Hello from the Scottish Borders!

[BlindInTexas]

Hello all, I am Kris and i reside in Hawick (In the Scottish Borders). I am pretty new to welding so i thought i would join here and see if i can pick up a few tips and tricks. Most of the welding i have to do is automotive ( welding up friends car floors, exhausts and meany bits and bobs on my off roader). I am on the lookout for a cheaper way of buying gas (currently paying for those disposable cylinders which last seconds and are around £20 a go). My off roader requires a fair bit of welding for its next mot so any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks for taking the time to read my first post,
Kris

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Welcome, im Jim, from Sauchie, work in Grangemouth and migrate to Clovenfords at the weekend

 

[BlindInTexas]

Nice to meet you Jim! I see you are a fellow biker! I have recently just restored/rebuilt an old Honda Superdream 125 I am still on l plates though which sucks a bit....

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

A bike is a bike, L plates or not, I had more fun on my Cagiva mito 125 than any other bike iv had

 

[BlindInTexas]

Very true. I do love my wee bike. The Suzuki Vitara off roader seems to get used much more though. I am always lugging tools about in it. I saw you said in my other post that you said there was a hobby weld supplier in Hawick? were you meaning the place in Bonchester?

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

yeh never used that one, I get my argon from hobby weld, but up at home, and my Argosheild from BOC, but hobby weld is decent if you don't want to rent!

 

[BlindInTexas]

Yeah i am on there web page just now. seems like the best way to go for me. Im guessing i need a bigger or different regulator for these bottles?

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

you need a an argon mix reg that has a 5/8" BSP Male thread

 

[BlindInTexas]

great. you really are a star! all i have to do is get hold of a reg that will attach to my gas tube

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Yeh there are plenty for sale on internet,

http://www.weldequip.com/argon-regulator-se.htm
That's what u need for hobby weld, a side entry one, and if u don't mind an extra tenner id get a flow meeter to will hilp you set up no end!

 

[BlindInTexas]

great thanks jim. I already have a nozzle ball type flow meter, i use it to set up every time. also with these bigger bottles can you leave the regulator screwed in when not in use or is it advised to remove them to prevent leaking? I used plumbers thread tape to make the seal a bit better on my disposable cylinders.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

yeh you can leave it screwed in when not at use just shut the valve on the bottle and wind the reg out (you don't need to wind the reg out bit it jeeps the diaphragm in good nick) as for tape, you don't need any on a Argon mix reg, if you have a leak the reg or the bottle have a problem