Bottle on/off handle?

[Garvey]

Should my bottle of gas have come with a handle to turn it on? It didnt occur to me when I picked it up earlier

 

[Paul.]

No, you need a cylinder key, sometimes called a spindle key, BOC, or your welding supplier will have them

 

[Welderpaul]

BOC tend to give them away for nothing if you ask nicely.
About the only thing that is free, although they have sweets on the counter in the Leeds branch - fill yer pockets!

 

[madkayaker]

don't for get to tie the key to the bottle so you don't loose it!

 

[Garvey]

I used a socket and bar to turn it on

I'll see if I can blag a proper one next time

 

[rtbcomp]

don't for get to tie the key to the bottle so you don't loose it!

And keep it in the valve when using the gas so you can turn off in a hurry if you need to!

 

[Highway_Star]

And turn it OFF when not in use, else it might all leak away... Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[londonsean69]

I too forgot to pick one up when getting the gas. Used a 7mm spanner, but that broke when turning on the Argon (valve was super tight)

A 3-way radiator key worked perfectly, and has the advantage of having square holes, and is brass, so if something is too tight, then it will give rather than mashing the valve.

When I eventually have to get a refill (big bottles are great) I will get a proper key.

Sean