What a difference...

[Varnish5000]

...a gas makes!

I got my mig welder last Thursday.
After playing around with it and getting the settings right on some scrap metal, I bought some sheet steal to practice on a bit more.
I also got an argon/co2 mini bottle.
Last night my auto helmet arrived so I got into the garage to test it all out.

Its going great. I'm laying some pretty good welds. Having two hands free makes a big diffence.
Then the gas runs out. So I switch back to the CO2 bottle that came with the welder.

What a huge difference! The arc is unstable and there is a huge amount of splatter! My welds went from looking (IMO) pretty good to rubbish again

I think I'll phone BOC and ask for a quote, maybe get a bottle for christmas.

Unless anyone knows somewhere in Wiltshire where I can get Argon/CO2 at a good price.

 

[shenion]

CO2 works ok for low currents. It requires an accurate wire feeder. Any slop or variance in speed causes spatter. It is also hard to hear if the speed is right.

Ar/CO2 mixes are much easier and forgiving.

Yes, get a big bottle, those disposables will cost you a lot long term. Check the "rent free gas" thread, maybe there is one near listed.

 

[fingers99]

Like Shenion says, always worthwhile seeing if there's rentfree or lower rent gas in your area. Although they are theoretically the same company now, I believe, Air Liquide agents seem to have more freedom to cut deals and lower -- or do without -- some of the standing charge nonsense BOC indulge in.

 

[Bash_25]

I have air liquide and energas agents close to me , i spoke to both last week thinking they did deals without rental for the cylinder, but both are on rental.

Energas was pretty much the same as boc - without the handling charge

im still waiting for the air liquide agent to ring me back with a quote - she said it be about 5 mins - that was last week...

I have noticed that adams gas are offering next day delivery to most parts of the uk now so im gonna explore that route next.

Might be worth a look .

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk