disposable argon bottles - welding

[astra216]

does anyone know how long those small disposable argon bottles last ?

like this :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Argon-Pure-Disposable-Welding-Mig-Gas-Bottle-Welders-1369-60-L-Litre-/190673422548?hash=item2c650588d4:m:mau-0ECOSqpGQIqYSq5whCQ

[easytrans]

Never used them but I think Adams Gas is far better value though there is a small "one-of" outlay for the bottle deposit .... but returned if/when you take it back.

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/product/hobby-gas-rent-free-pure-argon-gas-9l-137bar-refill-only/

I have one on the go and another spare ....

There is supplier fairly local to me (20 mins away) but they also post if you don't have a local supplier.

As I said I have a bottle that's been in use for the past 8 months and though I use the welder quite a but using the gas wisely (not wound up too much) it lasts for ages and this one is still only ~50% used.

IHTH

Laurie.

[Steve Heley]

I also keep a spare little bottle like that along with the bigger one.. In fairness you can get a good amount of time out of them. I found the main problem with them not lasting was they leak. After you have finished, remove the regulator and press the valve quickly with a screwdriver to make sure it seals, bit like a inner tube valve, if that makes sense?

[astra216]

i know the massive cylinders are much better value, but i only have space in my gear for a couple tiny ones.

looking into getting a tig, and wanted to know if they were acceptable.

even if it was just 30 mins of gas output, would be enough time to get a few patches done.

good tip about the valve steve, ill look out for that.
maybe fit some sort of stopcock, between the tank, to seal it shut after use.

do i need a seperate flashback arrestor for this stuff ? or will the tig machine have on built in ? ... dont know much about argon

[easytrans]

Argon/Argoshield is an INERT gas, Flashback arrestor is usually used on flammable or explosive gasses so when you get a blow back (a pop that can ignite the gas back down the pipes in Oxy-Acetylene kits for instance) the ignited gas cannot travel back to the source cylinder .... very nasty if an acetylene bottle ignites internal!

So no an arrestor is not needed. You mention "massive cylinders" the Adams are not huge they are just under a meter high and < 8" in diameter and I think as they are air gas can be used laying down (but don't quote me on that).

For TIG you will likely need pure Argon rather than Argon/Nitrogen mix (usually known as Argoshield). Again I don't have a TIG though I have always fancied one probably a bit late for that now and not sure I'd justify the need for a dedicated TIG.

Laurie.

[astra216]

i should know this stuff, lol, but i dont.

thanks for filling me in.

[DarrenH]

the bottle in the original link, just like halfords and machine mart sell, if you set the regulator up for average in door welding (say 8-10 lpm) it will empty it in 6 minutes continuous welding. at face value you might think its a straight relationship of 60 litres divided by 10 litres per minute, but its just a coincidence because the bottle size is a litre.

adams gas 9 litre 137 bar will last 2 hours continuous welding, and only costs 3 times as much as a disposable (to refill)

p.s agree with the others, use argon CO2 mix for mild steel, get better results

[astra216]

only 6 mins, wow, thats useless. works out £2 a minute almost.

big-boy tank is needed in that case then i think !

dont have the room, but ill have to make some in that case

[DarrenH]

gives you an idea of the sizes, bottom pic is adamsgas 9 litre bottle

[astra216]

looks like that welder can do handbrake turns

[RallyMarshal]

sgs gases do a very similar thing too.

Its something like £60 for the bottle initially and £50 or so per fill-up. I cant remember if I have the 20 or 30 litre bottle. One of my local auto supplies stores delivers / collects the old one for free.

http://www.sgsgases.co.uk/

Paul..