I just went through the acquisition of a MIG setup. I'd never touched a welding machine before Mid-March. Didn't really know much about welding or fabrication in general, either.
I watched (and still do) a LOT of Youtube (Weld.com, Welding tips and tricks, weld tube, etc.) and picked up pieces of info .... piece by piece. It's a lot to learn.
I decided pretty early that I'd probably buy a new Eastwood MIG box, mostly based on the suggestion of a friend who used a MIG 135 to build a Factory 5 Cobra from scratch.
I looked around on FB Marketplace and CL for a C25 ( 75% CO2, 25% Argon), found what turned about to an old man that piddles in buying and selling used Millermatic welding machines and welding gas bottles. He used to have a fairly decent trailer fab business and still messes around with all the fabrication stuff with a couple of buddies, mostly selling used welders and tanks. I bought a 125 CF C25 tank from him for $225. I asked him where I should take it to get it refilled.... He said to bring it back, he'd swap it out for a full tank for $65. His place is as convenient to me as AirGas, etc., and he's available on the weekends... and he's one of them old guys that isn't too socialable until he's been around you a few minutes, then you can't get away from him and his stories. Good times.
Now I'm wanting a cutting torch setup and I see a decent one is about as much as I paid for my welder.
I have a neighbor that builds race cars for a living around the corner and said he would sell me an Oxy/Ace setup. I've just never asked how much because I don't have the funds for it right now.
Anyway....my suggestion is to look around and find someone local that deals in gas bottles to handle it like what I'm doing.
BTW, the 125 CF tank is about 50% used up and I've been through about 4-5 lbs of 0.030" wire on my machine. I've had the pressure set a little high most of the time (20-24 CFH) because I've been welding outside....I try not to weld in the wind, tho.
