Section : General

General Tools and Techniques messages

Cost of Mig welder gas /bottles

Posted By : Andrew Szczecinski, 21-Oct-2006, 07:49pm

Hi

Just purchased a new Clarke 135TE mig welder and it came with one of those poxy little gas bottles.

Dropped by my local welding supplies place on Friday to enquire about a man size bottle!
Maybe im out of touch with prices, no ill re-phrase that. I know im out of touch with prices but i think this is a bit steep?

23p per day for rental (Â£82 per year)
Â£11 handling charge
Â£30 for filling

Cost for new regulator and large pipework ??? (didnt enquire - was already feeling faint with the cost of the Gas)

OK - i know mi tight but is there anyway to do this cheaper?
Am i better off buying a bottle rather than renting?

Thanks - Andy

Followups :

Cost of Mig welder gas /bottles

Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 21-Oct-2006, 08:02pm

other alternative is to buy a CO2 pub gas regulator and buy a pub gas co2 bottle from your local wholesale booze supplies

there was some confusion about bottle ownership a while ago Distillers vs. BOC yellow tops or black tops to the bottles but that has been sorted out lately with grey bottles, you uy the first one for Â£20 (i think) and each subsequent refill is a tenner

only co2 won't weld ally or alloys but does body steel fine

j
Cost of Mig welder gas /bottles

Posted By : Andy Vowell, 22-Oct-2006, 05:04pm

I've stuck with the poxy little bottles of CO2, I can get them for Â£8 from the local farmers merchant and a bottle lasts 2 sills worth (inner, strengthener and outer) and I'm still able to fit the welder under my bench and in my race van. I looked at using pub gas (my wife is a licensee) but found it to be too much of a pain with a big bottle.

Andy
- Cost of Mig welder gas /bottles
  
  Posted By : Piero Franchi, 24-Oct-2006, 05:40pm
  
  You realy want to be using a co2 argon mix,
  The lager the bottle, the more stable the gas flow is (not such a steep drop in preshore)
  Also with pub type bottles, most places wont fill them, and so they sould'nt, as the bottle needs to be checked and mantained.
  Thats waht you pay for, not so much the gas.
  Hope it helps.
  Piero
  - Cost of Mig welder gas /bottles
    
    Posted By : Mark Powell, 25-Oct-2006, 06:51pm
    
    Hi, I rent Argoshield Universal (size Y) from BOC. Rental about Â£50/year.. Refill about Â£30. I've had my present bottle about 2yrs, and reckon on about another 2 months use. I am not a high volume user, just your average restorer and general DIY fanatic!
    - Cost of Mig welder gas /bottles
      
      Posted By : Andrew Szczecinski, 25-Oct-2006, 08:21pm
      
      Thanks to everyone for some really good advice and in particular Piero's advice about maintaining the bottles. I agree and although accidents are unlikely i would prefer peace of mind when it comes to dealing with gases.
      
      The Argoshield sounds like the way to go, at Â£50/year it won't break the bank.
      
      Thanks again
      
      Andy
      - Cost of Mig welder gas /bottles
        
        Posted By : John Fairey, 31-Oct-2006, 10:41pm
        
        I got my large bottle of CO2 from Sureweld for Â£62 inc vat, equivalent of 20 small bottles apparently and only costs Â£13 to refill and the bottle is actually mine. Just exchange it when its empty and part with the loot! I do though, keep a small one as emergency as it always runs out on Sunday morning!