andy Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Up until a year ago I have had access to a TIG and gas through work but a change of jobs has put an end to that. Im looking to purchase a TIG in the near future. Where abouts do guys using TIG at home get your Argon? Are you using owner bottles or renting? Does renting work out cost effective when using the welder for project work ie every weekend? Also does anyone have experience with either of these units? http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/wel ... c-185.html http://www.esseti.co.nz/xatig180p-inver ... -p-93.html Ive used older more basic models by both brands in the past and both seemed alright. These are around the $1200 mark. There are also AC/DC Jasic machines on TM for just under a grand. Anyone got one? Cheers. Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 You don't have a choice AFAIK. You must rent. A D size bottle is around $180 per year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 You don't have a choice AFAIK. You must rent.A D size bottle is around $180 per year. Theres a place here in AK offering bottles and fills for around $480ish? They apparently do fills too. What does AFAIK mean??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 As far as I know...... which clearly isn't enough if you have already found someone to sell the bottles and keep them filled. You would just want to be certain that this business stayed in business Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 As far as I know...... which clearly isn't enough if you have already found someone to sell the bottles and keep them filled. You would just want to be certain that this business stayed in business good point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I have a bottle that is apparently an owner bottle, but from what I have heard BOC is being a bunch of homos and is trying to claim back owner bottles. What's the deal with this? I need a fill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteretep Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I understand that supagas can fill owner bottles with stuff other than CO2 and they are located in south auckland, but my CO2 bottle hasnt run out yet so I have not properly looked into it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorburnville Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I've got one of the cheap trademe tigs. It is the older model of this http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farmi ... 567624.htm Only problems I have with it is the HF sometimes refuses to arc at anything further then a mm or less away from the metal. The argon hose was junk bin material. The pre flow and after can't be backed right off. The manual is in chinglish. All in all I still think it is a good product for the money. The price for the end of year stock last year was $900. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R3spct Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 You can take any good condition bottle, including a Boc i think, to supergas in manukau, they send them to hams and get them filled and sent back. You might need to ring and check on this, as i heard BOC was getting grumpy about peeps doing this as there are some owner bottles of theirs out there and they dont like supergas filling them as they want them back so they can rent them to ya. I used to have a BOC bottle for argon, was way cheaper to fill, but $30 a month rental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gto1973 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 i have used older model xa tig and it was good orange in colour. my mate has the tall version of the welder above and i used it to weld up his stockcar manifold worked fine i have never used a smootharc welder before. the xa had a better dutycycle than my kempi.i have an xa mig at home and if i had the money would be at tradezone buying 1 of there tigs lol i have boc gas only cos its from my old place of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTheCreator Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 have heard that shit about boc heaps, there trying to microsoft the gas industry, wankers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 You can take any good condition bottle, including a Boc i think, to supergas in manukau, they send them to hams and get them filled and sent back.You might need to ring and check on this, as i heard BOC was getting grumpy about peeps doing this as there are some owner bottles of theirs out there and they dont like supergas filling them as they want them back so they can rent them to ya. I used to have a BOC bottle for argon, was way cheaper to fill, but $30 a month rental. Any idea on where in hams they send them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rookie Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 You have to be careful though if you plan on using a fire extinguisher as a gas bottle, I have just been refused a fill by supagas because it is painted red not grey? or something, it would have been cheap though about $80 for 5 m3 of argoshield, I just took the bottle into the local tradezone store and they send it away to supagas. I got the people that check the extinguishers at work to fill it with co2 so not really a problem. This is for mig though, but just sharing my supagas experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I own my CO2 cylinder and reckon it's the cheaper way to do it. Not sure what an Argon cylinder is worth though. I've had it 2 years and paid no rental, makes sense to me. CO2 cylinders seem to be oodles cheaper than argon ones though on trademe. Can't see anything 2nd hand and new is spendy as (argon). I'd give the likes of supergas a call and see what they can source cylinder wise. Just had mine filled this week and asked about pricing. They are around the $500 mark filled with CO2 for 6.8kg. Don't get them in often though. They said the only gases they can't put in my cylinder are oxygen and LPG. Gas change would require fitting of a new valve though. So PERHAPS you could get a CO2 cylinder and get the valve changed to suit argon. Worth asking anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 cheers. I will have an ask around. I recently sold an oxy cylinder (out of test but mint) as I was told they couldnt be converted too argon. Would be gutted if I could have converted it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adoom Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I used to have a BOC bottle for argon, was way cheaper to fill, but $30 a month rental. How big was your bottle? I have 3 'D' size bottles(MIG and oxy) rented from BOC in Petone. It's about $15 each per month. It does add up if you are not using it often and you have more than one bottle. Cost me $90 to fill up my Argoshield a month ago As far as I know, you have no choice in Wellington area, you have to rent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin' joe Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 i'm sure it has been mentioned before on this forum...................... AIR LIQUIDE for all gas needs. $120/PA for rental, $80 to fill Argon, about $65 Argonsheild in D sized bottles. they should be in most towns, as most pubs/ restaurants get their gas from them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 Cheers. I will give them a call. $200 sounds good to get started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 Dropped into Air Liquide in Penrose today. They gave me a list of their distributors around Auckland. Air Liquide themselves, only deal with accounts using more than 5 bottles. Small users use the following- East Tamaki. Welding Technology 09 274 1246 North Shore. Wairau Engineering Supplies 09 478 4520 Manukau. Steel South Auckland 09 263 5806 Papakura. Tool and Engineering Warehouse 09 296 2227 Penrose. Weldwell 09 579 2729 Pukekohe. The Tractor Centre 09238 7179 They have 2, 4.5 and 10 cube bottles. Hire for 3 months on the 2cube is $50 and $70 on the others. 12 months $125 on the 2 and $160 and $170 on the others. Argon gas fills are $86, $150 and $230 and are available ex-stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sentra Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 its a pain in the bum waiting for fills. i sent my oxy/acy to supergas 13 days ago, its a 14 day turn around, sure could have used it today! but they are easy to deal with, make sure you speak to someone in advance there who knows whats up if your dealing with boc cylinders, (while i was at the counter with the guy there saying "yes" and accepting them for filling, i got an email from a rep saying "no they cant".) imagine its a week for argon/argosheild, which is usually about 6 days too late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.