small tig / mig gas bottles

[crash]

I came across this on e-bay today. For the occasional Mig / Tig user it appears to be a very viable option to bottle rental. Shipping is reasonable. Unfortunately they do not list Victoria.

TIG Welding GAS NEW Refillable Cylinder | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TIG-Welding-Gas-New-Refillable-Cylinder-/330960561916?pt=AU_Welding&hash=item4d0ec966fc#ht_1532wt_783)

[101RRS]

I have one something like that for my mig welder - best thing I ever did. I own the bottle.

Gasweld is an agent for Speed Gas - Products - Argon (http://www.speedgas.com.au/argon.html) so I just take mine in to them and do a swap and go - cost is just under $100 but my bottle is a D size so a bit bigger than the ebay bottle.

Garry

[DoubleChevron]

If your in Ballarat, Camerons have the small non-rental exchange MIG/TIG gas bottles. Hopefully they'll get Oxygen soon. You could get an LPG/Oxy set then and not pay rental :cool: :cool:

JB Cameron - Welding (http://www.jbcameron.com.au/welding)

seeya,
Shane L.

[dungarover]

If your in Ballarat, Camerons have the small non-rental exchange MIG/TIG gas bottles. Hopefully they'll get Oxygen soon. You could get an LPG/Oxy set then and not pay rental :cool: :cool:

JB Cameron - Welding (http://www.jbcameron.com.au/welding)

seeya,
Shane L.



Good to know, I already have a bottle here which was donated to me a while back. That's what used to **** me off about MIG welders, the rental of the bottle (about $160 a year) from BOC.


Trav

[Jonno007]

Sounds better than the 60 litre disposables from bunnings with the crappy regulator that is either off or vents all your gas in 30 seconds! Stuck with stick and flux core until I get the funds for a bottle. That sounds like a pretty good deal. Miss tigging :(

[crash]

Do the bottles require testing every so many years? And at what cost?

[DoubleChevron]

There exchange bottles ... Like BBQ gas swap 'n' go or Hychill refrigerant bottles. You never worry about expiry 'cos you'll likely swap bottles at least annually :)

BTW: BOC rental for 'E' ? sized is about $220 these days :eek: Just ask my wife, she's been giving me hell 'cos I have a nitrogen and MIG bottle in the shed I haven't gotten around to taking back yet. It's nearly $400 a year for the D nitrogen and E argon/co2.

seeya,
Shane L.

[flagg]

Gasweld is an agent for Speed Gas - Products - Argon (http://www.speedgas.com.au/argon.html) so I just take mine in to them and do a swap and go - cost is just under $100 but my bottle is a D size so a bit bigger than the ebay bottle.

Garry

As in Gasweld in Fyshwick?

[101RRS]

Yes

[DoubleChevron]

As in Gasweld in Fyshwick?

A "D" would probably be 8times bigger, I'll take a comparative photo between the "D" nitrogen bottle I have here and the exchange one if you like ?

seeya,
Shane L.

[flagg]

A "D" would probably be 8times bigger, I'll take a comparative photo between the "D" nitrogen bottle I have here and the exchange one if you like ?

seeya,
Shane L.

its ok, but thanks - I have an rented argon E as I found the D didn't last at all.

[101RRS]

its ok, but thanks - I have an rented argon E as I found the D didn't last at all.

You can buy E size mig gas bottles at Gasweld in Fyshwich. The entire upfront cost will be about the same as one year's rental and gas - my upfront D size was $339 with gas but then ongoing costs is just the gas - about $95 a refill/swap and go. I would expect the upfront cost for the E size to be $150-$200 more expensive.

Garry

[Bigbjorn]

There exchange bottles ... Like BBQ gas swap 'n' go or Hychill refrigerant bottles. You never worry about expiry 'cos you'll likely swap bottles at least annually :)

BTW: BOC rental for 'E' ? sized is about $220 these days :eek: Just ask my wife, she's been giving me hell 'cos I have a nitrogen and MIG bottle in the shed I haven't gotten around to taking back yet. It's nearly $400 a year for the D nitrogen and E argon/co2.

seeya,
Shane L.

The BOC "E" cylinder for my mig is $51.35 per quarter currently. I handed the oxygen and acetylene cylinders in years ago as the little use didn't justify the rent.

[Bigbjorn]

You can buy E size mig gas bottles at Gasweld in Fyshwich. The entire upfront cost will be about the same as one year's rental and gas - my upfront D size was $339 with gas but then ongoing costs is just the gas - about $95 a refill/swap and go. I would expect the upfront cost for the E size to be $150-$200 more expensive.

Garry

I was just now quoted $496 for a SpeedGas "E" cylinder full of gas delivered to my home in Brisbane. Not much more than two years rent to BOC. I think I will order one.

[flagg]

How much is the gas on the refill?

[DoubleChevron]

its ok, but thanks - I have an rented argon E as I found the D didn't last at all.

Your currently doing a lot of welding on something right ? You'll find once you get past the "welding" of whatever your restoring .... suddenly the welder sits being barely used for months/years at a time (until you start restoration on your next project ... and are back to the cuts/replacing of rusted metal). Then suddenly the small non-rental bottles make a huge amount of sense :)

If you find you need to do a ****load of welding, it's probably better to put your exchange bottle to the side and not use it. And go grab an "E" size from BOC and pay the $15 for one months rent, use the gas and return the bottle when done.

seeya,
Shane L.

[101RRS]

If you find you need to do a ****load of welding, it's probably better to put your exchange bottle to the side and not use it. And go grab an "E" size from BOC and pay the $15 for one months rent, use the gas and return the bottle when done.

seeya,
Shane L.

Or take a short drive over to the swap and go shop and get a new bottle - the same trip to hire a BOC bottle and a lot cheaper all round.

Garry

[DoubleChevron]

Or take a short drive over to the swap and go shop and get a new bottle - the same trip to hire a BOC bottle and a lot cheaper all round.

Garry

Your talking speedygas? We don't have them here :(

[101RRS]

Your talking speedygas? We don't have them here :(

Bummer - so your local Gasweld shops are not stocking them?

Garry

[DoubleChevron]

Bummer - so your local Gasweld shops are not stocking them?

Garry

We only really have BOC gasses in ballarat. Speedygas seems to be a Sydney thing. I'm sure it'll explode nation wide once they realise how MASSIVE the DIY market is for MIG gasses :)

seeya,
Shane L.

[steveG]

Looking forward to when we can buy bottles down here :(

Steve

[DoubleChevron]

Looking forward to when we can buy bottles down here :(

Steve

Do you have any friends/relatives that regually drive to Ballarat ? Just grab a camerons bottle. Note: They are quite small. But given the sparodic use of most DIY people, you'll probably only use a couple a year .... Which is $110 a year for gas rather than $220 a year for rental.

If you use your MIG a lot, it's not going to be cost effective .....

The guy at Camerons reckons the biggest problem they are having with the bottle exchange is getting enough stock................. They sell so many bottles there struggling to keep up!

seeya,
Shane L.

[Judo]

Sounds like there's a business opportunity in Melbourne here. Who's volunteering? I'll take one. :)

[101RRS]

We only really have BOC gasses in ballarat. Speedygas seems to be a Sydney thing. I'm sure it'll explode nation wide once they realise how MASSIVE the DIY market is for MIG gasses :)

seeya,
Shane L.

Speed Gas (not SpeedeGas) do trade through Gasweld who do have stores all over but it does seem their only store in Victoria is in Dandenong.

Guess that is a bit far though.

Garry

[123rover50]

I have a bottle of Argon here too. Not used it for about 3 years.
Just a thought, could I use an aircon compressor or endless air to suck the argon out and into an empty evacuated propane bottle. Then I could return the argon bottle and use the gas at my leisure. When it runs out, get another , do the same then return the bottle straight away.

Thoughts?

Keith

[bee utey]

I have a bottle of Argon here too. Not used it for about 3 years.
Just a thought, could I use an aircon compressor or endless air to suck the argon out and into an empty evacuated propane bottle. Then I could return the argon bottle and use the gas at my leisure. When it runs out, get another , do the same then return the bottle straight away.

Thoughts?

Keith
I'm not sure you understand the pressures/volumes involved. For example, my welding gas bottle is rated at 200 Bar pressure at 100% full, or around 2800 psi. A propane tank is rated at a working pressure of 25 Bar (2.5 MPa or approx 350 psi). Lets say your argon bottle is at 100 Bar and therefore you need a propane tank at least four times the physical volume to safely handle the pressure. Eight times as big to handle a full argon bottle's worth. The gas in my 20 litre WC "D" sized argon bottle would be too much for a typical 108 litre WC household bottle to handle.

I'm also not sure why you need to pump the argon, construct a high pressure connection pipe (with gauge) to the propane tank and steadily bleed the argon out until the propane tank pressure stabilises. You'll have transferred the bulk of the gas.

[123rover50]

You are right. I lay awake thinking it through and came to the same conclusion. Make a transfer line from hydraulic hose put a gauge in it and transfer to purged and evacuated house gas bottles keeping the pressure below the propane bottles working pressure untill its down to a couple of hundred psi or so then suck the last bit out with the pump.
May need a few bottles but they have heaps at the dump shop.
I can go back to bed now:)

[Bigbjorn]

I ordered an "E" cylinder of Argon/CO2 mix at lunch time yesterday and it was delivered within three hours.

[crash]

Do you have any friends/relatives that regually drive to Ballarat ? Just grab a camerons bottle. Note: They are quite small. But given the sparodic use of most DIY people, you'll probably only use a couple a year .... Which is $110 a year for gas rather than $220 a year for rental.

If you use your MIG a lot, it's not going to be cost effective .....

The guy at Camerons reckons the biggest problem they are having with the bottle exchange is getting enough stock................. They sell so many bottles there struggling to keep up!

seeya,
Shane L.
Probably the main reason that they are struggling with demand is the small size of the C bottle. The DIY market would love this service. For the amount of gas I use in a year the 3hr trip to Ballarat almost looks worthwhile. Fortunatley at the moment I can get a discounted rate through a mate of mine but will keep this option open.
One advantage of the C size is if you forget to close the valves you will not waste too much gas.

[loanrangie]

To save starting another thread, what sort of mileage do you get out of the small disposable bottles (2.2 ltr ) ?

[Judo]

To save starting another thread, what sort of mileage do you get out of the small disposable bottles (2.2 ltr ) ?
Like these?

Ross Mig Welding Disposable Gas Bottle Argon I/N 6320518 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/ross-mig-welding-disposable-gas-bottle-argon_p6320518)

Says "approx 20 minutes". But these look like roughly 1L @ 60 bar. My understanding is that's only 60L at atmosphere pressure. What gas rate do you use on a MIG?

10L/min = 6 minutes.
5L/min = 12 minutes.

Someone check my math...... but if that's right, it sounds damn expensive for $40!

[crash]

To save starting another thread, what sort of mileage do you get out of the small disposable bottles (2.2 ltr ) ?

From memory I think you also need to change your reg setup to run these disposable bottles. I think you have limited control over flow aswell. I would not trust them.

[loanrangie]

Got a total tools catalog that has 2.2ltr bottles for $59, i have been using gasless for a few years but will use gas with my new mig but cant see myself using a larger bottle as use will be sporadic.

Page 15

Back To Work Deals | Total Tools (http://www.totaltools.com.au/w1/i1029782/)

[Judo]

Let me google that for you.

http://www.tesuco.com.au/media/39116/IND_DIS_V01.pdf

2L @ 100 bar = 200L.

Cheaper than the bunnings ones at least.

I'm not sure about regulators. I will be investigating myself shortly though. I bought an inverter arc welding that has TIG function as well. Don't see myself using TIG much at the moment, but I'd love to give it a go....

[101RRS]

Yes a special reg is required and they last a very very very short time - depending what you are doing literally 10 minutes. When I first got mine I was told 17feet of weld but more like less than half that. They can be up to $50 at some places.

I used two of these this time last year and it was my experience with them that made me go the Speed Gas swap and go system.

Don't bother with them.

[Judo]

I thought I would add onto this thread....

I just rang Power 10 Gases.

Suppliers of Industrial Oxygen and Oxygen Cylinders (http://www.power10gases.com.au/)

No issues being in Melbourne and they have local stock that they ship. Buy the bottle and swap when you run out.

$335 - D size Argon, full of gas, delivered.
$99 D size refill + $20 delivery.

[uninformed]

a thing to remeber is not just bottle size but pressure filled to. I looked into those small argon bottles at bunnings, but on volume, they are more expensive than renting and filling a bottle from BOC

[rovercare]

I thought I would add onto this thread....

I just rang Power 10 Gases.

Suppliers of Industrial Oxygen and Oxygen Cylinders (http://www.power10gases.com.au/)

No issues being in Melbourne and they have local stock that they ship. Buy the bottle and swap when you run out.

$335 - D size Argon, full of gas, delivered.
$99 D size refill + $20 delivery.

Enquiry sent!!

[rovercare]

Enquiry sent!!

Cant find acetylene on the website:(

Oh well, well get rid of 4 bottles atleast, 2 argoshield light, oxy and argon

$800/annum in bottle rent is cruel

[uninformed]

Enquiry sent!!

yep, x2. I hope the do SEQ

[crash]

Enquiry sent!!

Do they ship to Victoria for the price listed in previous post?

[rovercare]

Hi Matthew

We can't help you with Acetylene but can with oxygen and Argon 5/2. Some
customers use Oxygen with an LPG fuel source that may help.

For Argon 5/2
The D size (1.7m3) is initially $335 for the cylinder including gas, the
refill is $98.

An E size (4.0m3) is $445 initially and $145 for the refills.

For Oxygen an E size is $425 initially and $125 for the cylinder exchange.

All prices includes gst.

So you would then own the cylinder and never have to pay rent again. You
would only pay for the gas you need it.

We can deliver that to you for $50.

Hope all is good in PNG. Enjoy the trip.

Thanks
Martin

[uninformed]

Matt, do you know if the bottle sizes and volumes are the same or similar to BOC?

[rovercare]

Matt, do you know if the bottle sizes and volumes are the same or similar to BOC?

That's all I know, I'm still in PNG for 3 weeks, so will order some when I return, I will just use LPG for oxy type work, I've rarely needed to silver solder anything $800 per annum to BOC was just insane

[Tote]

After returning my Argon bottle in January to BOC I needed to do some TIG tonight. Called in to Gasweld on the way home. Size D bottle filled with Argon $339.00. Refills from here on in cost $99
Size E was $479 and $149 for the refill but I don't really need the bigger bottle that I had with BOC.
No more rental bills - Woo Hoo

Regards,
Tote

[Warb]

This all comes down to how much you use. BOC "rental" gas is far cheaper than "owned refillable bottle" gas, which is in turn cheaper than Bunnings disposable bottles. It's easy to work out a break even point based on usage.

In my case I have a rented bottle of Argoshield for MIG work, and a bought/refillable bottle of argon for TIG, though the rented bottle will probably be given up when empty and replaced with a bought one, as my usage has declined.

There are other things to consider:

Buy a small refillable, and then rent+return a larger one when you need lots of gas for a project (the gas is much cheaper and regulators are the same).

Renting lets you change gas, whilst as far as I know the bought bottles are gas specific. There are different mixes of Argoshield for different uses, and DC TIG of (thick) aluminium works better with argon/helium. Not all gases may be available in bought/refillables, so it may be better to rent/return a specialised gas needed for a job.

[crash]

Saw a sign out of Total Tools advertising bottles for sale.
D- $359 to purchase and $109 to refill
E- $499 to Purchase and $169 to refill.

Seriously considering since my Argon has just run out. To purchase out right is equivalent to 2 years rental for me.

[Outback 1]

I recently purchased my cylinder through power 10 gases who have an agent in Kyabram I now own my cylinder and will only pay for the refill/exchange with no rental cost whatsoever
http://www.power10gases.com.au/

[rangieman]

I recently purchased my cylinder through power 10 gases who have an agent in Kyabram I now own my cylinder and will only pay for the refill/exchange with no rental cost whatsoever
Suppliers of Industrial Oxygen and Oxygen Cylinders (http://www.power10gases.com.au/)

x2 but Gasweld
https://www.gasweld.com.au/speed_gas

[Toxic_Avenger]

Like these?

Ross Mig Welding Disposable Gas Bottle Argon I/N 6320518 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/ross-mig-welding-disposable-gas-bottle-argon_p6320518)

Says "approx 20 minutes". But these look like roughly 1L @ 60 bar. My understanding is that's only 60L at atmosphere pressure. What gas rate do you use on a MIG?

10L/min = 6 minutes.
5L/min = 12 minutes.

Someone check my math...... but if that's right, it sounds damn expensive for $40!

My experience with a C size cylinder is that it's not even worth worrying about unless you are only wanting to do a small weld, or forever want to be working on a job and getting new cylinders swapped.
TIG between 7-12LPM flow does not work out to be long on the end of the torch. Especially doing TIG with any kind of pre/post flow, as most machines are hard wired to give. For those not in the know, your TIG tungstens need post flow to cool down after the job, and it this same post flow that prevents crater cracking in the weld pool as it solidifies.


As for the gas supply, how many of these 'buy your own cylinder' companies own their own infrastructure? I'm talking about air separation units and other multi-billion dollar pieces of plant and equipment which secure long term supply to their customers. My understanding is they ship second/third hand gas to filling points in ISO tanks which often leads to contamination and off-spec product. Not the thing you want if you are working on anything that even resembles a critical project.


In the end of the day, it's horses for courses. The weekend warrior cannot justify the burden of rental for the 3 times a year they want to weld. The big users cannot afford the cashflow to fork out $50K to own their cylinders outright.... and then take the gamble on the down-time to have the cylinder shipped off to be refilled (often with uncertain supply).
Don't believe, me? Try to nail down a supply contract with any of the small operators for an argon/helium blend. Chances are you'll be pushing **** up hill even getting anyone who knows why you would need such a blend.

[roverrescue]

Randomly off-topic-ish

I do a fair amount of Steel SMAW (2mm-12mm)
a fair to middling amount of Aluminium SMAW (1mm-8mm)
and a scoatch of GTAW (mostly 316)

I currently rent two D bottles from BOC an Argoshield Light and an Argon.
No "own and fill" options within 350km which is a little far when the torch runs dry on a Friday.

Recently I have thrown around the idea of renting a bottle of CO2 and a bottle of Ar and sourcing a gas mixer. CO2 is cheaper than Argo light and technically the CO2 bottle would last nearly forever????

The US in-turd-nets are all ga ga about SMITH gas mixers. Does anyone have gas mixer experienec on this side of the pond???

Obviosuly I could just run straight Ar all round - with enough ponies heavy steel (>3mm) welds just fine with straight Ar - you just need to turn it up to 11 and hold on!

But every now and again I need to be subtle like

Opinions?

S

[crash]

I recently purchased my cylinder through power 10 gases who have an agent in Kyabram I now own my cylinder and will only pay for the refill/exchange with no rental cost whatsoever
Suppliers of Industrial Oxygen and Oxygen Cylinders (http://www.power10gases.com.au/)
Thanks Outback 1.
Another option, will have to give them a ring for prices.
I wonder if you can take the bottles to a different supplier that does the "exchange" of individual owned bottles.

I agree with some of the above comments about pricing / value. If going through alot of gas then rental would be cheaper, but for the average home user that may only break out the MIG / TIG once or twice a year then owning the bottles would be better.

I also am going to presume that the initial purchase price includes the first fill up.

[Judo]

Oxy swaps at Bunnings now apparently.

"Trade n go" Gas Coregas Oxygen Size D Gas & Cylinder Deposit I/N 5910224 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/-trade-n-go-gas-coregas-oxygen-size-d-gas-cylinder-deposit_p5910224)

3rd hand comment from Bunnings staff was that if it goes well they'll start doing other gases too.

[Outback 1]

Thanks Outback 1.
Another option, will have to give them a ring for prices.
I wonder if you can take the bottles to a different supplier that does the "exchange" of individual owned bottles.

I agree with some of the above comments about pricing / value. If going through alot of gas then rental would be cheaper, but for the average home user that may only break out the MIG / TIG once or twice a year then owning the bottles would be better.

I also am going to presume that the initial purchase price includes the first fill up.

First bottle is full

Sent from my GT-S7275Y using AULRO mobile app

[p38arover]

3rd hand comment from Bunnings staff was that if it goes well they'll start doing other gases too.

They have acetylene, too. "Trade n go" Gas Coregas Acetylene Size D Gas & Cylinder Deposit I/N 5910223 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/-trade-n-go-gas-coregas-acetylene-size-d-gas-cylinder-deposit_p5910223)

[Toxic_Avenger]

Randomly off-topic-ish

I do a fair amount of Steel SMAW (2mm-12mm)
a fair to middling amount of Aluminium SMAW (1mm-8mm)
and a scoatch of GTAW (mostly 316)

I currently rent two D bottles from BOC an Argoshield Light and an Argon.
No "own and fill" options within 350km which is a little far when the torch runs dry on a Friday.

Recently I have thrown around the idea of renting a bottle of CO2 and a bottle of Ar and sourcing a gas mixer. CO2 is cheaper than Argo light and technically the CO2 bottle would last nearly forever????

The US in-turd-nets are all ga ga about SMITH gas mixers. Does anyone have gas mixer experienec on this side of the pond???

Obviosuly I could just run straight Ar all round - with enough ponies heavy steel (>3mm) welds just fine with straight Ar - you just need to turn it up to 11 and hold on!

But every now and again I need to be subtle like

Opinions?

S

By SMAW, I'm guessing you mean GMAW (MIG?). SMAW is technical talk for 'stick' welding, which isn't a commonly used process with aluminium (it can been done, but with very limited success).

Never heard of these gas mixers, but I have heard of the big vapourizer mixers which are used on bulk / liquid installs - the kind where you have 5 cubes of liquid out the back, argon / CO2, and dial-a-mixture from there. Only really seen on big manufacturing plants.


Let me put it diplomatically... $1600 USD plus any shipping fees is a lot to spend... especially given that you've not changed the net number of cylinders you have. Breakeven point on such an investment would be decades, if anything.

Issues I've come across with MIG welding of steel with your run of the mill S6 mig wire and CO2 is:
- Deep weld penetration (forget about anything under say 3mm)
- Horrendous amounts of spatter (more clean up, higher time invested in a job for the same job rate)
- Regulator freezing up under higher flow - you can fork out an additional $450 for a CO2 preheater

Although CO2 is recommended and encouraged for some kinds of flux cored 'gas assisted' wire, and some hardfacing consumables.

Never heard of pure Argon for MIG turned to 11. I guess it would cover the shielding role of the gas, but the Oxygen and CO2 components in your mixed gases ionize to provide the stable and controllable arc characteristics which welding needs.

There are plenty of weld cost calculators out there on the web which could be used to get an empirical measure of welding with other gases, but my understanding is that if you use the right gas for the job, it will pay for itself in productivity, less re-work of a job poorly done, and overall appearance / performance of the joint.

[roverrescue]

Ta Mitch, ya meat GMAW as in MIG with hard wire not fluxcore
agreed spending big money would be crazy - but Smith make a gas mixer that shares inputs from CO2 and Ar and you can dial in whatever % of each you fancy... Much smaller scale than you mention

With respect to straight Ar and steel MIG try it some time. Weld bead profile is tall, doesnt wet out the toes but with enough herbs have no problems with penetration but no good for light material

Really just shooting the breeze - gas rental costs are crazy

s

[LandyAndy]

If anybody uses the small disposable welding gas bottles,Bunnings in Beeliar ??? WA (Just of the Kwinana Freeway,Armadale rd) had 3 last tuesday on the discount trolley.1 was argon,the other 2 C02. $19.95ea
Andrew

[Toxic_Avenger]

If anybody uses the small disposable welding gas bottles,Bunnings in Beeliar ??? WA (Just of the Kwinana Freeway,Armadale rd) had 3 last tuesday on the discount trolley.1 was argon,the other 2 C02. $19.95ea
Andrew



Like these?

Ross Mig Welding Disposable Gas Bottle Argon I/N 6320518 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/ross-mig-welding-disposable-gas-bottle-argon_p6320518)

Says "approx 20 minutes". But these look like roughly 1L @ 60 bar. My understanding is that's only 60L at atmosphere pressure. What gas rate do you use on a MIG?

10L/min = 6 minutes.
5L/min = 12 minutes.

Someone check my math...... but if that's right, it sounds damn expensive for $40!

That link above didn't work for me, but in the past I've crunched the sums on the small cylinders.
Worked out at about $360 per cubic meter. Market rate is around the $30 per cube...

So don't be baffled with bull****. Do the math. Work out the volume of your cylinder in cubic meters of gas at standard temp and pressure (25 celsius, @ 1 atmosphere), and compare the meerkat... Um... I mean Market.
SIMPLES!!!

[DoubleChevron]

That link above didn't work for me, but in the past I've crunched the sums on the small cylinders.
Worked out at about $360 per cubic meter. Market rate is around the $30 per cube...

So don't be baffled with bull****. Do the math. Work out the volume of your cylinder in cubic meters of gas at standard temp and pressure (25 celsius, @ 1 atmosphere), and compare the meerkat... Um... I mean Market.
SIMPLES!!!

The bottle I have is probably 1/3rd fo the size of a 'D'. It's pretty much empty now, but has lasted me 1.5years ..... That's a staggering $260 saved in bottle rental already.

It's not the cost of the gas that matters if your a hobby user. It's the rental. If you start a project that involved a HEAP of welding, go hire a bottle for a month to use cheaper gas, then return it when done.

seeya
shane l.

[LandyAndy]

The bottle I have is probably 1/3rd fo the size of a 'D'. It's pretty much empty now, but has lasted me 1.5years ..... That's a staggering $260 saved in bottle rental already.

It's not the cost of the gas that matters if your a hobby user. It's the rental. If you start a project that involved a HEAP of welding, go hire a bottle for a month to use cheaper gas, then return it when done.

seeya
shane l.

I also have the issue of no refill places so I have to rent a bottle for the mig and a bottle for the homebrew.
The rental costs are not cheap.
Andrew

[p38arover]

Oxy swaps at Bunnings now apparently.

"Trade n go" Gas Coregas Oxygen Size D Gas & Cylinder Deposit I/N 5910224 | Bunnings Warehouse (http://www.bunnings.com.au/-trade-n-go-gas-coregas-oxygen-size-d-gas-cylinder-deposit_p5910224)

3rd hand comment from Bunnings staff was that if it goes well they'll start doing other gases too.

See http://www.aulro.com/afvb/tool-time/199789-cheaper-oxy-acetylene.html