Argo universal

[Bullyterrier]

I am looking for some advice please. I have been using argoshield universal, and I know it is supposed to be for over 4mm, but for what I have been using it on it is great, it flows smooth and I can zip up a couple bits of 0.8mm steel no problems. But I ran out, and after reading on hear came to the conclusuion that argo light would be better, but living in France I can't get B.O.C, so I got a bottle of air liquide arcal 21 which is 92% argon 8% CO2, and it is cr#p. If I keep the power down there is no penetration, if I up the power it blows through (and I get the same results adjusting wire speed). I just don't have the same control. And after talking to Air Liquide, I am cancelling the rental contract, and was thinking of returning to UK to take out another BOC rental, as my parents come over here frequent, so I could get the bottle exchanged ok.
However I have found that BOC is owned by Linde, and there are Linde gas outlets here, but looking around I have only found the same mix of gas as argo light. What will the difference be from argo light and universal? Will it act the same as the gas I have just tried (92% argon 8% CO2 without the O2)
I am very tempted to return to UK for the Universal as I know how it worked well.
Thanks

 

[malcolm]

The 2% of O2 makes a lot of difference.

For rough equivalence 75% Argon + 25% CO2 is equivalent to 93% Argon + 5% CO2 + 2% O2.

The gasses without the O2 but without a lot of CO2 are designed for spray transfer at high amps I think. Or for some other odd process.

 

[irondarren]

Higher CO2 content raises the point at which spray transfer is achieved

 

[Bullyterrier]

Has anyone used the 2, argo light and universal. Just wandering what difference there is between the 2. As I said I could probably get over here Linde corgon 5 which is 93% argon 5%CO2 2%O2

 

[weldequip]

Corgon 5's the same as Light & would be ideal
weldequip

 

[Bullyterrier]

What will the difference be in using the two weldy? I know one is for up to 4mm and one over 4mm. I am just concerned as it can be quite expensive trying out gas to find it aint no good. I am going to loose the price of the re-fill on this bottle now which is 74 quid, and I have to try and talk my way out of not loosing the first 12 months contract price.
The other thing I noticed was with the arg uni I would use it at 8 litres per minute.This arcal 21 I have to have between 12 and 15 to stop it oxidising.

 

[Bullyterrier]

Weldequip, You can't even get corgon 5 here now, Linde has stopped it. I have contacted Linde today, which is the parent company of BOC and they can only offer modion 55 which is 90% argon - 5% CO2 - 5% O2 which is only available in the large W size bottles.
Air liquide has stopped their arcal 24 (which was the same as argoshield universal) and have replaced 3 types of gas with 1 arcal mag, which has no O2 in it.
I contacted the rep last week for air products and he never heard of cougar 5,
but he offered ferromaxx 7
Its like being in the dark ages here for gas. So it is either ferromaxx 7 or getting argoshield from UK!

 

[Archie]

Ferromaxx is part of APs range of maxx gasses which they seem very keen for people to be using. They all come in their Integra bottles which have a higher fill pressure (300 Bar, I think) so you get more gas. They also have integrated preset regulators which some agents charge through the nose for and others give away free. I was also told that they have built in 'economisers' but I never really got to the bottom of whether this was true or not. I don't know much about the gas itself, having not used it, but I think it's aimed towards the heavier side of things. Hitch uses or has used it and said it was nice to use. Downside is the bottle rental is higher at about 32p per day. I don't know what they charge for a refill but given the extra volume probably more than usual. All this is what I remember from when I once enquired so it could be wrong either 'cos I've forgotten or it's changed.

 

[Bullyterrier]

I have taking out (via my Father) a new contract for 2 bottles with BOC in the UK. My parents come out quite often so hopefully it should be OK for keeping the supply going, with the bottle I have here it will give me 3.

 

[madkayaker]

Have a chat with Flange Jokey and get a pipe under the channel. Just try to keep it from catching fire!

 

[Archie]

MK what are you on about?! FJ's in Ireland which is much further from Bretagne than the South of England and Bullyterrier wants argoshield which is not exactly flammable!!!

 

[simon718]

bullyterrior, do your parents bring you the bottles over on the eurotunnel? i thought you weren't allowed compressed gases of any kind on it? or am i getting confused and that just applies to lpg?

 

[madkayaker]

I was linking to the euro tunnel issues. it made sense in my head.


Time to take the Meds

 

[Bullyterrier]

Simon,
No they use the ferries.

 

[simon718]

ah never thought of that mate i'll shut up now

 

[Bullyterrier]

No doubt that will be the next bl##dy obstacle though. But I cant see how caravans can cross with propane bombs strapped to the front and stop a giant fire extinguisher.

 

[Bullyterrier]

They brought my cebora over with the bottle before

 

[madkayaker]

worth checking or hiding

 

[Bullyterrier]

going to try not think about it

 

[Robotstar5]

When we used to take an ambulance to the Isle of Man all we had to do was fill in a form stating what compressed gases we were carrying (each gas has a UN number), the ferry company should be able to help and it does not cost anything extra.