Welding gas

[pottersrebel]

Anyone know off a decent welding gas supplier around stoke on trent? or what size bottle to buy i currently use the small bottles from machine mart but they dont last very long when you have alot of welding to do. i dont want one of them huge bottles just something that will last i use a clarke 135 mig welder ( i think )

[Markd89]

do you know anyone who has a pub ? i get all my gas bottles for free :)

[pottersrebel]

No mate i dont, ive been told about pub gas before, ill have start going my local lol

[John]

Pub gas is crap imo. don't bother if you wanna do decent welds. I forget who
I have mine off, will find out for you.

[16v Nova Kev]

Pub gas is fine IMO

[_Jake]

whats in pub gas? for any hope of getting decent welds on ms you want argon with 20% co2, just get a bottle of argosheild universal from BOC

[16v Nova Kev]

Just co2. I have tried both and don't think Argon mix is any better.

[Mieran]

http://www.hobbyweld.co.uk/default.php?page=1

[Lewis.]

BOC is a massive rip off, for an X size bottle (about 3ft tall) you pay £7.70 a month, and £36 a refill for argoshield universal/light, and a few quid more for argoshield heavy. which is why I gave my bottle up. Gas direct is where it's at, no monthly rental, and cheaper refills.

Whichever supplier you choose, get a argon/CO2 mix. Pure CO2 isn't effective enough as a gas shroud. Avoid pub gas like you'd avoid a lepper. It's just CO2, but isn't as dry as welding CO2 (because it's for drinks), so the moisture content produces porous welds.

[John]

BOC is a massive rip off, for an X size bottle (about 3ft tall) you pay £7.70 a month, and £36 a refill for argoshield universal/light, and a few quid more for argoshield heavy. which is why I gave my bottle up. Gas direct is where it's at, no monthly rental, and cheaper refills.

Whichever supplier you choose, get a argon/CO2 mix. Pure CO2 isn't effective enough as a gas shroud. Avoid pub gas like you'd avoid a lepper. It's just CO2, but isn't as dry as welding CO2 (because it's for drinks), so the moisture content produces porous welds.

Best advice on this thread so far! Mine is through energas iirc.

[pottersrebel]

cheers for all the replies guys appreciated, ive been told about a place near me that does a bottle for £30 ( i keep the bottle, no deposit or rental ) and £25 a refil for the co2/argon mix so im going try them as i pass them on my way work.
I just need figure out what regulator ill need now as i assume the one that came with the welder will be no use.