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Argon Bottle Size

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by blue75, Feb 19, 2006.

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  1. Feb 19, 2006
    blue75

    blue75 New Member

    Tupelo, MS
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    Nov 2, 2005
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    What size Argon/CO2 bottles do you guys have on your 110 welders? I got the smallest bottle at TSC for $90 I think and it is already out after a week. I haven't welded hardly anything. I had the regulator set on around 1 CFH, and I don't have any leaks. I'm thinking I should have went with the bigger bottle!
     
    blue75, Feb 19, 2006
    #1
  2. Feb 19, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    I have the small bottle too - I always turn off the valve when done, but have been wondering if I had a leak as well. I can't fit any bigger bottles where the welder gets stored so just put up with it.

    I also wondered if ambient temp would affect the gauge reading.

    How much welding have you been doing?
     
    Boyink, Feb 19, 2006
    #2
  3. Feb 19, 2006
    Old Bill

    Old Bill Aggressively passive....

    Really Southern...
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    Nov 12, 2004
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    Stupid question, but did you close the valve when you were done? If I forget to do that, I'm out the next time I need it.....

    I don't remember what size bottle I have, but it's about 28" or so tall, mebbe a bit taller....
     
    Old Bill, Feb 19, 2006
    #3
  4. Feb 19, 2006
    blue75

    blue75 New Member

    Tupelo, MS
    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2005
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    Yeah, I always turn off the valve when done. The only welding i've done is plugging some small holes on the body of my jeep and I built a welding cart for the welder. I just figured that the bottle would be good for at least a few hours of welding.
     
    blue75, Feb 19, 2006
    #4
  5. Feb 19, 2006
    tomcam

    tomcam Member

    Savannah Tn.
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    Jul 31, 2005
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    89
    At work I have a 110 hobart with the small bottle It's allways out when i need it At home i have a miller 210 (LOVE IT) on it i have the biggest
    I could get 5ft tall. I live 16 miles from town and the welding supply shop is closed on saturday.
     
    tomcam, Feb 19, 2006
    #5
  6. Feb 19, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    No - IIRC the guy where I buy gas said maybe 20 - 25 minutes of solid welding.
     
    Boyink, Feb 19, 2006
    #6
  7. Feb 19, 2006
    Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    Atascadero, Ca.
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2005
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    512
    Hmmmm.... I've been using a 20lb co2 bottle and it lasts quite a while. I can ussually do 3-4 months of solid weekend projects requiring a lot of welding with no problem.

    As has been mentioned I am religious in turning that valve off, even if I'll be using it again in the next 1/2 hour.

    Kevo
     
    Ghetto Fab., Feb 19, 2006
    #7
  8. Feb 20, 2006
    Gixx

    Gixx Member

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2005
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    I've got one about 4' tall (60cu ft ? I think) It lasts for quite a while IF I remember to close the valve on top of the tank. The regulator apparently lets it leak out. I've welded quite a bit on one tank. (Multiple patch panels, skid plate fab, nerf bars, etc). But it is always out at the worst possible time... NOTE TO SELF, get an emergency back-up tank...
     
    Gixx, Feb 20, 2006
    #8
  9. Feb 20, 2006
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    I use the bottle thats about 2 ft tall. I too was going thjrough gas faster than I expected.

    I checked with the steel weld engineers here at work, they said I should adjust the flow to 30-40 cfh. Well I did that, and of course was running out of gas quickly. 30-40 cfh is great arc shielding coverage when it isn't coming out of your pocket :rofl:
    Since blowing through my last bottle pretty quickly :mad: , I adjusted the flow rate on the gage and found I can still keep a good arc with the gage at about 10 rather than 30.
    Turn your flow rate down, set it at the minimum where you can still keep a steady arc.
     
    lynn, Feb 20, 2006
    #9
  10. Feb 20, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    OK - so I'm still a newbie at some of this.

    Do you mean open the gauge, even on a fresh bottle, so that it only goes up to 10 (rather than just going full-bore)?
     
    Boyink, Feb 20, 2006
    #10
  11. Feb 20, 2006
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Adjust the flow rate....I run 15-20cfh, but if I'm outside, and it's a tad breezy, I'll bump it up a bit...
     
    Patrick, Feb 20, 2006
    #11
  12. Feb 20, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    That's my question - do I adjust the flow rate by the valve on the tank? Sorry to seem dense, I just figured the welder would use a consistent amount of gas - being somehow internally regulated.
     
    Boyink, Feb 20, 2006
    #12
  13. Feb 20, 2006
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    There is a knob on the regulator to adjust the flow rate. On the bottle, that valve should be fully open.

    Just like a gas grill... open the tank valve fully, then adjust the flame height after lighting, with the regulator knobs. ;)
     
    lynn, Feb 20, 2006
    #13
  14. Feb 20, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Maybe I don't have that type of regulator - I don't have a knob outside of the one on the tank:
     
    Boyink, Feb 20, 2006
    #14
  15. Feb 20, 2006
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Wow, we use our Tig with aluminum set at 25-28 and that is very high, You're closer to right than the welding company was Lynn, 12-20 should be fine if you're inside and out of the wind or a fan.
     
    Mcruff, Feb 20, 2006
    #15
  16. Feb 20, 2006
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Never seen a regulator like that one Mike. That one may be regulated by the loosening the small nut and rotating the larger hex nut behind it and then tightening it back up.
     
    Mcruff, Feb 20, 2006
    #16
  17. Feb 20, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    How would I know what it was set to - or would I just set by trial and error?

    Or should I get another regulator?
     
    Boyink, Feb 20, 2006
    #17
  18. Feb 20, 2006
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    This is the regulator I have, adjusted by the big black knob.
    Lincoln Mig kit K610-1 for the Weld Pak 100....

    [​IMG]
     
    lynn, Feb 20, 2006
    #18
  19. Feb 20, 2006
    grannyscj

    grannyscj Headed to the Yukon

    Anchorage, AK
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    Boyink, take the cap nut off the front of the regulator. There should be a adjustment screw inside that. Set the flow by adjusting the screw while gas is flowing through the nozzle. When done put the cap nut back on. It prevents tampering. 15-20 cfh should do the job on steel, aluminum set about 5 cfh higher. With aluminum heat conductance is so much greater the higher setting seems to work better. Also, like has been said if your welding in the wind, you'll need to go up farther or set up a wind screen.:v6:
     
    grannyscj, Feb 20, 2006
    #19
  20. Feb 20, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    OK - I'll give it a shot.

    Do I just adjust it down until it won't weld well?
     
    Boyink, Feb 20, 2006
    #20
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