I made a few calls today and it seems that low level use it is better to use Hobbyweld for cost.
Still not sure though as pressures seem to be lower and the more refills you need the more it sways back to BOC. I think I will keep my BOC account for Argoshield for the moment as I have 2/4rd cylinder left and pay the annual rental (hobbywelder BOC account so about half normal cost) and get a hobbyweld cylinder for the TIG. I'll then see how long a cylinder lasts and work out from there how often I will need one and either stay with Hobbyweld or get one from BOC and hand the hobbyweld back.
I have a couple of weeks before I have time to do anything with it anyway so not in a massive hurry at the mo.
I use a local supplier, no rental/contract, just a deposit on the bottle and refill charges. We seem to still pay more down here in hte home counties than my mate with a similar setup oop-norf. :(
 
I use Albee. They worked out slightly cheaper than my local supplier.
Might be worth what the prices are like for you?
 
I made a few calls today and it seems that low level use it is better to use Hobbyweld for cost.
Still not sure though as pressures seem to be lower and the more refills you need the more it sways back to BOC. I think I will keep my BOC account for Argoshield for the moment as I have 2/4rd cylinder left and pay the annual rental (hobbywelder BOC account so about half normal cost) and get a hobbyweld cylinder for the TIG. I'll then see how long a cylinder lasts and work out from there how often I will need one and either stay with Hobbyweld or get one from BOC and hand the hobbyweld back.
I have a couple of weeks before I have time to do anything with it anyway so not in a massive hurry at the mo.


Last hobbyweld bottle of type 15 gas, 20kg bottle gas pressure 230 bar, latest bottle 210bar.
 
I use a local supplier, no rental/contract, just a deposit on the bottle and refill charges. We seem to still pay more down here in hte home counties than my mate with a similar setup oop-norf. :(

Thats the same set up as hobbyweld.
 
The prices I got today for a 20L of Argon were £96.07 for the gas and £110 deposit of which £20 is retained if you hand back the bottle, I forgot to ask whether this was inc or exc VAT.
 
The prices I got today for a 20L of Argon were £96.07 for the gas and £110 deposit of which £20 is retained if you hand back the bottle, I forgot to ask whether this was inc or exc VAT.

82 quid all in for the type 15 gas in 20 litre bottle.
Think deposit was 170 quid, but they say you do get the lot back when bottle returned.
 
Hobbyweld retain about 20% of the deposit, you don't get it all back. The gas prices you quote are about the same as I got today for Argoshield Universal for MIG from the local Hobbyweld supplier, they are a bit less than the pure argon required for TIG
 
R-tech AC/DC 210A DIGITAL - TIG 210EXT

I've had mine for a few years now - it is an excellent machine - the only thing which I don't like is the fan NOISE - it is, IMHO ridiculous....

Fine welderizer though ;).

I use Energas for my, er, gas o_O .
 
Hobbyweld retain about 20% of the deposit, you don't get it all back. The gas prices you quote are about the same as I got today for Argoshield Universal for MIG from the local Hobbyweld supplier, they are a bit less than the pure argon required for TIG

Just goes to show I should have listened to what the guy was telling me!
 
I've had mine for a few years now - it is an excellent machine - the only thing which I don't like is the fan NOISE - it is, IMHO ridiculous....

Fine welderizer though ;).

I've not fitted the plug yet:oops:

also, slight industrial-deafness after ~30 years of LOUD so probably won't notice:D

unsure how I've managed to resist, must have grown up or summint:eek:

also, signed up with Tanasio for Argon (20L cylinder), had a bit of a deal that's worked out cheaper than hobbyweld over the year:cool:

gonna collect the cylinder @ beginning of month to save a few quid :)

was it worth it as I've now got to wait - no playtime unless I use the Argoshield on my mig:(

Rich.
 
I will sort out gas later this month when I have time. Since I can't get out to the workshop I have been looking for a reasonable quality hydraulic press, the littel cheapo 6t bench mounted one I had really struggled with the Peugeot wheel bearings on her car last week. The whole thing bent and twisted even freezing and heating the various parts putting the new ones back in. (getting them out was a bit difficult too and didn't do the press much good)
Anyway looking around I am going to buy a floor mounted one and preferably one with a gauge and a ram rather than a jack. While I don't need an industrial on I also want to avoid something flimsy like my present one.
Thinking of this 20 Tonne Hydraulic Press For Workshop & Garage Use (sgs-engineering.com) as a reasonable price and reasonable quality but open to suggestions on anything better. There are a few others but stock seems to be a problem at the moment.
Any body got suggestions on decent kit, preferably at or under this price?
I need to do mall my wheel bearings soon on the Landy so may as well buy something when I have a job coming up that a new one will make easier.
 
Having been a customer with BOC for over 30 years I have gradually reduced my contracts with them as they are a ripoff for hobby use . only thing I have left is my oxy acetylene but thats changing when the next fill is due . BOC have a crap supply base where I am and I have experienced half empty bottles and really pretty **** poor customer service . Im pretty much al lhobby weld gas now and find that the cylinders I get from them are always at a higher pressure than BOC and the bottle seems to last longer .Of course that all depends on the volume of weld..

Remember that BOC rental is non refundable and annual, Hobby weld is a one off refundable payment .. With BOC you then have handling charges, missed payment charges, ,environmental charges and regular price increases ..

For the stuff required on these old land rovers the gas flow doesnt have to be particularly high ,I set my mig with just a light puff It welds great and last for ages .Same with the TIG, were not welding pipeline stuff worth millions so gas flow isnt really that critical as long as you have some shielding things will be fine .. the gas is expensive so dont waste it when you dont need to..

I still like gas welding, just fitted a roof skin to a modelA hot rod , made the panel fit good, tacked it every couple of inches and welded it in one continuous weld , before giving the entire weld a good plannish with the hammer and dolly.. No grinding and no filler required :)
P1280229.JPG
P1280230.JPG
P1280240 (1).JPG
 
I recategorise the skill and say dont rush it , take your time its not a race . and strangely enough things happen quicker and neater . I taught myself like most of the folk in here .If you want it youll find it :) I dont have finesse like the pics you see of shiny metal finnished hand made bodies , now thats skill ... and a lot more time :)
 
I went to order the 20T press tonight, it said free postage which we never get here, however I balked at £144 extra:eek:
Back to square 1 to order one now as this makes it not only too expensive for my budget but also ****es me off mightily!:mad:
 
If you want to get it delivered to me Im down in Forfar we escape the Highland post code , have a drive down and at the weekend and collect it , might keep you within budget :)
 
I went to order the 20T press

you'se got the equipment, look at the photo's & draw a plan then make one to suit your needs?

it's mostly channel-section steel & 16mm bolts? (20mm bolts if you want?)
hydraulics are cheap,.....



be adventurous:p

Rich.
 
Don't have the time unfortunately.:(
Not to make it but to run around all the various places to gather up the bits. I can easily get them posted but then I run into the issue of cost again, anything long and heavy like channel costs an arm and a leg to get here.
 
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If you want to get it delivered to me Im down in Forfar we escape the Highland post code , have a drive down and at the weekend and collect it , might keep you within budget :)
Thanks for the offer but even you are a 5-6 hours return trip from here. I have had a reply back from them blaming the couriers but having worked out a few ways of getting it delivered to family in Glasgow to pick up next time I visit have just found it comes in one piece on delivery so mother, who is nearly 80, won't be able to put it in the shed or lift it up the stairs for safekeeping.
She can't leave it outside either as she lives in Renfrew and it would vanish overnight no matter how heavy it is!
I've pretty much decided for the budget that this is the best one available but still reluctant to spend 1/3 of its actual just getting it here!
 

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