Hello

[400-ascona]

I have been welding cars for some years on and off. I started with a mig I bought from the Milk Man (I don't think he regularly sold them from his milk float!). I had a couple of SIP units and was never overly enamered with them. I have now been out and bought a Butters AMT 181 (actually the Wife has bought it for my Brithday) as I have quite a bit of welding of the horizon (Lotus Carlton inner arch, Carlton GSi 24v arch, full rebuild on my Ascona 400 and some work on a Daimler V8 250).

So to my first question. What spec of tip do I need to search for on the internet to suit the Butters euro torch? They are considerably bigger than anything I have used in the past, and the one currently fitted is a 0.8, and I want to drop to 0.6.

Second question has probably been answered a million times, but what is the best place to get Argon CO2 bottle from. Previously I had a bottle from BOC, but as they started regularly upping the price, and then got rid of the 5 years lease deal I refused to deal with them any longer. I don't mind a reasonable outlay in the first place for the bottle, but would prefer to be able to keep for as long as I need it and only pay for refills. I live in Derby in the East midlands so any recommendations would be appreciated.

Rob.

As an after thought, I also have an oxy/acetylene kit I was given a few years ago which has no gas left. Would it be possible get the bottles refilled/swapped somewhere? I think its the porta pak style kit.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi Rob, welcome to the forum.
The torch is most likely to be a standard MB15 on that one, I wouldn't imagine it's fitted with anything bigger though it could possibly be an MB25 which is the next size up.
Regarding gas supplies, here's an interactive map of non-rental suppliers along with a list, there may be someone nearby.

 

[mantakev]

Hello, nice to see another Opel enthusiast on here
I am also staying away from BOC as i have a local gas supplier in Burnley who does the CO2 bottles, pub size but not from a pub
Nice MIG

 

[400-ascona]

Hi Rob, welcome to the forum.
The torch is most likely to be a standard MB15 on that one, I wouldn't imagine it's fitted with anything bigger though it could possibly be an MB25 which is the next size up.
Regarding gas supplies, here's an interactive map of non-rental suppliers along with a list, there may be someone nearby.

Thanks. Will give Energas a go who look to be just the other side of Derby. I figured out the tips are M6 thread so I have ordered 5 0.6mm ones. The reason I was confused is it has an adaptor on it.

Thanks for the advice.

Rob.

 

[400-ascona]

Hello, nice to see another Opel enthusiast on here
I am also staying away from BOC as i have a local gas supplier in Burnley who does the CO2 bottles, pub size but not from a pub
Nice MIG

My first car was an Ascona because I alway's wanted a Manta. I eventually bought myself a met black exclusive coupe, and realised I actually loved the Ascona's! I now have an Ascona 400 road car (non arched), and another 2 door Ascona both of which need serious work (hence the welder!). I also have a Carlton 3.0 24v and a Lotus Carlton (Vauxhalls not Opels).
Got the mig for a good price second hand. It has only seen less than 1 hours welding with the previous owner. Looking forward to getting stuck in when I have finished the extension on my workshop.

Rob.