just bought a mig welder

[Drew SS]

as it goes i got a new mig welder its a sig mig matic turbo 150 runs on gas only was cheap so couldnt really pass it up but but i should have done a little research on it..what i want to no if anybody knows what the story with gas bottles in this part of the world rent/ buy..or would a gassless mig have been better...

[stevieturbo]

Ideally youll use argoshield light, which BOC can supply ( In the North anyway...dont know about teh South )

Here you pay a yearly rental, and pay for each fill.

The other option is using CO2, which I think is easier to get filled without contract, and likewise you may not need to obtain a bottle via contract.

[Drew SS]

ahh cheers stevie just looked up boc are down here so will call them tomorrow

Edited by Drew SS on Wednesday 15th July 23:03

[wilsog]

visit your local brewery supplies (or friendly land lord) for co2, Cant remember how much a bottle was but lasts quite a long time. Also very important is to keep your wire dry, it rusts quite easily (if its steel) and makes welding a little inconsistant. just my two penneth.

[stevieturbo]

Modern MIG wire is coated. Ive never had issue with it rusting.

And stainless wire costs a bomb these days !!

Rental for the big fat bottle ( circa 1.2m tall ) is teh guts of £100 a year, and similar for a fill. but it will last a very long time.

Its thinner counterpart is a little cheaper...but not a huge amount.

The bottle is rented, although you'll need to buy your own regulator etc.

[eliot]

I run my mig on C02 - its a little pub sized one and its lasted years. There's a guy who sells them (all all manner of welding supplies) at the kit car shows. I heard (could be urban rumor) that pubgas bottles are no go for welding anymore - they did something to the gas.
Paying out rental on bottles is a pain - just had my Argon rental come in - £96 for the year.

So remember folks: When getting your 'mate' to weld something up for you - always drop them a drink, because they are having to fork out money on cylinder rental.

[TerryS]

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php

[zx6r]

you can get mig wire with a flux coating so you dont need gas at all

[GreenV8S]

If you aren't going to use it much you can also get little disposable gas cylinders. The gas works out a lot more expensive but you save the rental costs.

[Black VXR]

Flux coated wire costs a lot more when you buy it, but thats the way I decided to go. I guess it depends upon what you want to weld and what finish you want. A good angle grinder is also a must...

[Drew SS]

yeah thought about gassless wire dont think it wotks on mine sorted a bottle out 120 euro a year so not too bad