran out today! so lasted me 12 days! but have had hell of a lot of welding to do, cost £42 for refill so i am off again not much more to do now though so should last a while, maybe i might just turn flow rate down a little,

[BusheyTrader]

The lowest rate you can get away with is the best I suppose. My gauge's flow rate is hardly off the stop after a couple of seconds of welding. However, with thin Mini steel, most of mine is done in short pulses and the flowrate is higher for that first second.

Then again I don't think the machine became really consistent until I changed to a steel liner and proper sized gas bottle.

[R1mini]

well my first bottle ran out today! so lasted me 12 days! but have had hell of a lot of welding to do, cost £42 for refill so i am off again not much more to do now though so should last a while, maybe i might just turn flow rate down a little,

When I was welding for a living a bottle that size would last me 3 or 4 months, that would be welding 5 days out of the week, I used to have the flow rate about 8~10, only going higher if I was working outside or in a drafty enviroment.
I would check you haven't got a leak, soapy water will do it and turn it off when not in use especially overnight

Cheers
David

[sonikk4]

If you have a howling gale coming out of the nozzle its way too high. There should be a nice consistent gentle hiss. If you work outside then you will need to increase the flow rate. I have my regulator set to approx 8 psi although this is a rough figure as i tend to set mine by the sound of the hiss (it works for me)

[primrose8]

well my first bottle ran out today! so lasted me 12 days! but have had hell of a lot of welding to do, cost £42 for refill so i am off again not much more to do now though so should last a while, maybe i might just turn flow rate down a little,

When I was welding for a living a bottle that size would last me 3 or 4 months, that would be welding 5 days out of the week, I used to have the flow rate about 8~10, only going higher if I was working outside or in a drafty enviroment.
I would check you haven't got a leak, soapy water will do it and turn it off when not in use especially overnight

Cheers
David

hi david had flow on number 9 and always turn off when not in use

[R1mini]

well my first bottle ran out today! so lasted me 12 days! but have had hell of a lot of welding to do, cost £42 for refill so i am off again not much more to do now though so should last a while, maybe i might just turn flow rate down a little,

When I was welding for a living a bottle that size would last me 3 or 4 months, that would be welding 5 days out of the week, I used to have the flow rate about 8~10, only going higher if I was working outside or in a drafty enviroment.
I would check you haven't got a leak, soapy water will do it and turn it off when not in use especially overnight

Cheers
David

hi david had flow on number 9 and always turn off when not in use

Not sure what else to suggest then, the bottle I used was actually smaller, it was a PT10 provided by air products which as you may be able to guess is 10 litres, they are filled to 200 bar which is about 3000 psi

Cheers
David

[primrose8]

well my first bottle ran out today! so lasted me 12 days! but have had hell of a lot of welding to do, cost £42 for refill so i am off again not much more to do now though so should last a while, maybe i might just turn flow rate down a little,

When I was welding for a living a bottle that size would last me 3 or 4 months, that would be welding 5 days out of the week, I used to have the flow rate about 8~10, only going higher if I was working outside or in a drafty enviroment.
I would check you haven't got a leak, soapy water will do it and turn it off when not in use especially overnight

Cheers
David

hi david had flow on number 9 and always turn off when not in use

Not sure what else to suggest then, the bottle I used was actually smaller, it was a PT10 provided by air products which as you may be able to guess is 10 litres, they are filled to 200 bar which is about 3000 psi

Cheers
David

to be honest i think its the amount of welding ive been doing not complaing

[R1mini]

I just realised why perhaps my bottle lasted a lot longer, when I was doing this for a living stitch welding was acceptable for any patch, panel or whatever, I got out of car welding just as the law changed requiring seam welding on just about everything. I'm sure this explains the difference

Cheers
David

[grahama]

For the life of me I cant remember who i rent from, french sounding name, but the cylinder is £8 / month and a refil on a 9L cylinder is £40. That doesn't help much but when i remember i will post lol !! Outside welding is set to 10 L/min, (i think lpm is the units), but still blows away easily. If too windy I have now relented to welding in a make shift tent !!!

Graham

Air Liquide !!!!

Edited by grahama, 18 November 2011 - 10:12 PM.