Cost effective way of occasionally using a portapack?

[brewdexta]

how long would something like last, roughly? Seems awfully expensive if it's only going to do an hours work.

If I go the albee route the cylinders are bigger and include regulators, just need some new pipes and flashback arrestors.

The quote I got from my nearest Albee supplier
Albee oxygen (11 litre) is £145 +VAT, refill £28 +VAT
Albee Acetylene (9.6 litres) is £199 +VAT, refill £63 +VAT

So about £415 plus bagging (25 quid) and arrrestors (about 30 quid the pair, I have a torch) so total is around £470 versus £150 for the disposable route (both inc VAT)

The more expensive option is obviously more flexible, longer lasting and more economic if you use it often enough. Just got to work out if I warrant the extra expense for my hobby..........

 

[backpurge]

BCGA CP7 states equipment should be inspected by competent and recognised body annualy and regs and flashbacks must be replaced every 5 years unless manufacturer states otherwise, these are the guidelines HSE work to and treat as the best current available information

 

[Rrunnach]

If a blow back does occur, flash backs should automatically be replaced. Re-settable arrestors, are as described, re-set but, as already stated, replaced before five year.

 

[Wedg1e]

so total is around £470 ...

Just got to work out if I warrant the extra expense for my hobby..........

Look at it this way: people spend that sort of money on a stupid iPhone to ponce about sending text messages and move little pictures around on a screen to make them think they have a life. In two years that sad little toy will have been rendered 'obsolete' by the next flavour and will be worth buttons - and meanwhile the owners are paying monthly fees for the privilege!

Anything you buy for a craft hobby will generally retain more of its worth - and give you the ability to generate wealth from it.

I have a ten year old Nokia phone... and two lathes, two mills, four welding sets, plasma cutter etc. etc. I reckon the depreciation on all of those since I bought them wouldn't buy me an iPhone...

 

[eil]

Look at it this way: people spend that sort of money on a stupid iPhone to ponce about sending text messages and move little pictures around on a screen to make them think they have a life. In two years that sad little toy will have been rendered 'obsolete' by the next flavour and will be worth buttons - and meanwhile the owners are paying monthly fees for the privilege!

Anything you buy for a craft hobby will generally retain more of its worth - and give you the ability to generate wealth from it.

I have a ten year old Nokia phone... and two lathes, two mills, four welding sets, plasma cutter etc. etc. I reckon the depreciation on all of those since I bought them wouldn't buy me an iPhone...

Yes but having a iPhone will make you instantly attractive to younger women, having four welding sets will only make you attractive to hairy arsed welders

 

[ajlelectronics]

Horses for courses! He might like hairy arsed welders in preference.

 

[brewdexta]

Horses for courses! He might like hairy arsed welders in preference.

Eek - I don't like iPhones however the alternative isn't very attractive - do I have any other choice

 

[Robotstar5]

Look at it this way: people spend that sort of money on a stupid iPhone to ponce about sending text messages and move little pictures around on a screen to make them think they have a life. In two years that sad little toy will have been rendered 'obsolete' by the next flavour and will be worth buttons - and meanwhile the owners are paying monthly fees for the privilege!

More like 2 months!

 

[mm289]

Just to clarify, i am guessing that the oxy/turbo gas route still won't allow gas welding like an oxy/actylene setup would due to flame structure/heat etc?

Cheers,

MM

 

[hotrodder]

Just to clarify, i am guessing that the oxy/turbo gas route still won't allow gas welding like an oxy/actylene setup would due to flame structure/heat etc?

Cheers,

MM

They're more than hot enough (temp wise) to melt steel, limited in terms of BTUs compared to full size oxy gear (tips sizes/material thickness etc) and yep, acetylene is kinda unique in 2 regards... it produces more BTUs in it's primary flame relative to the secondary than all the alternatives (heat focus) and the O2 for the secondary flame comes from the atmosphere not the cylinder i.e. you get a CO2 shielding effect protecting the molten weldpool. For brazing you have flux and heat focus is less of a deal

Welding aside the biggest problem with the 'oxy turbo' type disposible kits is the running cost... the fuel is stored as a liquid so lasts a reasonable amount of time, the O2 is worse than the disposible MIG shielding bottles- similar stupidly short run time but cost even more to buy