Any other options to disposable gas in Bedfordshire?

[andyh]

Hi all

First post so go easy

I'm only a hobbyist but have had enough of buying disposable bottles of gas from Halfrauds!

I've been saving up some projects and now need to do a fair bit of welding, I reckon this will take 3 or 4 disposable bottles of gas (£10 each). Does anyone know what my other options are in the Bedfordshire area?.

What would I need to buy to convert my SIP Migmate 130 to use the larger bottles from BOC? I assume I'll need a bigger regulator and a gas pipe from it to the welder, I've found a regulator on ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ARGON-GAS-REG...ryZ11774QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem do you think this will be any good?

Thanks in advance
Andy

 

[malcolm]

There's a BOC outlet near you - there's a distributor finder on http://www.bocindustrial.co.uk/, although that's £50 a year bottle rental plus £30 for a refill.

I don't know of anyone selling smaller bottles in the area, and postage isn't an option for gas bottles.

For the regulator check which bottle type you end up with. I think the CO2 bottles you can sometimes pick up from friendly pubs have a different connection. The argon reg should work on BOC Argoshield bottles, but it's well worth firing a question off to the seller to check.

 

[Jim]

If you follow Malcolm's link to BOC's site click on BOC Book Online and navigate to Home + Gas Equipment + Gas & Welding Accessories + Accessories + MiniMIG Conversion Kit, you'll want one of those to convert from the mini bottles to decent sized bottles. I think the kit costs around £35 but can't find out for sure online as it's not in the right place on their price list. If you're interested you can also get a kit to convert any SIP to use a Euro Torch !
The other alternative to BOC, Linde, Air Productes et al (if you want CO2 is to have a word with the landlord down your local.

HTH
Jim

 

[adriang]

I found this company :

http://www.sgswelding.ltd.uk/

who offer a small refillable bottle (refills cost about £12, apparently contain about twice as much as a disposable). Unfortunately, they seem to be only servicing existing customers as the regulator is no longer available from the supplier. It's not clear to me whether a normal regulator could be adapted.

-adrian

 

[Jim]

Just had a look at Adrians link. The 'Midget Widget'
Quick quote from the site ...
"It comes with an adjustable control handle which can be adapted to operate with the existing range of regulators in use with disposable cylinders."
So it looks like this may be a viable option, providing you're near Alconbury/Huntingdon or can find somewhere else that can refill it for you !
Jim

 

[andyh]

I called SGS earlier (see link below) and they were most helpfull. Unfortunatly they are unable to supply the required regulators for the 'Midget Widget' and normal disposable bottle regs cannot be modified.

I also called Air Products nr. Rushden, Herts and they charge the following for a 10 litre bottle

£68 yearly rental
£30 per refil

Both of the above are plus VAT

SGS sell a conversion kit for disposables to large cylinders for £45 and Air prioducts sell one for £35, what the difference is between them I didn't ask.

 

[weldequip]

I could clean up with a few national branches! I SELL a 10L Argoshield cylinder for £89 +Vat (full) & then £17.50 for a refill. The cylinder is YOURS & the only ongoing costs are (obviously) the refills & a cylinder test every 5 years @ £20.
I think you will find that the cheaper Air Products conversion kit uses one of those nasty cheapo gas regulators & that is why it is so much cheaper.
weldequip

 

[andyh]

You could indeed clear up, I'm almost tempted to drive up and get one from you!

 

[weldequip]

You are more than welcome but a long way for refills!

 

[Justme]

I know that you have looked at deliver & its problems but who delivers the bottles to you? Surely they could deliver to your customers? Or do you actualy do the refilling yourself "onsite"?

Justme