Alternative Gas suppliers

[mahone]

There's a company called Hobbyweld advertising a rent-free gas service in the back of the current PC too. Anyone tried them?

[arceye]

I just had a look at the hobbyweld site and it doesn't look too bad, quite a few stockist anyway. There is a stockist over on the Orkneys just accross the water but cost of boat is prohibitive, and one in Inverness which is 120 mile away but the biggest town up here so I could tie in collection with some other errand / day out.

Anyway, I sent the stockist an email asking for prices, terms, bottle deposit etc so if they get back to me I'll post them on here.

[arceye]

Just had an email from the Hobbyweld stockist, I think I might give them a go. If you look on the website they do deliver but if picking up in person the costs for a basic mig mix suitable for car body etc are... £74.99 + VAT for the first bottle, and £24.99 + VAT thereafter when exchanging an empty for full.

Bottle size and contents seem comparable to the BOC Food gas I've had of late and not much pricier than I've been paying, availability and consistency I imagine would be good, though obviously I have a fair round trip to get it if I pick up in person, I'd imagine for a lot of you there would be a stockist nearer home. They also do other mixes to go with TIG and pure Argon but obviously at different prices.

[TerryG]

Probably a daft question but why is there a special gas for TIG?

[arceye]

I don't think its specifically for Tig, but will do for MIG and TIG where a more basic Co2 mix isn't really suitable, in the same way you need a higher to pure Argon mix for other types of metals such as Aluminium. I think thats right anyway, I don't think the Co2 is suitable for TIG work in general, but as most of my trade was done with stick and I only really use MIG with regard to cars and I'm a little sketchy on some of the finer points.

If I got any of that wrong I'm sure I will be enlightened

[kevanf1]

If you happen to live in the West Midlands/Staffordshire area then just look up your local Jawel paint stockist. They do welding gas in various mixes. The last time I enquired (not too long ago) it was £50 to buy a bottle then £50 to fill it each time. I am not sure if the initial £50 purchase is for a full bottle but I doubt it. Anyway, you do have to pick up the bottle yourself but that's not too bad if you live in the area.

I know they have a shop in Wolverhampton and I think one in Halesowen. There are others but I don't know exactly where. Just Google Jawel and it will bring up their website.

[m.thaddeus]

Thank you for all the info, I will try to put it all together for an article on value for money in welding.

The question of what is Tig gas is usually answered as 'Pure Argon' Though many people will tell you that they get by using Argon Co2 mix.


And for the record, the Mig gas we picked up from MigTigArc is very nice, Ed says that it gives smoother welds which are 'shinier' . Shiny welds is always a good sign.

[arceye]

Will look forward to the article, I managed to get to Inverness today to pick up some Hobbyweld 5. 120 miles to Inverness at 40 mph most of the way behind two bloody ignorant artics travelling in convoy who wouldn't pull in to one of the many laybyes

Anyway, the stockist was MacGregors Industrial supplies if it helps anyone up this way (they also have an auto refinishing supplies unit next door), very helpful and for £75 + VAT I walked out with a new bottle of proper welding gas, future exchanges are 24.99 + VAT.

Not tried it yet but I'm expecting it to be good stuff as its a mix of 93% ARGON / 5% Co2 / & 2% OXYGEN which is the same as Argoshield Light by BOC, the oxygen is supposed to make for an even smoother weld.

Will hopefully get to try it tomorrow evening, fed up with spattery pure Co2 and hopefully it will make up a little for the SIPs poop wire feed

[suffolkpete]

Unfortunately Hobbyweld have no stockists in East Anglia and the cost of carriage is prohibitive. In spite of Martin's experience, Adamsgas look more promising, with a stockist at Colchester.

[arceye]

I think for everyone it's going to be a case of which stockist is convenient, as long as the prices are comparable and we are getting a proper welding mix of argon etc I think its well worth making the change over to these alternative suppliers.

I'ts a massive saving on disposables, and for people using co2 they really should notice the difference when welding with "proper" stuff, I know whenever I get a chance to use Argon mixes it really does seem to make for smoother, neater and easier welding, alternative suppliers being limited in the past it never used to bother me, but with the options now available it must be the way to go. For those of us currently using food or drink gas bottles it might be just a little more expensive to go the official route but not by much, consistency of supply and a better quality product should easily make up for this.