Argoshield/Argon filling in CHCH?

[sefer]

Hey guys,

finally sorted some sheet metal for my little project, and while welding with my MIG and flux core gets stuff held together it aint exactly the neatest welds, which doesn't matter for 80% of what needs done, but will for the final bits (a total of 4 seams likely, but gas will make the rest eaiser too).

So anyway, I have a US owner arogshield tank which is empty, so first, can I get it filled? What about the testing if necessary, what's that cost, and where? (it would be the ideal soloution, since it's a tiny bottle, and I have a regulator. Seems to be similar to a LPG fitting).

OR, if that doesn't work, where can I get a reasonible, short term, rental bottle (not BOC I'm guessing), and what's it likely to cost? (and will my regulator fit...)

Best I can tell these are the places in CHCH
Argo Gas (don't seem to deal with the public)
Air Liquide (as above)
BOC (rip-off bastards )
Southern Gas (can't find them so far...)

(have considered the small ones at mitre 10 and the like, but at $60 a bottle, plus $90 or so for a regulator it seems to be overly expensive)

Thanks guys if you can help.

[UberRhys]

Hey guys,

finally sorted some sheet metal for my little project, and while welding with my MIG and flux core gets stuff held together it aint exactly the neatest welds, which doesn't matter for 80% of what needs done, but will for the final bits (a total of 4 seams likely, but gas will make the rest eaiser too).

So anyway, I have a US owner arogshield tank which is empty, so first, can I get it filled? What about the testing if necessary, what's that cost, and where? (it would be the ideal soloution, since it's a tiny bottle, and I have a regulator. Seems to be similar to a LPG fitting).

OR, if that doesn't work, where can I get a reasonible, short term, rental bottle (not BOC I'm guessing), and what's it likely to cost? (and will my regulator fit...)

Best I can tell these are the places in CHCH
Argo Gas (don't seem to deal with the public)
Air Liquide (as above)
BOC (rip-off bastards )
Southern Gas (can't find them so far...)

(have considered the small ones at mitre 10 and the like, but at $60 a bottle, plus $90 or so for a regulator it seems to be overly expensive)

Thanks guys if you can help.

to be able to be filled in NZ it needs a LAB number stamped into the cylinder. If it doesn't have this then they won't even look at it. Next step if it does have a LAB number is to check that it is in test and again if it doesn't have this it won't get filled.

If it is just a few welds you need, it would be easier to borrow a bottle from a mate to get it done.

The disposable bottles available from the different shops are handy but expensive and also require a special regulator to get the gas out.

Pity - if you were up near me I could help you out. BOC can't help you out too much (unless you know someone like me ), they will charge you for all the gas and rental for the days you had it...

[Batcerb]

How about using solidwire instead with c02?

Be way easyier than fluxcore on the thin stuff ... nice vertical down, suit you sir!

Theres some .9 on trademe

[sefer]

Well I'm guessing no LAB since it is an US bottle, so thats' that idea. I'll have to chekc out BOC tomorrow I guess (I will use the bottle, but likely not much).

I have been looking into co2 as an alternitive, either through sodastream bottles or paintball bottles, but on the whole not a lot cheaper from a set-up point of view by the time you get a regulator (thou the gas is a lot less). i am wondering if a regulator is totally necessary for these types of bottles however, surely they must be pretty much fully open to be usible anyway..

[laRIKin]

I use Ascogas as I found them cheaper.
You have to get an account, but thats all good and I think you get your first ever month rental free.

http://www.finda.co.nz/business/listing/p4x8/asco-gas/

[sefer]

^^ I'll give them a call.

I dropped by Air Liquide yesterday (which is out back of Asco gas) and was basically given the "your disturbing us...what you don't even have an account" response. I had thought is was the same outfit.

[sefer]

I gave them a call, but they don't supply anymore, they send you to Air Liquide (which is outback of them, probably still part of the company). They weren't interested in "small" customers and wouldn't even give me an actual quote on argoshield ("oh..it's about the same as Argon..").

Scary that so far BOC is in fact the cheapest, and will let you short-term rent the bottles...

[sefer]

Southern gas it is. D sized is $42+ a fill for shielding gas, plus $0.30 a day rental (shorter term perfered). Vrs BOC $80 a fill it's an easy choice.

[laRIKin]

I gave them a call, but they don't supply anymore, they send you to Air Liquide (which is outback of them, probably still part of the company). They weren't interested in "small" customers and wouldn't even give me an actual quote on argoshield ("oh..it's about the same as Argon..").

Scary that so far BOC is in fact the cheapest, and will let you short-term rent the bottles...

Well in that case they have changed a lot from the last time I was there.
They were more than happy to open an account and sign you up.
Gave you your first month retail free and looked after me/you.

Shame really.

[sefer]

Once I get all the bits here in a couple of weeks it'll probably only take me a couple of days, but I've got stuff I can do in the meantime (plus I think my father is planning on making a trailer for his quads), so I'll get use out of a full bottle over a month or so anyway.