Hi all.

Couple of quick questions regarding welding please.

Ive just started welding with a Clarke (90 i think) welder and wondered a couple of things.

The gas bottle that came with it has Co2 on the side, is that what gas it uses? (dont think its a standard bottle).

Also, where could i buy a bigger bottle (only 1ltr on it now) with the attatchment for a clarke welder? As that one ran out way too quick.

Cheers, Fingers

Fast Finger said:

The gas bottle that came with it has Co2 on the side, is that what gas it uses? (dont think its a standard bottle).

Click to expand...

Yep, CO2.

Fast Finger said:

Also, where could i buy a bigger bottle (only 1ltr on it now) with the attatchment for a clarke welder? As that one ran out way too quick.

Click to expand...

Ring the local BOC depot - see if you can rent a bigger bottle.

chaos said:

Yep, CO2.



Ring the local BOC depot - see if you can rent a bigger bottle.

Click to expand...

Cheers,

Dont really want to rent a bottle, as it may get used loads, then left standing for a few months before next time.

can get a bit bigger white ones from boy racer type shops, i get mine from wilco fast fit, not sure if they do them on line www.wilcofastfit.co.uk

Fast Finger said:

Cheers,

Dont really want to rent a bottle, as it may get used loads, then left standing for a few months before next time.

Click to expand...

You'll have to rent a bottle if you want anything much bigger than hand held size. You should be able to return the bottle if you know you're not gonna use the rig for a few months.

chaos said:

You'll have to rent a bottle if you want anything much bigger than hand held size. You should be able to return the bottle if you know you're not gonna use the rig for a few months.

Click to expand...

You can put a deposit down on one (flat one off charge) then just pay for refills, depends on the place really. Thats what i've done, bottles about the size of a divers torpedo oxygen tank - and lasts plenty

I am not telling you to get on good terms with your local pub landlord, and i am not telling you that their co2 bottles will work fine, and are bigger, and if you are really good mates, very cheap (or free).

But if you want to do a lot of welding, then BOC is the way to go. And don't worry about not using it for a while, it won't leak out. And you could also look into getting a co2 / argon mix (often called argoshield). This will give a much better result, its what you are 'meant' to use for mig.

machine marts welding gas won the practical classics feature test, they hold twice as much gas in the same 1L bottle and is an argon co2 mix that is perfect for mobile welders,also cheap! the stuff from pubs works but without the argon its not as good a weld, spits and crackles more, also turn off the little bottle in between welding (if not using it for 10 mins or so i found it lasted longer that way) i bought the conversion kit £25 and take the larger rented bottle from work home at the weekend, if i need it, but still have a spare lil bottle for emergency, i squeezed a lot of welding out of a small bottle, b&q also sell it but not as good and more exspensive, good luck Ant!

BOC and Airproducts both have customer helplines that you can ring and get free advice on with regard to bottled gasses and welding products. I havent got the numbers at hand, they are at work but they will be on the websites. BOC and Airproducts are the main players in this game and both are reluctant to supply certain gasses to non-industrial customers. There are also laws relating to the use and storage of certain bottled gasses at domestic premises.

Does anyone know if a propane cylinder (obviously not filled with propane) would work?