Is this for me?

[Caledonian]

It is time to resurrect my project, been lying dormant for nearly 2 years
I've been practising with dispoables but need to get a rent free bottle.
I found this one that looks good value if the figures are correct.
85% Argon/15% Co2 10L @ 200 bar = 8/9 hours welding for £123.50 delivered.
Not knowing bodiddly, I would like an opinion before I order
It will be used on my old MR2, so thin sheet work mainly, is above a good choice?

TIA

Jack

 

[cumbriasteve]

The ratio you mention will work but is more suited to higher amps on thicker material, 95/5 is the commonly identified ratio for car body.

I pay £35 rental and £33 refill for a full size bottle locally, its an independant gas supplier who does not advertise welding gasses and I would have known nothing about if I had not called in when I saw the calor gas sign...worth checking around any industrial estates near you and asking a few questions.

 

[Caledonian]

Thanks Steve, have hunted locally but no joy. And anyone I have asked seem to rent from BOC, not an option for me. I'll go back to the drawing board and search for 95/5

 

[cumbriasteve]

Don't forget many restorers simply use a pub bottle of Co2 and manage very well with it, although not the perfect gas for the job, it works and is cheap.

 

[shenion]

85/15 will be fine but may have a bit tall welds. In the US we use 75/25 Ar/CO2 for all metal. The 85/15 should be about the same as Argoshield light.

Again, the 5% CO2 mixes mentioned also has 2-3% of O2. O2 adds about 8 times the heat that CO2 does. So a 5% CO2 with 2% O2 is about the same as 20% CO2.

 

[Caledonian]

Thanks Scott, I've found another that is 7% Co2, 2.5% Oxygen and 90.5% Argon, a 10L filled to 200 bar. Does that sound better?
Steve, I hunted locally but could only find Co2 and really want to give myself any advantage I can get
Will a 10L @ 200 bar really live up to the 8/9 hours of welding claimed?
It's just that the time this project is taking, the deposit bottle seems like a good idea.

Jack

Forgot to say, I have a Clarke 151TE if that makes any difference.

 

[shenion]

10L at 200bar is 2000L

2000l divided by 10L/min is 200 minutes.

200 minutes is 3.33 hours of torch on time.

Since the Clarke has a small torch, you can get away with 8L/min that would give 4 hours use. On disposables, they run about 6L/min.

The 8/9 hours probably assumes a 40% torch on time.

The 7/2.5/90.5 should work fine.

 

[Caledonian]

Thanks again Scott, I'll get it ordered

 

[cutandshut]

Why is renting from BOC not an option for you?

 

[Caledonian]

Why is renting from BOC not an option for you?

Really because of the time factor
Trying to get the time and cash in the same place at the same time is meaning that the project is taking forever. I want to get started on some welding now or in near future but it is in the lap of the Gods when the last bit will be done.

 

[Omniata]

Pay BOC monthly, that way you don't have to have a lot all in one go and pay the same as you would annually

 

[Caledonian]

I'll check it out before I order the rent free one but not having a clue how long I'll have it is a problem. It has taken me about 2 years to get to the point where I need to weld
Realistically I can see the contents of one bottle lasting me years

 

[Caledonian]

Okay, got the BOC prices tonight:
Size X 2.3 m3 ( bit more that rent free one) Refill £30.04, Monthly Rental £5.90 and an environment and energy surcharge of 0.90p per cylinder, finally collection fee of £13.05.
All are plus VAT, so an annual total of £149.62
The rent free 5% here works out at £118.95 and has the "one off lifetime use of cylinder charge"
Add in the fact the project could take a lifetime I think the rent free is the one to go for.
Thanks for all the input,

Jack

 

[shenion]

Rent free usually would come out less per year. If you have a lot of projects long term, rental may be better if you use a lot of gas.

Hopefully BOC will see the light and offer rent free. Here it is the other way around, rental is only for large customers and they will deliver as part of the contract.

There is BOC here but I have only seen large tanker trucks carrying industrial gasses.

I have had mine 4 years and refilled 3 times (about due.) Each time the company name changed: Holox, Linde, Air products. My current bottle says Hillman Gas. I liked the last one as it said Airco and matched my welder. Seems there is a lot of mergers/acquisitions going on.

Noticed a new large distributor: Praxair on the way to work.

My bottles would sit unused, then I'll use half of one over a long weekend. Fill is not far; the distance/easy of getting it filled will be an issue.

 

[Caledonian]

My plan is for only the one project but we'll have to wait and see once word gets round lol
A Dad with an aging ride-on mower.
A brother that still races twin shock moto-X
A nephew that is getting into cars.
Maybe I am underestimating the use it'll get.
If so, then they can buy the next one

Edited to add: Is this what I need for a regulator?