Gas bottle dimensions, Hobbyweld versus BOC

[Morrisman]

I'm in the process of reworking my welding cart to add a Tig welder beneath the Mig. So, I will need two gas bottles. Currently have a BOC Argoshield, Y size, but due to the annual rental cost and very low usage I think I'll go with Hobbyweld 20 litre bottle for the Argon.

So, are these two bottles the same size, can I safely weld up the mounting brackets on my rig, and not find the bottle won't fit?

Funding chaos means I spent all my money on the tig welder, so I need to wait a while before spending £225 on argon.

 

[EBME2]

Hobbywelds own seem to be 200mm diameter and about 1m tall depending on fill, details are on their web site. SGS gases don’t seem to list their sizes might be worth contacting them depending on whos cylinder you decide on.

 

[James1979]

Just measured my hobbyweld 20l and it’s 210mm dia

That’s a quick measure, as accurate as I can with what was to hand. Definitely slightly more than 200 so if you allow 210 you’ll be fine

 

[Morrisman]

Okay, thanks guys. I'll leave little wiggle room.

 

[Turbo]

Do you have an SGS agent near you? Their bottles work out cheaper than Hobbyweld as they are filled to a higher pressure. Then if you contact the SGS MD on the forum you get £20 back on your 1st bottle of gas, plus with SGS you get back 100% of your deposit no matter how long you have the bottle. With hobbyweld the amount you get back reduces for every year you have it!

 

[Morrisman]

Do you have an SGS agent near you? Their bottles work out cheaper than Hobbyweld as they are filled to a higher pressure. Then if you contact the SGS MD on the forum you get £20 back on your 1st bottle of gas, plus with SGS you get back 100% of your deposit no matter how long you have the bottle. With hobbyweld the amount you get back reduces for every year you have it!

I'll look into that, I never knew about the dwindling deposit. Thanks.

 

[James1979]

Do you have an SGS agent near you? Their bottles work out cheaper than Hobbyweld as they are filled to a higher pressure. Then if you contact the SGS MD on the forum you get £20 back on your 1st bottle of gas, plus with SGS you get back 100% of your deposit no matter how long you have the bottle. With hobbyweld the amount you get back reduces for every year you have it!

Must be an old agreement?

This is one of mine

The only thing to note is that you don’t get a penny without the blue form if you return it. They are very strict on that.

 

[Morrisman]

Do you have an SGS agent near you? Their bottles work out cheaper than Hobbyweld as they are filled to a higher pressure. Then if you contact the SGS MD on the forum you get £20 back on your 1st bottle of gas, plus with SGS you get back 100% of your deposit no matter how long you have the bottle. With hobbyweld the amount you get back reduces for every year you have it!

I found an SGS place right in my town, went and asked about argon. The place has not even opened, taken over from a car sales place, but the guy in there said £265 for argon: bottle deposit, gas, and including £85 surcharge.
Am I getting ripped off?

 

[addjunkie]

I found an SGS place right in my town, went and asked about argon. The place has not even opened, taken over from a car sales place, but the guy in there said £265 for argon: bottle deposit, gas, and including £85 surcharge.
Am I getting ripped off?

What size is that for?
Last time I looked the ultra from hobby weld with 300 bar was slightly cheaper. Youll rattle through argon once you stsrt playing.

 

[Morrisman]

What size is that for?
Last time I looked the ultra from hobby weld with 300 bar was slightly cheaper. Youll rattle through argon once you stsrt playing.

That's for a 20 litre bottle.

 

[addjunkie]

Ok I see the pressure is now 230 rather than the 137 of the small stuff

 

[Turbo]

As far as I know SGS agents are free to charge what they want though I think the deposits are fixed. Maybe Alan @Agautosport can confirm this? (the owner of SGS gases)

It's been a year or 2 since I got any SGS gas but the last bottle of mig gas was a good bit less than that, maybe pure argon is more expensive?

 

[Morrisman]

As far as I know SGS agents are free to charge what they want though I think the deposits are fixed. Maybe Alan @Agautosport can confirm this? (the owner of SGS gases)

It's been a year or 2 since I got any SGS gas but the last bottle of mig gas was a good bit less than that, maybe pure argon is more expensive?

It could be several years before I need refilling but I'll do some homework next time.

I'd already tried the nearest Hobbyweld stockist and they said they could supply the gas, for £235, but i'd have to wait until all their stock of varied bottles were empty before they'd send off for new stock.

Another place a similar distance away from home didn't seem to have an address I could work out how to get to.