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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    mackay
    Posts
    2

    Default converting from throw away argon gas bottle to bigger bottle

    does anyone have a throw away argon gas bottle [sip migmate 150 dual]converted to a bigger bottle..must be away to convert the tiny tube to a bigger gas bottle...i would not recomend any one to buy the cheap bottle style of mig welders

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    A mate coverted his by heating up the larger tube and forcing the smaller tube into it about 150mm
    when it cooled it was gas tight and allowed conection to the larger gauge etc.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    I can well understand the desire to change from the Sip size of disposable cylinders.We did the calcs on this very forum some years back- between 8 -10 minutes of welding time.

    Consider the following 2 points:
    1.
    The re-filler will not refill any cylinder that does not meet Australian standards.

    2.The re-filler is hardly likely to refill a cylinder that is not from their own origin,why miss out on that lovely monthly rental fee.

    Sorry to burst your bubble but it is one area that locked up tight due to (safety considerations) and potential financial losses to the gas companies.

    Cheers
    Grahame

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Australia east coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    2,713

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    I can well understand the desire to change from the Sip size of disposable cylinders.We did the calcs on this very forum some years back- between 8 -10 minutes of welding time.

    Consider the following 2 points:
    1.
    The re-filler will not refill any cylinder that does not meet Australian standards.

    2.The re-filler is hardly likely to refill a cylinder that is not from their own origin,why miss out on that lovely monthly rental fee.

    Sorry to burst your bubble but it is one area that locked up tight due to (safety considerations) and potential financial losses to the gas companies.

    Cheers
    Grahame
    The safety argument is total crap, SCUBA tanks have a lot higher working pressure than industrial gas cylinders. It's all about the money....

    At least 1 company is advertising on Ebay that they'll sell you a cylinder and swap it over with you only paying for the gas. Distribution is limited to Sydney & the central coast though not much use in Mackay etc. Proves it can be done though.

    For steel welding, swap to straight CO2. That's my plan in the near future.

    PDW

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    59

    Default

    scroll down to to page 52 they have the conversion kit to hook up to the larger bottle (I don't have any connection with this company )
    http://www.dynaweld.com.au/pics/Machinery.pdf

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    My bad, as the kids say.

    However the title of the thread "converting from throw away argon gas bottle to bigger bottle" led me to make the comment- its all in the semantics. Its just me folks - if I believe that someone will do something that could harm themselves or others I will say something - count on it!

    I jumped to the conclusion that someone was going to modify/enlarge the disposable gas cylinder-not the gas delivery hose/ TUBE connections. Downside of the correct pressure regulator for the cylinder all that is safe and dead easy to do.

    My comments concerned modification of cylinders. Its a no brainer that a cylinder that did not meet the Australian standards for that type of cylinder will not be refilled by a responsible vendor..Thats not crap,its fact.


    In regards to Co2 used as a mig shielding gas here is what Bernard - a major manufacturer of GMAW accessories say about it as a shielding gas.

    <Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the most common of the reactive gases used in MIG welding and the only one that can be used in its pure form without the addition of an inert gas. CO2 is also the least expensive of the common shielding gases, making an attractive choice when material costs are the main priority. Pure CO2 provides very deep weld penetration, which is useful for welding thick material; however, it also produces a less stable arc and more spatter than when it is mixed with other gases. It is also limited to only the short circuit process.>

    Cheers
    Grahame

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    241

    Default

    When I got onto gas for my Bunnings MIG, I picked up a simple adaptor which would screw onto a proper regulator, and still use the hose that came with the MIG (Intended for the disposable cannisters)

    Did the job, never came off. Wouldn't waste my time trying to scrimp and using the little regulator, it's just that sort of thing that'll come around to bite you in the posterior in my opinion.

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