<p>What am I looking at for gas bottles?</p><p>Rent?<br />Buy?<br />Buy used?</p>

 

I rent from the place I buy my gas from.

It's just easier.

 

<p>Figured I would start with that. While shopping for other alternatives.</p>

 

Beware buying used, bottles must be certified, plus if they come from a different supplier some places just flat out won't accept them for refills/recerts.

Oh, and if you get a used setup, be sure to check for leaks in the regulator (soapy water) - I drained half a tank after forgetting to close the main cylinder valve. Wups.

 

Edit* Beat me to it^

From what I was told, even if you buy a used tank they need to test and certify it. Which costs money. If you buy new, it will cost more than renting the bottle and unless bought new from that store they still may need to test and certify it.

 

<p>Hmmm, good points. I have a friend who owns his cylinder and he got it used. I will talk to him.</p>

 

I own my smaller 80 cu.ft. bottle. I am pretty sure it gets exchanged when i need a refill. So as long as i exchange prior to the cert date, no cert fees. My larger tank i own the rights to use it but dont own it. I can take it back and they will refund 75% of what i paid for the rights. Same thing with cert fees for the larger bottle.

 

<p>I think I'm going to rent while I putz around with it and learn stuff. If I ever get around to doing a manifold again or something I will buy one.</p>

 

Shop around. Prices were all over the place here. I got a great deal on the larger bottle. Refills are reasonable as well. I didnt get as good a deal on the smaller one but the dude who runs the shop has been a huge resource for a welding noob.

 

<p>One welding shop is like 3 minutes away from me, I will try them first.</p>

 

Guess it depends on the shop - the place I use (BOC gasses, Oshawa, ON) refused to even look at the tank (granted the one I had didn't have a supplier label on it and was kinda scuzzy looking).

 

I own my cylinder. It paid for itself already compared to renting. At least with my local place. My place just charges more for refills for a rental, so once you get filled like 5 times the largest tank they sell to non-commercial accounts it paid for.

 

Well no one around will rent without an account. Going to look into used for a bit and then just buy. Will they buy it back?

 

<p>Unnggg</p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>

 

Less pictures, more weldy

I want to know how that thing works.

I bought a short 3ft tank and just swap it for ~$50, I can walk out back to my welding supply store though, so that's cool. It is a little small if welding all weekend.

 

<p>Real welding pictures. As far as I can tell this welder is freaking awesome. Definitely not limiting me at all. More skill on my part is definitely needed.</p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>

 

Sorry, I'm late to the party. I've had this same model for a couple of months. I had the Eastwood Tig 200 for about four years before I bought the AHP. Both are very capable with the AHP having more controls. Both of these units could use better tig heads which is no problem since they use an industry standard coupling. You will want to invest in tungsten in .040, 1/16", and 3/32" for thicker and thinner material. The 2% Lanthanated tungsten is the way to go as it works well for both aluminum and steel. For really thin welding wire you can buy a small spool of mig wire and use it when 1/16" wire is too big. Whenever possible, hold the tig head like a pencil and your wrist/arm against something for maximum steadyness. Practice, use cleaned metal, and the tightest weld joints you can get. Acetone is good for final cleaning on aluminum before welding.
My 2 cents.
-JB

 

Why did you go to the AHP? More controls? They're the same price and same warranty. I know Eastwood stands by their product. Unsure of AHP- no personal experience. But the unit has endless positive reviews on amazon.

 

I have had great luck with my last two argon and 25% mix bottle purchases, I bought real small bottles (20cuft), but by the time I go back for a refill my welding shop just gave me free upgrades to the next size up. They hate dealing with the tiny bottles. I have two 80cuft bottles now one for Lincoln 180 MIG and one for Eastwood 200 TIG. I can get a lot of welding done between refills. I would not get anything smaller than 40 cuft.

 

<p>I'm currently hunting on cl.</p><p>My friend is letting me borrow his extra 40cf CO2 bottle, that I'm going to go fill with argon until I find my own.</p>