Litres in BOC Argoshield size X ?

[CompoSimmonite]

Yesterday had the annual bill from BOC for my Argoshield Universal size X and at £85.98 it's time to shop around for a rental free bottle but I'm not sure what to compare with !
Anyone tell me how many litres there are in a Size X bottle ? BOC website gives weight and dimensions but not capacity
Also is Argoshield the same as Argon+5, +15 or +20 ?
This is for DIY use and mixed - car bodywork to gates, angle iron etc.

Thanks.

Paul H

 

[steviec_lj]

Sounds like Argon5 will suffice for what you're welding.

 

[Bill Edwards]

For the thin stuff you're welding you'll be best with 95% argon, 5% CO2. Known as Argoshield light.
I can't help on the dimensions, but are you aware of the BOC Volkzone offer where you can get a Y size (bigger, 20l bottle also filled to 230bar) for £35 per year rental, will fills costing £25? All plus VAT. It's a great offer and usually works out cheaper than the rent free options if you get through more than a bottle per year - and be aware that most of the rent free bottles don't fill to anywhere near as high pressure, which coupled with the actual deposit and high refill costs can make the BOC offer very economical.

 

[Wallace]

Do you need an X for a reason, is a Y too big? You can get the Y much cheaper on the Volkzone deal. I'm in a similar situation as my rental has just come through for the Oxygen on my O/A set at £109.68 so looking at alternatives.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Thanks for replies.
Due to health problem I actually haven't done any welding for a couple of years ! Loads of backlogged projects and only last week bought some box section to start building again Stroke has affected my right hand so might have to update to foot switch but otherwise feel I'm as good as I every be again so will just have to adapt.
The size X was what was offered when I took out the BOC contract probably 20 years ago and have never bothered too much before about being too big or small as quickly changed if empty with there being plenty of local suppliers besides BOC.

AFAIK the Volkzone deal has finished - unless somebody can tell me otherwise.

Paul H

 

[Wallace]

I have a Pureshield Argon and Argoshield Light both on the Volkzone deal and changed the Argon recently, the bill turned up yesterday at the Volkzone price. Just wish they would do the O/A on the Volkzone deal!

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I have a Pureshield Argon and Argoshield Light both on the Volkzone deal and changed the Argon recently, the bill turned up yesterday at the Volkzone price. Just wish they would do the O/A on the Volkzone deal!

I think tomorrow I'll rig BOC and tell them I intend cancelling my contract UNLESS they can come up with an offer like Volkzone. You never until you ask

Paul H

 

[Bill Edwards]

The Volkzone offer is still available, just ask for it by speaking with the head office, not the outlets, many of whom aren't aware of it.

 

[Wallace]

Have a look at this thread Paul.

 

[gordon stephenson]

As far as I am aware, the Volkzone deal is an on-going offer. I did take the precaution of joining the Volkzone forum (free)as the original offer was to them. before getting the BOC deal,It's no good going into a local BOC outlet,they don't seem to know about it, Ring BOC sales to arrange everything then collect the 20lts Y size bottle from the boc depot,
P.S they also do pure argon on a similar deal.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Just rang BOC main office . They knew nothing about the Volkszone deal and said no offers on Size X or Y other than some sort of "two for one" (didn't go into it further as not interested).
Even if the Volkszone deal was offered to me, on reflection, it's still £40 pa rental so am now going with http://www.sgsgases.co.uk/ as they have several local distributors. Ring in morning and if they haven't got a replacement full bottle in stock then it'll be there for mid day. I've been quoted £80 deposit, £39.99 fill (both plus vat) for 10ltr and £85 deposit, £59.99 fill for 20ltr. Deposit 100% refundable at any time whether after a day or a decade
BOC quote £49.81 fill for size X and £61.13 fill for size Y - both again plus vat.

Paul H

 

[Wallace]

Sounds like you spoke to someone that's not very helpful. Each time I rang for the Argon and Argoshield deal they had to go and find out the information. This is copied from the Volkzone thread 21/02/14:-

Good Morning,
I work for BOC in the Sales department and this is just a quick note to let you all know that the BOC Volkszone offer on MIG and TIG welding gas is still available.

Please contact me direct on 0161-930-6234 if you require any further information.

Many Thanks

Gary Dyson

I couldn't find anything on the SGS site about the contents pressure, if it's lower than the BOC cylinders the deal might not quite so good.

 

[Wallace]

Anyone tell me how many litres there are in a Size X bottle ? BOC website gives weight and dimensions but not capacity

Found it here in cubic Metres so 2.42mM³ x 1000 = 2420L.

 

[Jan]

If you dial the 0800 number from the BOC front page you should be able to get someone to confirm the existence of the Volkszone offer. They should also fill out their sections of the necessary forms and fax them through to your local depot for you to complete and then take away a full cylinder at the same time.
As said: Most local depots have no knowledge of the deal, so contacting the UK head office is the only practical way forward.

 

[julianthegypsy]

I also need a new gas supplier as I have been getting all my gas from my landlords at good prices but they have packed up :-( The volkszone offer looks good, and interestingly my neighbour at work got offered the same price without even knowing about the volkszone offer, but I also need oxy and acetylene too. Does anyone have any recommendations? We have a BOC supplier in town and an energas, so I could easily collect Y size bottles on my way to work.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Energas for the oxy acet. I priced up oxy acet and for the medium (BOC Y size) oxy acet Energas was the cheapest, with the rental coming to about £146 for the pair for the year. £16 to refill the oxy, £42 for the acetylene, and a handling charge of £11.95 each time. If you'll only use small quantities though Barnet welding supplies seemed the cheapest for rent free option. If cutting it may pay to rent an oxygen bottle but buy the fuel gas.
For an Argon mix the BOC offer is best.

 

[julianthegypsy]

Thanks Bill, that's very useful to know. I guess I'd use about three or four acetylene, the same oxy and probably three argoshield per year.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Then renting is certainly the better option for you. If you're equipped to handle them then it may work out cheaper to use full size bottles of each, but I have no prices for these.