Practicalities and legalities of using a breathing air bottle for pure Argon

[theboymike]

I've just bought a TIG and still need some Argon. I'm thinking my best bet would be a local chap (Elite Welding) who does pseudo "rent free" bottles since it works out cheaper than BOC unless I'm using absolutely loads.

I have an old 9 litre 207bar diving bottle down the shed; would it be possible to use this for Argon? The bottle fitting on my new reg looks suspiciously like the DIN fitting on the air bottle..

What would be the legalities of doing this? The bottle is out of test; does anyone know if the industrial bottle tests are the same as for breathing apparatus? Would I have to repaint / re-label the bottle to use it legally for Argon?

I assume BOC will only fill their own cylinders, is it common practice for most gas suppliers to insist that you use their bottles?

Thanks for reading, any thoughts much appreciated

 

[madkayaker]

get the right bottle alot safer

 

[cumbriasteve]

It just sounds so wrong to me, the same as putting weedkiller in an empty lemonade bottle, only the person who put it there knows it's there and what it is.

 

[Shox Dr]

Any type of pressurised bottle is tested and stamped so, or in the case of Breathing bottles have a serial number and a ticket that lasts for a set time. You wont find anyone willing to fill your bottle regardless of its test, with anything other than Compressed air

 

[TechnicAl]

If you manage it...........dont mix them up

 

[theboymike]

It just sounds so wrong to me, the same as putting weedkiller in an empty lemonade bottle, only the person who put it there knows it's there and what it is.

Fair point, although I wouldn't consider it without painting / marking the bottle accordingly..

Any type of pressurised bottle is tested and stamped so, or in the case of Breathing bottles have a serial number and a ticket that lasts for a set time. You wont find anyone willing to fill your bottle regardless of its test, with anything other than Compressed air

Just had a look at another bottle I have to hand; can't see any markings on it that refer to it's contents (aside perhaps from the BS cert.no.) that said the valve assy is a different format to a standard Argon bottle, and while the Argon reg physically fits since the thread is the same, I think the valve seats are different shapes so it's probably not worth the bother.

If you manage it...........dont mix them up

Wouldn't be the end of the world since their contents is used for shooting rather than breathing

get the right bottle alot safer

..and apparently a lot easier too. Was just a thought; will toddle off to my local supplier today and get a rented supply sorted out.

Thanks for all the thoughts