thinking of going from gasless to gas

[plantlife]

Hi

I've been using arc welding for a number of years (on and off) I'm ok with it, but i don't use it much.
I mainly use a Clarke 90en gasless welder, I mainly used this set up because i thought buying gas was expensive (after a trip to the BOC)

I've now come to conclusion that Gas welding is cheaper and better. So Ive a couple of questions.
1) What size bottles do you normally use? I want something bigger than disposable ones.
2) How much do the large bottles normally cost, I'm a bit skint at the moment, but my car is falling to pieces so i need something sorting.
3) How long does gas usually last for?
4) My clarke welder is a bit bruised and battered, where's the cheapest place for parts, as I can't afford a new welder and I need various new parts. Or is it just better to upgrade.

I hope this is in the right section, I've read through a few topic's but I can't see the answers to my questions.
Hope so one can help.

 

[irondarren]

for parts for the welder speak to weldequip or check the forum shop. bottle size depends on how much welding you are doing. if its just a car i guess a small bottle would do. as for how long it last weld it depnds what you are welding. from a full size bottle i can run at least 10kg of wire (bear in mind most of my welding is done using 13mtrs of wire a minute on 0.8mm wire)

 

[invicta]

Hi

I've been using arc welding for a number of years (on and off) I'm ok with it, but i don't use it much.
I mainly use a Clarke 90en gasless welder, I mainly used this set up because i thought buying gas was expensive (after a trip to the BOC)

I've now come to conclusion that Gas welding is cheaper and better. So Ive a couple of questions.
1) What size bottles do you normally use? I want something bigger than disposable ones.
2) How much do the large bottles normally cost, I'm a bit skint at the moment, but my car is falling to pieces so i need something sorting.
3) How long does gas usually last for?
4) My clarke welder is a bit bruised and battered, where's the cheapest place for parts, as I can't afford a new welder and I need various new parts. Or is it just better to upgrade.

I hope this is in the right section, I've read through a few topic's but I can't see the answers to my questions.
Hope so one can help.

I think Irondarren has answered Q4.
With regard to Q2, you could try a CO2 bottle. Pub size is 14 lbs (Q1)and will give about 5 hours welding time (Q3). This will cost £15 - £20 plus a regulator, say another £45.
CO2 may not be as neat or easy to use on thin metal but is cheap and easily available. Argon/CO2 mix will cost considerably more.
I have been looking in this forum and these seem to be the answers to your questions. Check the shielding gas section. There is a lot of information there including a gas calculator. Hope this helps.

 

[plantlife]

Thanks for both replies, I've been reading up more. I'm going pub type bottle, with co2 to start with.

 

[Alistair]

id check the thread on the boc offer in shielding gas.... certainly more worthwhile than pub gas.

 

[flatmajor]

Good choice, im thinking of doing the same. ive my supply ov never ending hospital co2 now, so free shielding gas for me. cheers