| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Toffer |
Cost of gas cylinders adviceI'm just getting myself kitted out with a gas welding setup after doing a course at the local college, I think I've got a good deal on the kit so the next stage is the gasses, anyone give me an idea what a good price for porta-pac size oxy and acetylene is? |
| maryf |
We, or strictly speaking the OH, go to BOC, there's a branch not too far away. I can't remember the last price we paid but look at www.boc.com You do have to actually set up an account with them now - something to do with that elfin safety. |
| gil |
Also helps with cost, ISTR, because you can get the deposit back on cylinders you return. |
| Brownbear |
With BOC you rent the cylinders, either by the year or month. The Y size is the most economical as a rule.
Why gas welding, by the way? Pretty much everyone has given up on that now. Is it for a special project that requires it, or do you just enjoy welding with gas? I've got hoses, regs and a torch that I barely ever use any more. In fact, they'll almost certainly end up on Ebay before long. |
| Toffer |
We had a go with all three on the course and I just found gas the easiest to get along with, almost therapeutic in a way. I also already had an arc welder but need to be able to do work with thinner stuff too so had a choice of getting mig or gas, I understand mig is more efficient but I just got on with gas well and I like the idea of being able to do work out of electrical range without having to mess about with generators etc.
It's one of our plans when we get a place to do courses on basic skills and hopefully I'll have developed my own enough by then to do a morning on basic welding so will probably be on the lookout for some extra equipment nearer the time. |
| RichardW |
If you can gas weld you will almost certainly be able to TIG weld.
But the up side to having a gas set up is you can also do cutting & heating up of stuff. Personally I just mig stuff cos its cheap, quick, easy, does most jobs. BOC have a special offer on at the min on MIG gas (£60 for the gas & years rental & refills at £25 with no handling charge). |
| Toffer |
To be honest, I probably should have done the course before buying the arc welder but benefit of hindsight and all that.. |
| RichardW |
Nah arcs good for stuff like
welding dissimilar metals as the rods will be cheaper than a real of wire & a diff shield gas. gouging when your outside & its windy putting down a lot of metal in a short time |
| Toffer |
What's gouging? |
| RichardW |
Cutting or removing metal with an arc using a gouging rod.
Often used on thick steel to chase down a crack so it can be welded to the full crack depth. This pic show air arc gouging but yoiu can get gouging rods that dont need air. 
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