Alternative Gas suppliers

[m.thaddeus]

Hello Chaps

The subject of welding gas suppliers comes up from time to time, and lets face it any alternative to BOC has got to be considered.

About a year ago I had a chat with a company called Gas Cylinders UK, who offer a nationwide delivery service and reasonable terms. Basically you pay them a £50 deposit and another £50 for the gas of your choice. Cylinder approximates to the BOC Y size ~ ( Which is what I use and offers the best value/convenience for home use.) When you have used it up, you pay another £50 deposit and the cost of the gas itself. A new bottle is delivered by their own lorries and the old one collected. After inspection and purging of the empty, your original deposit is refunded.

I know of another company, who are based in Portsmouth they will sell you your own bottle and charge for each fill. Fair enough, but it is illegal to send gas by courier and its not that short a drive to Pompey.

One other name which always comes up in discussion is Adams Gas, so I gave them a bell today and introduced myself as being from Practical Classics mag.. This obviously didn't mean anything to the man, so I pointed out that we were the biggest selling classic car mag, to which he said... The reason it doesn't mean anything to me, it that cars don't mean anything to me, so you're barking up the wrong tree sunshine... and with that he hung up!

Tomorrow I will try to purchase some gas from Gas Cylinders UK...... If only they would pick up the damn phone.

[arceye]

Do let us know how you get on, I'm stuck with pub gas (CO2) which does o.k, but the local suppliers who used to let me exchange it direct have gone under, and now the hotel that has been changing my cylinder out of goodness is having to start closing for winter due to lack of trade.....

Damn recession, will be stuck with disposables at this rate being in the back end of nowhere I need a good alternative, but even getting people to send to highlands can be difficult.

[suffolkpete]

I pointed out that we were the biggest selling classic car mag, to which he said... The reason it doesn't mean anything to me, it that cars don't mean anything to me, so you're barking up the wrong tree sunshine... and with that he hung up!

Tomorrow I will try to purchase some gas from Gas Cylinders UK...... If only they would pick up the damn phone.

Some people just deserve to go out of business.

[Young Farmer]

I get my cylinder refilled by a local pop manufacturer for about £9.00. it is pure CO2. Seems to work reasonably well for me , got to have something to blame for the odd blobby welds ! Pub gas now has a percentage of nitrogen in it which will affect your welding.

[arceye]

You can still get straight c02 pub gas, just have to make sure when you pick it up, I think it depends on the type of beer they are intended for but the bottles should be labelled in accordance. The soft drink company we had here shut down so currently little alternative other than on a contract.

[m.thaddeus]

Hello Chaps

Looks like we need to get this sorted out.

I rang Gascylinderuk again, but got not reply. unfortunately I had stuff to do and couln't hang on the phone for long. I got the impression the person who answers the phone ( or not ) is the same person who is dispatching the gas bottles. Which might explain the problem, but there are 65, 000 people who are going to read their name and at least a few of them are going to want gas. I will e-mail them and see if we can get things moving.

Martin

[jimmyybob]

We changed for BOC to gas direct ,half the price of BOC and they deliver any kind of gas you can imagine.

http://www.gas-direct.co.uk/

[sierra3dr]

I'm quite content in using C02 which I get from my local fire extinguisher installers

[m.thaddeus]

And finally.

So I got the full SP from Gas Cylinders UK. They offer a good range of gases at sensible rates. But you do have to factor in the transport costs which do skew the figures somewhat - as they charge more to collect and return an empty than to deliver a full one. ~ So you might have to pay £30 for transport. And your original deposit is not returned immediately.
This is still a good deal and will do very well for a lot of the classic car fraternity. Check out their website.

BUT;
Today I spoke to a company in Portsmouth called MIGTIGARC. They offer a service whereby you pay £111 and take home a bottle of Mig gas, when it is empty you take it back and get another one for under £20. The deal runs for 3 years at the end of which they write to you and ask if wish to continue. If the answer is YES ~you start again. If the answer is NO ~you return the bottle and they give you back £35 which is your original deposit. This is a good solution if you live close enough to take advantage of it. MIGTIGARC is a very nice welding supply shop. They carry a good range of welders and welding consumables. More importantly they staff are hugely knowledgeable and very helpful. Check out their wedsite.

[m.thaddeus]

........And.

Did you know that you can buy an in-line heater to warm up your CO2?

MIGTIGARC can sell you one and a rather clever device which can save your gas by reducing the initial 'whoosh' .

I am putting together an article on how to get the best welding for you money. Any and all contributions welcome.