Argon gas for TIG.

Rob. Smith · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 02:33 AM

I don't use much gas when I'm working on fibreglass but now that I'm building a set of headers I've used up my supply for the TIG. So I rang BOC and asked what a 'G' sized bottle would cost. $240 bucks + gst. yaaa urk damn near had a heart attack. Last time I bought some, it was $100 bucks and I didn't like that then. I rang a specialist welder that I know and asked him about the price. He's just retired now but earlier this year he used to get the same bottle for $48 bucks with a trade discount for high turn-over. He doesn't get that now so he's sick too. Strange how you can sell a volume of gas for a tiny price then charge others 80% more plus charge a couple of hundred bucks for bottle rental each time. Nice to have a monopoly. Boc is part of Linde gas companies. Bastards.
Just a venting of the spleen.

Modena · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 03:49 AM

was that inclusive of 12 months rental or something?

when I enquired about a month ago a "D" of argoshield (for MIG, not pure argon) was going to be about $30 in gas plus the $12 odd per month for bottle rental

mickmate · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 04:59 AM

Competition is good for the consumer, they have a monopoly or is there someone else?

Beejay · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 05:12 AM

Rob,

We do a fair bit of welding at work.

Let me see if I can get you a discount.

Ben

Rob. Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modena

was that inclusive of 12 months rental or something?

when I enquired about a month ago a "D" of argoshield (for MIG, not pure argon) was going to be about $30 in gas plus the $12 odd per month for bottle rental

I've forgotten what the rent is as I used my dads account the $144 a year sounds right. But the $240.00 is crippling.

Rob. Smith · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beejay

Rob,

We do a fair bit of welding at work.

Let me see if I can get you a discount.

Ben

THANK YOU for the offer but I don't see how this would work. As I don't use the gas that regularly and I'm so far away. I wouldn't like to compromise your account or reputation in any way.

Rob. Smith · #7 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickmate

Competition is good for the consumer, they have a monopoly or is there someone else?

It seems that way . I googled Industrial gas suppliers in Australia and only got two. One on the east coast and one on the west coast (which is way too far away) so I'm stuck.

Aussie Mike · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 06:17 AM

I run 2x E size bottles. 1 Argon for the TIG and one MIGshield for the MIG. E size are a lot easier to handle than the G size especially if you get an aluminum bottle. Refills run about $140 from memory through Air Liquide. I probably use a couple of bottles per year. The killer is the bottle rental at about $150 each bottle per year. Years ago you could do a 5 year lease for about $250.

I'm contemplating just running the 1 Argon bottle for everything. I've done a bit of testing with the MIG on Argon and it produces acceptable results.

Cheers

LMH · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 07:21 AM

What about using CO2? I know a couple guys here who do that for their MIG's. Is it possible for TIG? Might be a lot cheaper.
Larry

Aussie Mike · #10 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 08:01 AM

For TIG you have to run straight argon. CO2 or MIG Shield (Argon CO2 mix) will contaminate the weld when welding aluminum and I reckon the tungsten electrode wouldn't like it either.

Cheers

Jerry Clayton · #11 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 09:49 AM

Up here you can either buy the bottle outright, get a life time lease(almost same as purchase, except THEY keep up bottle tests and exchange for full bottle) or rent if you are volume user--if big volume, THEY are so happy to have you that they will supply the tanks just fot the gas sales

I usually bargain on purchasing new welding machine to get a bottle tossed into the deal so -------

vector1 · #12 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 12:51 PM

ran across a thread somewhere, guy said he was standing next to 2 regular size bottles of gas, super pure xenon, was $300k ea., bulk price.

Jerry Clayton · #13 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 01:15 PM

There isn't a bottle that is regular sized---they all have letters and hold so many cubic feet of gas

Jerry Clayton · #14 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 01:18 PM

gas prices vary day to day and there are other charges that apply====delivery, hazmat disposal etc

vector1 · #15 (**permalink**) 12-11-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Clayton

There isn't a bottle that is regular sized---they all have letters and hold so many cubic feet of gas

i know that, you know that, but that is irrelevent. the point being the cost of the gas. the information didn't say which size bottle, just "regular", standing next to, expensive.

Jerry Clayton · #16 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 08:47 AM

everything about it is relevent--size of bottle/cubic ft---type of gas---super pure xenon---

but what does that have to do with welding gas?? argon or 75/25 for mig????

all medical gases or other industrial gases are priced according to there uses . you won't get a bottle of medical level gas put into a bottle that was used for welding gas---

stumpeater · #17 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 01:13 AM

Down here in Victoria, we have Supagas, much cheaper rental and gas price, their E size argon actually holds more gas as well. I am in the process of swapping from BOC as the rentals on my other bottles become due.
http://www.supagasnsw.com.au/market.htm Free delivery according to the NSW web page.