Sourcing Gas for MIG Welder

[Wamsutta]

Don’t pay with cash, obviously…..

There was one time I paid with cash and got the bottle filled for $68 out the door. I was wondering why it was so cheap that day.

 

[no704]

If you’re keeping the same bottle for 2+ years spend a half hour to DA and spray bomb it if you are that worried about it. If you plan on keeping it for that long I would be way more concerned about remembering to close the tank valve. Don’t ask how I know that!

 

[Steve_P]

The tanks on the exchange program are nasty. If you're going to be looking at it everyday, having your own bottle is the way to go.

Fine, but if you go to my LWS, they only swap them out. And local is still 30 minutes away. So buying a new bottle would last me one exchange.

 

[Wamsutta]

Fine, but if you go to my LWS, they only swap them out. And local is still 30 minutes away. So buying a new bottle would last me one exchange.

There's one of those gas suppliers in my hometown too. I don't go there.

 

[Steve_P]

Good god, the amount of hand wringing and fussing over the paint on a cylinder is absolutely WILD here. I can't tell sometimes if it's just trolling or an honest to god mental issue, but I've never seen anything like it anywhere else. Insisting on keeping perfect paint on "your" cylinder will only serve to aggravate the welding supply and cause you nothing but issues. This entire industry is built around the idea of exchanging cylinders so it's easier to maintain cylinder integrity (testing and safety becomes the burden of the LWS instead of the customer) and being able to bulk fill cylinders to be efficient and therefore cheaper. Being a thorn in the side of the supply house will do you no favors. I have owned a welding and fabrication business for many years and dealt with welding gases of all kinds, it behooves you to play the game by the rules the supplier has set down.

OP, go to your LWS (local welding supply) and ask them what the largest cylinder they'll sell you outright is. Buy that one. The bigger your cylinder, the cheaper the gas is per cubic foot. Get 75% co2 25% argon (also called C25) and a spool of .023" or .030" Lincoln Superarc wire. Don't lease a cylinder. Don't buy one from the farm store or amazon or wherever. When you run out of gas, you just swap it out at the LWS and you pay for the gas. Buying from the LWS is about the only way to ensure you won't get the run around when you need to exchange the cylinder. Welding cylinders are expensive because they are extremely dangerous if not made correctly and not maintained, and there's a tremendous cost associated with making and distributing pressure vessels. The good news is they maintain their value pretty well so if you needed to sell them later you can recoup most of your cost.

If they allow you to, set up a charge account with the LWS, even if you just pay at the counter. This usually gets you better pricing, account history, the ability to look up past orders or parts, and usually gets a sales rep attached to your account who you can call with questions or if you need to buy something. The difference in price can be staggering. What costs a joe public customer $150+ costs me $35. Strictly because I have an account. I set up my charge account long before I had a business and I was just working in my garage at home. I had gas and supplies delivered by a sales rep when I was 19 years old welding on my uncles truck at his house.

Good luck.

I can't believe I have to say this here, but this is the answer. Go to your LWS. If you buy a new cylinder somewhere they may immediately swap it out for one that's horribly ugly and give your new one to me next time I go .

My LWS does NOT refill your tank, they swap it out. OP's may be the same. There really doesn't need to be a lot of debate here because your LWS sets the rules.

 

[Wamsutta]

I can't believe I have to say this here, but this is the answer. Go to your LWS. If you buy a new cylinder somewhere they may immediately swap it out for one that's horribly ugly and give your new one to me next time I go.

That's another reason I don't swap my bottle out; somebody would be getting a brand new bottle without paying the money I did. Eff them.

 

[Steve_P]

There's one of those gas suppliers in my hometown too. I don't go there.

And if that was the only one, what would you do?

 

[Wamsutta]

And if that was the only one, what would you do?

I would've bought the bottle from them instead of Amazon. I did some investigating before I bought the bottle.

 

[dr_clyde]

Your situation is much different than most here. You have a commercial shop, you are turning cylinders and have negotiated pricing.
Garage Journal Joe is not likely going to get your pricing for 1 oxygen and 2 C25 a year.

You are dead wrong, at least as it pertains to my experience.

I was 19 years old getting good pricing out of my uncles garage. I had no business. I was a hobby shop just out of high school.

The reason I stick with my LWS all this time was because they treated me well during my time as a hobbyist. When I actually started my business it was a no brainer to keep my business with the LWS that actually treated me like valued customer.

I recently took a day job at a big shop. I’ve taken my shop back to a hobby shop. Guess what? I still have my excellent service and pricing. I might exchange a couple cylinders a year. No change.

I know it’s hard to believe that someone gets good service and pricing as an individual not a business but I’m here to tell you it is a real thing.

 

[Cyclone]

Finally setting up the Vulcan MIG to do mostly body panel work (at least for now). Probably just rust work on two vehicle (maybe grandson will use it).

trying to figure out what's the best type of Gas mixture and where to source a tank. Amazon, local dealers and also what a adequate size tank. The welder will be on a single welder, roll around cart.

I've looked at FBM and CL, most of those used tank offerings look a bit iffy (to me anyway) and they are not giving them away.

Thanks

Finally setting up the Vulcan MIG to do mostly body panel work (at least for now). Probably just rust work on two vehicle (maybe grandson will use it).

trying to figure out what's the best type of Gas mixture and where to source a tank. Amazon, local dealers and also what a adequate size tank. The welder will be on a single welder, roll around cart.

I've looked at FBM and CL, most of those used tank offerings look a bit iffy (to me anyway) and they are not giving them away.

Thanks

Maybe check a box store like Tractor Supply or Home Depot for prices they just swap the tank for a full 1 and if you’re working on the weekends and run out they are usually open late. Tank size just depends on run time should be able to look up size and it will give an estimate on run times.