Novice welder seeks advice on mig welding supplies. (Salisbury area)

Best source of Argon/CO2 gas mix? How long do the disposible bottles last? Is it worth renting a big bottle? Are there any other gas options?

Had a go with the welder last night with the 'NO GAS' wire it came with. I was rubbish! It was like a Roman Candle, sparks and splatter everywhere!!! Is gas welding any easier/cleaner?

make sure you have the polarity right for the no gas welding, its reversed from gas welding

I also tried with the gasless wire and was very dissapointed. then changed to gas and got some good welds after a couple of hours practice.
Do a search on here for some usefull info on gas choice.

Gasless can produce some fairly decent welds all it needs is a quick wire brush after a run.
I find it produces less spatter than straight CO2 --- although nothing like as clean as argon or mixed gas.

Thanks for the advice.

Definately rent a big bottle.
I went through three disposable ones just tacking some of the chassis.
Pat...

Ive ended up renting from a Boc agent you are looking at £80 to set it up...

I can also give you the number of a firm that refill on exchange of the pub style bottles for about £15.. but its in Sleaford Lincolnshire...

Having tried all 3 my weldings getting better now im using the argon shield....

I remember speaking to a local engineering firm boss, who said that most occassional gas users loose most of their gas through leaks, rather than through welding.

He insists that his employees regularly 'soap test' the connections around the bottle and always close the main valve during breaks in welding. This is something i have taken on board and i always close the valve immediately i have finished a section of welding.

Maybe not directly relevant to this topic, but i thought it was worth mentioning - probably obvious to everyone else anyway!

Argoshield (95% Arg / 5% Co2) is best for general work, and you have to rent the bottle (BOC or other Companys) expensive way if you dont weld a lot. But gives the very best results.
Worth it if you have a lot to do, and probably worth it just to rent for a couple of years whilst you build the chassis etc.

Co2 / pub Co2. Good results and cheap. but not as good as Argoshield. Co2 is a colder gas, so you need to use slightly higher current settings than with Argoshield.

Watch some pub gas bottles have a CO2 mixes (eg nitrogen + Co2), and are unsuitable for Welding.

I have a bought a Co2 bottle from Wilco motorist stores, (pub size) Buy for £40, and £19 refill. great if you dont do a lot of welding. expensive refill @ £19 as refill should be about £7-£10 (Boc or Pub supplied), but NO RENTAL.

Friendly landlord is best supply if you can get one to sort you a bottle.

Thats my 2d worth.

Again thanks for the advice. I've managed to source a pub bottle now, so I'll be using CO2, I might try to get it filled with Argoshield in the future though.