BOC - any alternative?

[Tig Man]

Hi all.
I am new to welding and have just completed my Tig Level 1 city and guilds qualification at college. I have just bought a Par Weld XTI180P Tig inverter and all i need now is the gas which is obviously Argon. I didnt realise there was a lack of suppliers and BOC seem the only option but these seem expensive to someone who wont be making much money in the early years of the tig trade. Is there any alternative?

 

[Archie]

Not much, sadly. There's Air Products who are BOC's main competitor in the UK but their prices are unlikely to be massively different. There are also companies who supply gas on a rental free basis but these tend to be locally based so you'll have to root one out. There is a list of gas suppliers somewhere on the site. Lastly there's the option to use disposables but these are generally not recommended as they last for a matter of minutes only making them an expensive proposition. Sorry, probably not really what you wanted to hear!

 

[TheJoker]

I'm in North Oxfordshire, and I use this guy; http://www.eliteweldingsupplies.co.uk/
It's only small bottles, but they're £35 (if my memory serves) to fill. Three year contract, etc, etc... was £115 or so for the initial purchase. Quite happy about it! Service was excellent.
However, I don't know if he services all the way to you (depends on where you are).

 

[Gasman]

There is also Weld-air supplies in Dunstable- They offer a similar service and might be closer?? http://www.weldairsupplies.co.uk

 

[Iain Westland]

you got an outlet near Bolton North West?

 

[Gasman]

Yep! Freshford ltd, Audenshaw 0161 3710000 best ring first just to check as they may have a sub-distributor even closer.

 

[Iain Westland]

mercy buckets

 

[Seano]

There is also Weld-air supplies in Dunstable- They offer a similar service and might be closer?? http://www.weldairsupplies.co.uk

Anything in the Exeter area Gasman.....

WcW

 

[Gasman]

Not yet WcW but will keep you all updated on the Gas suppliers thread as & when.