which gas bottle?

[stevekendal]

I just got an Eland mig 130 very cheap. Wire speed control doesnt work, but I can sort that. Question is, I dont have a bottle or regs yet and I'm wondering is it worth getting one of those mini bottles to start me off? How log do they last? Also, which is better for rust car bodies. CO2 or argoshield. Steve (absolute novice)

 

[shenion]

If you are talking about disposables (mini bottles) they last about 6-10 minutes of welding. The CO2 disposables last much longer.

CO2 will work, but is harder to use on thin metal. Argon/CO2 mixes are easier to use.

 

[stevekendal]

thanks for that. I just found a firm called adams gas offerring a 10l bottle. they do light or heavy. which one for thin stuff please? steve.

 

[shenion]

Light would be for thin metal.

 

[fingers99]

As shenion says. Worth doing the sums very thoroughly. While a baby 10 litre bottle will be much better than disposables, with carriage it will all start to add up.

NW? Anywhere near Wrexham or Lancashire?

 

[Iain Westland]

how much will you be using? i get my big bottles og argoshield light for about £90 a year rental and then £55 each exchange for the gas, going to go down to the smaller bottle next time, easier to move around.

Iain

 

[stevekendal]

Hi guys. Very low usage, just my own little minis to weld. I am in Kendal, but travel a bit Steve.

 

[fingers99]

Hi guys. Very low usage, just my own little minis to weld. I am in Kendal, but travel a bit Steve.

Take a peek at this thread.

 

[DingleZilla]

Hi Steve,

I use Argoshield in a W size bottle from BOC. If I were you I would aquire a pub bottle and buy a regulator.Then find a welding shop that can refill it for you. I would also get some 40s grit, 4inch flat, flap discs for your angle grinder to take as much rust off as possible. Beware, that some rusty old car body work can burst into a flare of spark's and be very difficult to weld neatly. Get back to good steel if possible. Also, beware of hydrolastic suspension pipes, brake pipes, fuel pipes, underseal and cables. Try not to weld lying down underneath the car, take the interior out and weld from the top. Having got some bad burns from dropping molten metal and no escape route, I can tell you it hurts! Regards, DZ.

 

[Iain Westland]

all good points well made!!, unfortunately I am forced to practice 'elastoplast' welding for taxis and minibusses. Felt a bit warm last friday whilst welding a transit rear xmember, my coat was alight

on the other hand, having been forced to weld without ramps for the last four weeks, I seem to be being a lot more conscious of preparation, and per say my quality of weld is improving.

as they say, two coats of looking, one coat of paint

Iain