Got a new welder - question on gas bottle

[EricG]

So I just won an ebay auction for a Hobart Handler 187 Plan to do some sheet metal welding on the 40 I picked up, eventually some additional mild steel fab and other projects. I'm a novice welder, so I need some schooling on the shielding gas bottles. Basic questions like buy vs. rent, what size, how fast do you go through it, etc.
Thanks!

 

[tgreening]

So I just won an ebay auction for a Hobart Handler 187 Plan to do some sheet metal welding on the 40 I picked up, eventually some additional mild steel fab and other projects. I'm a novice welder, so I need some schooling on the shielding gas bottles. Basic questions like buy vs. rent, what size, how fast do you go through it, etc.
Thanks!

Buy the big bottle. I bought one of the smaller ones and found 2 problems. First is it doesn't take long to burn through the smaller tank if you've got a relatively extensive project going on, and 2) it costs as much to fill the small tank as it does to fill the big one.

I say buy because I intend to always have a welder which means I always need a tank. To me it doesn't make sense to pay rent on something forever when I can just buy it outright and be done with it. Your local supplier may or may not sell you a large bottle. Many of them won't, why I don't know, but if that's the case you can try Indiana Oxygen Company on fleaBay.weldingsuppliesatioc

I'm fairly sure they sell the tanks and at a decent price. I've bought from them before and was completely satisfied..

 

[EricG]

Stopped at a local shop on the way home tonight. They want $176 for a 10 year rental on an 80CF tank, and then apparently it has to be filled by them also (for about $10 cheaper then an owned tank).

I can buy one for about $160 to $170 shipped. Looks like a no-brainer.

 

[fj40charles]

I would never lease a cylinder. Many places charge you 6-10 per month for a lease. It adds up quickly and not worth it.

Smallest cylinder I'd consider is 80 CF. You can buy a new one shipped for $148.xx

80 CF of C-25 is good for 4 hours of welding.

80 CF WELDING CYLINDER tank bottle nitrogen argon mixes - eBay (item 350316189455 end time Mar-13-10 18:18:35 PST)

 

[Gappy]

I didn't buy or rent/lease. I pay for a full big bottle at Praxair of 75/25, $23, when it's empty i take it back and exchange. No deposit or anything.

 

[Junk]

Go with 2 smaller ones. That way when 1 runs out you can swap to the other and go to the supplier when needed. Otherwise, with one big one, you'll either fill it before it's empty because you're starting a project, or will run out when you need it most.

 

[bmorefj40]

I'm also fairly new to welding and looking at builidng the obligatory welding kart/table as a next project. My question is about the orientation of the bottle. Can it be mounted horizontally or does it have to remain vertical while in use and during storage?
Thanks,
Nick

 

[kb3gun]

Needs to be mounted vertical.

 

[neufab]

i run two 120 cfm.the, large 200s are nice but get heavy.a gas mix of 75/25 is best, but you can use co2 its cheeper but not as pretty of weld. a slight angle is ok.