Do BOC / Air Products deal with hobby / homes gas users, and what do I need to know?

[jcorallo]

Hi,

I'm a home / hobby welder looking for re-fillable Argon cylinders for TIG work in the Blackburn Lancashire area (also for the Billericay Essex area...).

I've never tried to get these cylinders before, always had disposables with my MIG.

1) Will BOC / Air Products deal with private individuals or do they only deal direct with businesses / companies?

2) Do either of the suppliers require you to have a certain set up for storing / holding the cylinders or do they not care? I mean, am I likely to get refused gas because I want to store it in a residential area??

Cheers,

Jules

 

[Shug]

1. Yup. You'll need to set up an account tho.
2. Nope. They wont care about storage. When I first got mine, air products dealer just left it outside on pavement for me to pick up!

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

it's the same with BOC.

I reckon as long as it's 'inert' they have no real concerns.

It'd probably be different with Oxy-acet, etc.

Regards
Peter

 

[piman]

Hello Jules,

I've been a 'hobby' welder with oxy\acetylene for a long time and there was no problem setting up an account with BOC. No restrictions or questions either.

Alec

 

[jcorallo]

Thanks guys,

So it sounds like there wont be any problems then.

Presumably once I've set up an account with say BOC, I can then use that account at either end of the country? Or is the account tied to a particular outlet?

Cheers,

Jules

 

[piman]

Hello Jules,

no, I have used mine at different outlets.

Alec

 

[MarkG]

Any person can hold whatever cylinders they like as BOC, AP, & AL don't care what you have, as long as you pay the rental for them.

Your insurance company might cough a bit though if you have flammables at home.

Your account with any of the gas companies will be nationwide, but it's recommended that you take ID with you if going into a different branch.... some agents do ask for it if they don't have you on their records.

 

[jcorallo]

Thanks everyone,

I've called both BOC and AP and they are sending me some forms to fill in for setting up the customer accounts and direct debits etc, plus prices of TIG gases suitable for stainless.

BOC offered to set the account up over the phone if I wanted the gas quickly, but I don't need it just yet, not for a few weeks.

Are there any other suppliers to choose from other than BOC and AP? Who's number 3?

Jules

 

[Bartman]

Are there any other suppliers to choose from other than BOC and AP? Who's number 3?

Air Liquide

 

[malcolm]

There are also a few independant gas suppliers that don't have bottle rental. Really handy for hobby welders. Adams Gas is one (south of the Thames though on that little bit that sticks out), and the South West and North Wales seem to be covered by others.

 

[Bartman]

Adams Gas is one (south of the Thames though on that little bit that sticks out), ...

ermm...Air Liquide main agent...