Gas supplier

[Zedn]

Who are people using for their welding gas? I have an account with boc, but my local agent has stopped doing gas. Now I have to travel further I'm starting to think about other options.

[Aussie Mike]

I'm with Air Liquide. However they all pull your pants down on bottle rental. It's a bloody rort.

There was a crowd in NSW I made some enquiries with a while back that let you buy the bottle outright. They don't have an outlet in Vic yet.

specialtygasesptyltd items - Get great deals on items on eBay Stores!

The other option you may want to consider is disposable bottles. My bottle rental is about $150 per year and a refill is about the same. Disposable bottles run about $60 each so you can do the sums on which works out cheaper.

Cheers

[PeterAllen]

What's going on here? I'm on the other side of town and with Coregas, they've told me my local distributor is no longer with them and they would let me know another distributor - that was 3 months ago and I've heard nothing. Coincidence, or is something going on with distribution networks?

[Zedn]

Hi Mike. The mob that sell the bottles are only 30mins away but those bottles are not very big. I use way too much for disposable bottles. I buy my gas in E size bottles and pay about $17 per month. Refill is about $165 from memory.

Peter, I have been hearing for a long time that BOC are losing market share. I heard there is a cheaper company that was started by ex BOC people.

[Ryder]

There was a mob around that sold you your own bottle, so you never paid hire. Theres a link on the woodworking forum Argon Welding Gas Cylinders - Own one and Never pay rent again!!

[Modena]

I was using Supagas for a while as the have a smaller size than BOC and were cheaper anyway, but a while ago I ditched them both, I only weld a tiny bit a couple of times a year so I just get a $40 bottle from Bunnings when I need it.

[Zedn]

Will probably go that option once the car is finished but I still have a lot of alloy and stainless fab to do

[Jaydee]

I went the same way with disposable bottles. If you turn the gas way down low , it should last 1 hr or more. I was renting for a long time. Ripoff. Even if you return the bottle and cancel the contract. And the bottle is near full. They give you nothing for it. I pay $40 dollars a can.
JD

[David Hodgson]

Gasweld tool shops do several sizes that you buy outright and exchange when empty. Sizes go from a mini cyl through the standard D to G sizes.

I think about 250 or 300 bucks for the D.

[Rob. Smith]

Speed Gas ... buy the bottle and no rent..BOC 21 bucks a month just for the bottle ...Super gas rent bottles for 14 bucks a month.
The only downside Speed Gas don't deal with acetelene !
Speed Gas deal through Gasweld

[Zedn]

Thanks guys. I just got another BOC bottle. I use too much gas for disposable bottles and can't turn the pressure down when welding alloy and stainless.

[Aussie Mike]

Just resurrecting an old thread. I'm still renting bottles from Air Liquide but it looks like someone has finally wised up and offered us a decent alternative.

Total Tools is offering a buy your own bottle scheme. E size bottles are $475 each for Argon and Argoshield. Refills are about the $150 mark which is comparable to the big boys. The buy your own bottle come filled so that really means you are only paying about $320 for the bottle. That's less than 2 years rental for me.

They are operating on a swap and go system like your BBQ bottle at Bunnings. They have outlets all over the place and most are open Saturday and some on Sunday too. It's a no brainer for me. Air liquide can shove their bottles.

Cheers

[deano59]

that sounds the way to go mike . im with super gas 15 a month i think it is rental and they drop the bottles to my door so im a bit lazy but i go thru a bottle every couple of months its not cheap to own but a necessity for me . im still ho humming about buying a oxy set up it would come in real handy but do i need the extra expense .
i have a feeling if i ask for more out in the shed the mrs will be asking for a new kitchen lol.

[boxhead]

Holy thread dig from the past Batman.

[DaveW]

I saw this as well last Saturday Mike, and I thought the same, I'm not a big volume user of gas, but regular and so the rental for Argoshield, Oxy, Acetylene really bites.
I'm with you, buy the bottle, and its done and dusted and a fraction of the price after 2 years with just gas cost.
We have a 1300 Ltr LPG bullet at home which I paid $300 for 15 years ago, and $170 to have tested about 5 years ago, its paid for itself 10 fold as the rental is now $300 per year and I also get the choice of who I buy from, not locked in to the renters gas.

[Modena]

Mike what is the test date period, and what happens if you return one that is about to expire? Same as swap and go where its there problem?

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by Modena

Mike what is the test date period, and what happens if you return one that is about to expire? Same as swap and go where its there problem?

I believe it's swap and go so the testing is their responsibility. Must be geared into the price of the bottle.

I'll be handing one of my old bottles back to Air Liquide tomorrow.

Cheers

[Modena]

I think im paying about 35/month for a D and an E, BOC

[Zedn]

Back when I started this thread I got a BOC E size. I've used half and its sat in my garage for over 12 months without being used as I haven't had time to work on my car since the beginning of last year. I still continue to pay the $15 per month bottle rental. I know if I take it back I will need to weld something.

[Jaydee]

I had the same problem paying rent for the occasional use. I have just bought a E bottle from total tools for $339 dollars including the $90 that it will cost to refill it. Now I'm looking for a new mig. Any suggestions. BOC seems to have a nice runabout BOC Magmate 150 amp. for $600. It seems to be the only portable machine that will take a 15 kilo roll. Digital readout, inverter. I'm going to WIA to check one out today.
JD