MIG Newbie: What size Cyl AR/CO2

I went with an 80 cu ft tank, and I'm a hobbyist. You can do the math and calculate how long a tank of a given size will last between refills. With your regulator set to 20 cu ft per hour an 80 cu ft tank will last you 4 hours. That's 4 hours of actual welding, of course. For me, the lion's share of time in a welding session is spent prepping and fitting metal before welding the joints. I'd say on a rough guess only 25 percent of the time is actual welding time per session, so an 80 cu ft tank will last me for 16 hours total. I only spend about

4 hours per session on Saturdays, maximum, so an 80 cu ft tank should last me at least a month between refills. So far this has born itself out.

The other nice thing about an 80 cu ft tank is that it is not too big to be carried around. I bring my tank to the welding supply store to get it refilled, which requires me to carry it to my pick-up truck and then into the store, and then back again. Although I have no experience with larger tanks, I suspect that a bigger one would start to get unmanageable.

(BTW, I made a wooden cradle that fits in my truck bed to transport my C-25 tank. Made of 2x4's, the tank rests horizontally between two rails and is strapped down to them. It's very secure and convenient. Not for use with acetylene!)

As a little thing I do with my Dynasty with an 80cf I have a "hockey players bag" I can fit two 80 cf cylinders, grinders, backing and purging gear, cables, consumables,filler, etc. It's a bit heavy but I can always drop a cylinder to cut the weight in half. Makes lugging all the stuff way easier when a cart would just get in the way. It fits in the trunk of a car, looks innocuous enough not to be stolen from the inside rear of an extended bed pickup. all hidden, and yes, I cap it off! It was 20 bucks at Sports Authority.

Rob

Fraser Competiti>

What are you welding? For steel fabrication, some percentage of CO2 will aid penetration. 92/8 supports spray transfer and should be more appropriate than 100% argon for most steel applications. You'll get into spray at a lower amperage with 100% argon but is it worth the trade-off of lower heat and penetration?

Thanks to all for your advice..an "80" it is.

20 bucks !! Where is "here" ? Thats a great price..its $ 60 (48 USD) here in Canada. R

Howdy! as to the 20$ refill, it may be because I am browsing heavily at a new welder, he wants me to get at HIS shope :P I try and get all the accesories before the welder. That way all the welding shops give you good deals cause they want you to spend the 4 grand at their place. And then you get it at the place that treated you the best. Brian Lee Sparkeee24

My 86/14 Ar/CO2 80cf costs me $60 in Las Vegas. Prices pretty consistent at all the dealers. What is everyone else paying?

Steve

75/25 130 CF ....$21 in Santa Ana California

Gunner

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