Oxygen / Acetylene rental

**DeltaNegative** · 14th May 2009, 09:57 PM

One of the biggest problems I have and I doubt I am alone is the lust for bigger machinery, more tools and supplies. Well, I have finally got a lathe (brand new mini lathe for $350!) and next on the list is a oxy set to complement my existing old school CIG arc welder (borrowed from a neighbor until he wants it back). I know its not the cheapest tool to have but I figure I will have to spend at least $1000 on a decent TIG and even then I still have to rent a bottle of argon (or two), throw in the lack of 3 phase power and its not looking that great considering I can only weld with it. Anyway, I have managed to pick up a Comet 2 oxy set for free which admittedly has seen better days

With my oxy set the regulators are a bit old, they are of the older CIG type

(ones on the far right) naturally I am a bit wary about their accuracy and safety. Same goes with the handpiece but everything feels right and I have seen much worse in daily use. Should I just junk everything and buy new gear?

Now for the gas rental, how much am I looking at per year for D size cylinders? As far as I know both Supagas and BOC deliver to my area and there is a BOC Gas & Gear shop nearby? Any idea what I am up for? I was told to expect $12pm on each cylinder + gas +GST and all up to expect costs to be about $350 all up

Damn, I wish we could buy our own cylinders like the yanks can

**bollie7** · 14th May 2009, 10:36 PM

Last year my BOC size E cylinders cost me $393 for the pr and I suppose this year it will go up by another $20 or $30.

with your regs. You used to be able to either buy a kit for them or get them rebuilt by CIG (now BOC) Don't if you can still do this. If you can I would do that rather than but a cheap set of regs that are made who knows where.

bollie7

**China** · 14th May 2009, 11:17 PM

Those regulators are all considered obsolete, contact cigweld to see if they can be refitted to today's standard, with your gas rental go for supergas they are cheaper, and are Australian owned unlike BOC

**DeltaNegative** · 14th May 2009, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by bollie7

Last year my BOC size E cylinders cost me $393 for the pr and I suppose this year it will go up by another $20 or $30.

Does that include the cost of the gas or is it just the cylinder rental cost?

Originally Posted by China

Those regulators are all considered obsolete, contact cigweld to see if they can be refitted to today's standard, with your gas rental go for supergas they are cheaper, and are Australian owned unlike BOC

I'm probably better off grabbing a more recent pair off eBay or oztion, I'm guessing to have them reconditioned (new diaphragms and valves +labour) would come close to a set of newer regulators.

**piney** · 15th May 2009, 12:32 AM

It may pay to check with BOC about the regs. They have increased the cylinder pressures in recent years and sent memos to gas users at the time. While it may be a marketing ploy, I would check the suitablilty and serviceabilty before using old regs.A blow out could be ugly!

Better safe than sorry

regards
Stuart

**bollie7** · 15th May 2009, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by DeltaNegative

Does that include the cost of the gas or is it just the cylinder rental cost?

Just rental. Gas is extra. I don't know what the current cost of a size E fill is. I haven't had a fill for a few years now.

bollie7

**bobsreturn2003** · 15th May 2009, 09:29 AM

still useing these regs . they work just fine . the rental hurts once a year . perhaps you could hire a set when you need them? cheers bob

**bollie7** · 15th May 2009, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by China

, with your gas rental go for supergas they are cheaper, and are Australian owned unlike BOC

Any more info on supergas?
I've just done a search and haven't found anything yet.
bollie7

**.RC.** · 15th May 2009, 09:40 AM

AFAIK there are only two companies that rent out oxy bottles...BOC and Linde. Both screw you over on rental...I am going to go LPG as soon as my acetylene bottle is empty..

**Fossil** · 15th May 2009, 11:24 AM

I am going to go LPG as soon as my acetylene bottle is empty..

That's what I did a few months ago. It isn't all great AFAIAC.
The loose flame of LPG can be a bit of a pain, lighting isn't as easy, and when I got rid of my acetylene, I told myself that I hardly ever gas weld steel. I now have four or five jobs sitting in the workshop that require gas welding....... Sooooo... I am now looking at going back to acetylene.

Oxy/lpg is fine for heating, and is "OK" for silver soldering (plumbing), just don't expect it to be a 100% replacement for acetylene.

**bollie7** · 15th May 2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by .RC.

AFAIK there are only two companies that rent out oxy bottles...BOC and Linde. Both screw you over on rental...I am going to go LPG as soon as my acetylene bottle is empty..

I seem to remember reading somewhere recently that BOC is now owned by Air Liquide. Anyone know anything about that?

bollie7

**bollie7** · 15th May 2009, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Fossil

Oxy/lpg is fine for heating, and is "OK" for silver soldering (plumbing), just don't expect it to be a 100% replacement for acetylene.

Stretching the memory here (Graeme ?) but I think LPG/Oxygen burns at a ratio of 4 Oxygen:1 LPG which is why you can't weld with it. Also the flame temp is lower.
Good chart here
http://hypertextbook.com/facts/1998/JamesDanyluk.shtml

bollie7

**DeltaNegative** · 15th May 2009, 05:32 PM

**chambezio** · 15th May 2009, 09:25 PM

Howdy all
The economic crunch hits us all no matter how we try to avoid it.
I surrended my Acetalene bottle to cut down the costs of it sitting there not being used often, with a view to rob the BBQ gas to cut or weld (has't eventuated yet) with the Oxy

When I went to BOC they said that any time I needed Acetaline specifically,I could hire any sized bottle for any short term. I thought that that would be good to remember for future reference

To fill an E sized bottle of Oxy cost me $88 before last Christmas
Then of course you have the rental $180 (I think) Its not a cheap "hobby" but boy its good to have that heat when you need it. Acetaline runs rings around the propane torch any day!(But it does cook a good steak)

Regards Rod

**China** · 15th May 2009, 11:16 PM

Try here http://www.supagas.com.au/retail.htm#SA

.RC. BOC and LINDE are the same company Supagas is independent and Australian owned

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