LandyManLuke Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 Rent free cylinders are becoming more common, they make a lot of sense when compared to the little disposable ones. They're often lower volume, and often at a lower pressure, as mentioned above, but they're still a much better compromise. I did a comparison between the rental contract I'm on now, with Energas, and a rent free set up, and I'd have to get through about four 20 litre cylinders a year to make the rental setup cheaper. On average I use 1-2 cylinders worth a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sugden Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Being a welder myself I'd personally go for a industrial size bottle (mini stumpy or full size) and regulator, it will be a hell of a lot cheaper in the long run. The regulators for the industrial bottles are the same size whether it be a stumpy bottle or full size bottle. I would also fit a flow meter to monitor and regulate the pressure. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveSIIA Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Could be worth a run out to Agar's up on the industrial estate in Harpur Hill. They do pub gas bottles for welding. IIRC ~£20 a time. You'll also need a CO2 regulator for ~£30. Overall cheaper than keep buying hobby bottles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SORNagain Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Hi, I had one of these welders once and instead of having a gas solenoid inside the welder, there is a simple valve in the torch. The problem might not be the amount of gas flowing when you are welding, but rather the amount that flows when you are not! I seem to spend 99% of my time preparing stuff and only the other 1% actulally welding, so even if this valve is leaking by a tiny amount that might account for your excessive consumption.... You could try leaving the bottle disconnected until the moment you are ready...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggie Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I got a 10L bottle of Argon from these http://www.southwestgassupplies.co.uk/ They have agents all over the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sugden Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Note: Using 100% CO2 is good for thin panels on cars etc, as it is a colder gas but for a structural weld with thicker material e.g. the chassis, the weld can be hotter so I'd tend to use Argon / CO2 Mix. 100% Pure Argon is for Aluminium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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