Evening all,
while out and about with work over the last few days I've been calling in to various gas supliers for prices on pure argon.
From what I've read Tig welding can be thisty on gas so decided to shop around for quotes before I take the plunge.

I thought Id share my info.....

This is just for pure Argon for tig welding.

Adams Gas Leeds 10L bottle = £55 returnable deposit and £55 per refill

B.O.C. Leeds 20L bottle = £9 per month rental + vat
£68.38 refill +vat also there is a £15.66 inc vat collection in person charge !!!!


Energas Bradford 10L bottle £4.73+vat per month rental
£28.15=vat refill

20L bottle £4.92+vat per month rental
£42.47+vat refill


Hope this is usefull cos it took me ages to type it!

ok i to have had a look in to this you can get a 11l bottle rent free with built in reg £140 and its yours also £38 refill from spectrum welding chesterfield hope this mite help im gong to do this seems ok
cheers paul

quote:

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Originally posted by imp paul
ok i to have had a look in to this you can get a 11l bottle rent free with built in reg £140 and its yours also £38 refill from spectrum welding chesterfield hope this mite help im gong to do this seems ok
cheers paul

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yer it is mate it looks a good way to do it for me as no rent its yours also not to big just need to learn how to tig now lol

Is the £140 for the bottle refundable if you return it?

i have an 'albee' bottle (80/20 mix for mig welding) i think its a pretty good deal, the refill is a little overpriced, but its not costing you anything if its sat unused for a year. AANNDDD, it comes complete with an awesome regulator with a quick release coupling! saving £40 straight away...

im not sure mate but you could sell it on no problems as above seems spot on deal

[Edited on 5/1/12 by imp paul]

Ive already got regulators so that wouldnt be an issue for me. You can pick them up though for just over 20quid off ebay.
I think the energas route may be best for me as Ive never used a tig before so I'll probably waste loads of gas practicing.

i had a go with some alloy tube lol. omg its not so easy lots to learn. you should only just hear the gas not lots so not to waste it so i was told but hay give it a go and good luck

TIG welding doesn't have to be gas hungry if you are just welding frames and small items, it only uses lots if you are purge welding pipework or have the flow set incorrectly. My advice to anyone wanting to try it is to get a torch that will receive gas lens diffusers rather than the standard collet holder. It gives better gas coverage and therefore cleaner welds. It also uses less gas. Get a good flow meter to go with the regulator and life will be a lot easier. Hope this helps.

quote:

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Originally posted by TAZZMAXX
TIG welding doesn't have to be gas hungry if you are just welding frames and small items, it only uses lots if you are purge welding pipework or have the flow set incorrectly. My advice to anyone wanting to try it is to get a torch that will receive gas lens diffusers rather than the standard collet holder. It gives better gas coverage and therefore cleaner welds. It also uses less gas. Get a good flow meter to go with the regulator and life will be a lot easier. Hope this helps. [/quote.

Cheers mate we need all the help we can get LOL it will take time just hope I get the hang of it on alloy

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fazerruss - 5/1/12 at 09:57 PM

What is a gas lens diffuser? Do the fit to the standard torches. I think mine is a wp17

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imp paul - 5/1/12 at 10:01 PM

It's like the end bit that's pink at the moment but it is see thrue its a type of shroud if that makes sense LOL

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fazerruss - 5/1/12 at 10:19 PM

Ah I know which you mean they are sort of clear glass arent they. But how do they use less gas? I thought they were clear just so you could see the weld easier in confined spaces?

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loggyboy - 5/1/12 at 10:34 PM

Unless your a 'big' welder, i find this is the cheapest way to weld.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_207359_langId_-1_categoryId_255210
My latest bottle (albeit c02) has lasted me about 2 years going on jobs here and there. And I did a whole front end stitch weld, custom brake set up, steering column and arch repair on my Nova with about a bottle and a half.

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TAZZMAXX - 5/1/12 at 11:26 PM

quote:

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Originally posted by imp paul
It's like the end bit that's pink at the moment but it is see thrue its a type of shroud if that makes sense LOL

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Sorry, it's not that. A standard collet holder is a copper sleeve that the collet and tungsten sits in from the torch head. The pink ceramic part is the 'shroud'. A gas lens is a larger collet holder that flows the gas though very fine gauze rather than drilled holes. Instead of a few swirling bursts of gas you get a much finer gas flow over the arc and they employ a larger ceramic. Believe me, once you've used one you won't go back to standard. They do take a bit of getting used to as they are larger but, because of the improved gas delivery/coverage you can extend the tungsten further if you need more visibility.

Another useful tip is for your filler wire. At the end of each weld run, either leave the wire in the gas flow to prevent oxidation or snip the end off before re-starting. This way you will prevent starting a new weld with oxidation. It helps the resuming weld flow better.

I could bore you for hours but I'm sure you have better things to be doing.

By the way, gas lenses should be available for the WP17 head. If not use a WP26 and they will definitely fit.

Happy welding folks.

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/Welding_Consumables/TIG_Standard_Gas_Lens_Consumables_WP17-18-26/Gas_Lens__WP17_18_26_24mm_Std_Body


http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/Welding_Consumables/TIG_Torch_Standard_Consumables_WP17-18-26/Tig_Welder_collet_body_wp18_24

[Edited on 6/1/12 by TAZZMAXX]

[Edited on 6/1/12 by TAZZMAXX]

[Edited on 6/1/12 by TAZZMAXX]

[Edited on 6/1/12 by TAZZMAXX]

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blakep82 - 6/1/12 at 08:48 AM

quote:

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Originally posted by loggyboy
Unless your a 'big' welder, i find this is the cheapest way to weld.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_207359_langId_-1_categoryId_255210
My latest bottle (albeit c02) has lasted me about 2 years going on jobs here and there. And I did a whole front end stitch weld, custom brake set up, steering column and arch repair on my Nova with about a bottle and a half.

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+1, had my welder about 5 or 6 years, got 4 bottles, think 1's empty, the rest are fine (but i use one of the co2's, change for argon, then forget which co2 i used, so they've all been used a bit. i don't do huge amounts of welding now though

the machine mart ones reckon they've got more gas packed in for the same price as halfords ones though

[Edited on 6/1/12 by blakep82]

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