Gas bottles size

[Rodman]

Hi , i have a Clarke 130EN ,and after practising with flux core wire ,nasty stuff,ive decided to go to gas , i know its a gas /gasless model, but i dont know if i can use gas right away ,do i need an adaptor kit of some kind? it does have a plastic line exiting the back of the machine.
As for size of bottles which one , its strictly for car restoration and small projects around the house.
Thanks in advance

 

[shenion]

You will need a regulator like this one. The model is WE6540 and has the adapter for the small plastic tube.

As for the size, I started with a 40CF tank; about 38" tall and 7" in diameter. Will last about 2 hours of welding.

Talk to your gas supplier and price the tanks there. Airgas/Linde/Air Products/Holox (same company) here prices here were less than I could buy a new tank elsewhere. If you buy a tank, they will swap it for a used one anyway so buying one from them is a good option.

The gas supplier may have a regulator but may be expensive.

Tanks range from 10CF to over 200CF. A 20CF tank is about $75US and will last for about 45 minutes of welding. I currently have a 125CF tank (about 4' tall 9 inches in diameter) It cost about $185. It lasts for about 6 hours of welding.

They will want to set up a rental contract, go for the buy or "user supplied tank" option.

 

[Rodman]

Thanks shenion, only problem now is finding a distributor in Canada,harder then it sounds , if i were to order one from Welding Depot it becomes expensive ,duty fees ,taxes etc. was wondering if it can rigged up somehow ,or does it have to be specifically for a clarke welder ?.
I checked Praxair for the gas ,95cf for 170.00c$,that includes buying of the bottle and fillup with 75%argon /25% co2 mix ,then it would be about 45.00c$ each fillup ,is this comparable with what others would be spending ?
Once again thank-you

 

[shenion]

I paid $175 for a 80CF bottle (later upgrade to a 125CF was $14.) Fill for 80CF with pure argon was $48.50, the 125CF is $68.45. I think 75/25 is a bit cheaper, but not much. So, yours sounds about right (actually a bit cheaper.)

weldingdepot does not ship international according to their website.

The regulator is not special other than it has the adapter for the 4mm plastic hose and is calibrated in LPM.

There are 3 types of regulators available:

1. Generic regulator output calibrated in PSI. Used for lab setups or welding setups with separate flow regulators/meters.
2. Regulator with a small orifice (restrictor) in the output and a gauge calibrated in LPM or SCFM. The Clarke is of this type.
3. Integrated regulator and flowmeter. These are the best as they actually show real flow.

My original reg came with the Clarke as a package deal from weldingdepot. I have bought 4 other regulators off ebay. I stayed away from no-name regs. The Weld-It one (lincoln Electric) was nice and I sold it along with another welder. The one I use is a Smith (type 1 above) with a flowmeter on my wire feeder.

I bet your gas supplier has a reg and the adapters. Mine had 2 isles of just gas fittings. Setting up 3 different welders, I have needed all kins of adapters and fittings. They had them all. Price was decent.

If not check ebay biz/manufacturing and metalworking/welding for regulators. Here's one of the Weldit ones I have.

I have an extra adapter, I could send it to you if you can't find one.