Gas quality

[Daz1968]

I had previously been using hobbyweld 5 on my mig welder and recently signed up with boc and are now using argoshield light, It seems to be easier to weld with and penetration seems better is it an illusion or is boc gas better, they are both supposed to be 5% mix

 

[pondy]

That is something that's been mentioned before

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/different-gas-totally-different-weld.56209/#post-670908

 

[Davek0974]

That was my thread and again i am 2/3 down a bottle of HW5 and the quality is poor, lots of soot and spatter and the bacon sound turns to crackling.

I'm debating to go for straight CO2 - its cheaper and seemed reliable before, bit more spatter though.

Also looking to save cash, I pay £50 for a 10ltr fill of HW5 or £29 for CO2 - is there a better option????

 

[Davek0974]

Argoshield also has a bit of oxygen in...

£50 for 10l mix refill? Christ on a stick. What pressure is that filled to?

• 93% Argon, 5% CO2 and 2% Oxygen.

• Suitable for welding steel less than 5mm

• 9.5 Litres of gas per cylinder

• Standard industrial cylinder connections of 5/8 BSP Female RH, compatible with all other UK industrial cylinders

• Cylinder Gas pressure 137 bar at 15C

• Cylinder Dimensions: Height- 940mm, Diameter -140mm

• Weight 17Kg

- See more at: http://www.londongases.co.uk/view/hobbyweld-5#sthash.ZtZG7OI3.dpuf

That was inc VAT

 

[Davek0974]

Does it work out better though??

Seems they have a yearly rental fee?

If i use say two-three 10L bottles a year is it better?

My supplier delivers and no yearly rental fee.

I need delivery service

 

[daleyd]

I use sgs which seemed to be the cheapest rent free option for me (not a heavy user...). Had a couple of bottles of 5% and pure argon never had an issue. You may need to collect though.

 

[Davek0974]

Ok so it looks like BOC is the way to go, whats the best way to set up - just go through their site or is there a better way?

I see the BOC VolkZone thread but its 30 pages + and don't have time to read it all or even if its necessary.

What about their Genie bottles? They say they offer even more capacity but cant get prices as this shop is down

 

[gaz1]

just goto end 5 pages

as goes for contacting them ring them explain that your on a forum with volkzone offer and would like to go on it

number is on there or it can be supplied by someone

post is here for you

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/boc-and-volkszone-gas-offer.14605/page-22#post-567210

 

[Davek0974]

Thanks i'll try that Monday.

 

[Daz1968]

I did it via email and had a form sent back to complete online. Was easy just took a couple of days as they do credit checks

 

[pondy]

I did it via email and had a form sent back to complete online. Was easy just took a couple of days as they do credit checks

I had an online form sent to me to sign but it didn't work, was told someone would call me but they didn't, emailed back but no reply, so I emailed some one else but no reply so will have to call them

 

[Davek0974]

I did it via email and had a form sent back to complete online. Was easy just took a couple of days as they do credit checks

Who / where do you email????

 

[pondy]

Contacts are somewhere in the large boc thread. sure I emailed Stuart Anderson. Then Shelley woods

 

[Daz1968]

I just emailed customer services and a Charlie taylor sorted my account

 

[Davek0974]

I rang this morning, someone will contact me in the next 24-48hrs.

 

[pondy]

I just emailed customer services and a Charlie taylor sorted my account

Do you have an email?

 

[Daz1968]

Think it was custserv@boc.com

But you can email Stuart direct on Stuart.anderson@boc.com

I was sent a form to fill in online only issue I had was on the form they ask for a billing address and an address where gas is stored, caused a delay as mine were different but got sorted ok, I would advise making sure both address the same.

 

[Davek0974]

Rang back this morning as no reply yet, was told might get a call today or probably tomorrow.

Not exactly speedy service!

 

[Davek0974]

Yes they are very big company and very likely don't assign many staff to looking after hobbyists which were until recently frowned upon as time wasters etc.

Its good that they are at last taking hobby welders more seriously.

I have just signed the forms and am waiting for my account number now so i can go collect my bottle tomorrow and drop off my hobby weld ones and collect my deposit, luckily the two depots are not far apart.

I gather my existing regulators will be ok, is there something i should check???
Do the Y cylinders have a hand wheel or will i need to pick up a valve key????

 

[Davek0974]

will get a key

Pretty certain not CO2 reg, whats the difference??

I use a peashooter so no flowmeter to worry about.