How long do the small bottles that come from B&Q, machine mart etc last?

What is the bottle/wire roll ratio like?

Is it worth hiring a big bottle from BOC/Air Supplies??

depends on what u r welding, i used these on my small hobby welder and they last a good time, but i could turn them right down as it wasnt breezy in my garage.

if your going to b welding up large amounts u need large welder anyway as the small ones overheat and turn off (the reason i bought a huge one~). But i still use the small one for the odd small job.

ps, keep the bottle turned off when u dont use it, mine had the smallest leak and after leaving it on over night it was empty in the morning. what a waste.

I gave up with the small bottles and started using flux coated wire, it works out cheaper than buying disposables (as long as you buy it in 5kg rolls!) and less hassle (1 big roll has welded my full chassis)
But if determined to use gas I would go for the full size bottle from BOC or Airprod

Cheers

Alex

Have a look for Energas as well, they are cheaper on refills than BOC and Air Products.

Air Products do bottles with built in regulator you get a plug in connector with a set flow rate I went for 11 lpm and am coming to the end of my third big bottle on m,y chassis, I have done a lot of other welding and re doings though.

Caber