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MG MGB Technical - Carbon Dioxide and refill source in the UK?

Hello all,

After running out of CO2 during a midnight welding session on a friend's midget, I decided, like many before me I'm sure, that the disposable bottles are a pain in the wossname and that I should get a decent-sized refillable bottle for that welder. Trouble is, I've searched the entire internet twice and can't find any prices or local distributors. Can anyone help me out with a phone number, preferably of a supplier here in sunny Warwickshire?

Cheers for any info,
--
Olly
Oliver Stephenson

Oliver

I havn,t got round to it yet, but BOC rent large CO2 cylinders, should be one near you.
Nigel Griffiths

Dunno if they do but have you tried that welding supplies place in leafy Snitterfield?
Paul Hunt

Paul, I didn't know there was a welding supplies place in Snitterfield, but now I do I'll look them up! Sounds local enough for me.

Cheers,
--
Olly
Oliver Stephenson

BOC in Buckinghamshire? I am impressed. I've got a BOC distributor right here in Swansea, Massachusetts. Looks like they get around. I just bought a MIG from them today.
Dana

I've been told by a mate to ask your friendly landlord: they use them on the fizzy drink machines, he restores VWs so uses loads of the stuff.
E Parkes

I used to borrow a MIG welder before I got my own - the owner used a CO2 bottle from a pub - cheap enough but lousy to weld with - I much prefer an Argon / CO2 mix. You can certainly rent bottles from BOC (British Oxygen Company) - the gas is cheapere that way but the rental is steep, unless you do a lot of welding it is actually cheaper to use the small disposable bottles.
Chris Betson

"he restores VWs so uses loads of the stuff" - what, fizzy drinks?

Like Cris I have found that Argon gives better results and is the same price.
Paul Hunt

How about buying a refillable bottle outright? I did see one on a welding supply page that I've forgotten the address of - they had a 700g bottle for sale for 25 quid. I'm not sure how much 700g of CO2 is though :o)

I think that pub CO2 is a different grade to that used for welding and also contains nitrogen. Whether that would explain any differences in ease of welding, I dunno...

Cheers,
--
Olly
Oliver Stephenson

Would that also explain why a weld that looks fine after a few pints has deteriorated by the next morning?
Paul Hunt

Paul,

That also applies to the womwen!
Chris Betson

Whoops ... women!! ... I'm not really p*****d 8-)
Chris Betson

Oliver
I was in a similar situation 18 months ago using the disposable CO2 bottles. In a period of about 6 months I got through at least 5 of the higher capacity bottles from Machine Mart, and did not manage much more than the LH sill and inner wing repairs. I figured renting from BOC would work out cheaper. If I continued using disposables at the same rate I'd have spent twice as much.
As far as costs are concerned BOC have just increased their prices, but you can expect to pay £33 per year rental on the bottle, and £7.50 + £8.95 everytime you get a refill. All ex VAT and for CO2. Try the BOC Customer Service Centre on 0800 111 333, they should be able to tell you where the nearest depot is.

Steve
Stephen Lee

This thread was discussed between 11/01/2003 and 12/01/2003

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.