Hobbyweld versus SGS - thoughts please.

[Paul D63]

As the title - currently have BOC Argoshield light, size Y. But as an occasional user, paying a yearly rental but only needing a refill every few years no longer makes sense - I think rent-free would work out cheaper in the long run. But neither website gives gas prices - Hobbyweld state their (refundable) deposit for a 20L bottle at £110, but say to contact the agent for refill prices. SGS say the same for all prices. I know agents can charge their own prices but generally is there much to choose between them? I have agents for both fairly close, but the SGS one is a motor factors, and some have said they're generally dearer for refills than some others?

I've also read elsewhere on here that SGS fill nominally to 200 bar, but rarely achieve that, whereas Hobbyweld claim to fill to 230. That could be a significant difference on a 20L fill.

Any thoughts?

 

[addjunkie]

As a low user I didn't think there was much difference with mig gas, but though the deposit is high, I find for Argon, hobby weld 300bar cheaper, per litre of gas. Ring your local distributors, get prices, and work out cost per unit.

 

[striker]

I use 20litre argon for my tig. I use SGS. Never 200bar. Usually 180/190.
Check out Facebook marketplace. Non rental no deposit 50l cylinders on there sometimes for £100 to £150. Might try these myself next.

 

[hotponyshoes]

As said, dealers set the prices so there is no way to tell for sure unless you get prices from both and do the maths.
When I did the maths, hobbyweld was a higher upfront cost but cheaper per litre of gas used.

 

[mike 109444]

Don't forget that with your 1st bott;e of SGS you can as a forum member clame a few quid back Via Alan (a member and owner of SGS).

 

[daedalusminos]

Also note that you may not get 100% of your deposit back : I think Hobbyweld is something like 80%

 

[Farside]

Also note that you may not get 100% of your deposit back : I think Hobbyweld is something like 80%

There's also the sharp practice of reducing the returnable deposit as the years pass.
Shoddy business. I'll never deal with an outlet that does that trick.

 

[500e]

I think SGS give you the deposit back at the time you first bought/rented it, not at present price which I think is fair, so pays to keep original bill & remember the cylinders have a finite life
I notice the pressure is not always 200bar sometimes 180 others 230 bar Same gauge in workshop it may not be accurate but shows variation

 

[Shedendman]

I didnt get the full deposit back on a bottle of Oxy from Hobbyweld,have to dig out the receipt but lost 9 quid i think on restocking charge

 

[chrismac]

Personally, I used adams gas, pub gas zize bottles, I cant remember the size, 9L maybe, I changed to BOC rent free, but annual payments, its just the lack of volume in the pub size that was hopeless of you wanted a weekends welding, and that was being miserable with the gas I used the bottle!

More Gas in the BOC but typically not used it much this year!!

 

[zzr1200]

Adams gas list prices.

Bottled Gas Suppliers | Gas Cylinder Suppliers | Adams Gas

Are you looking for bottled gas suppliers? At Adams Gas, we stock a huge variety of gas cylinders and offer a brilliant bottle gas refilling service too.

adamsgas.co.uk

 

[EBME2]

My local supplier isn’t a million miles from you £78+vat for 20l for SGS.

ARGON/CO2 MIX REFILL - Express Cutting & Welding Services Limited

Your one stop shop for cutting, welding & tool requirements

www.expressweld.co.uk

 

[Turbo]

Hobbyweld bottles used to be 137 bar, have they changed?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Hobbyweld bottles used to be 137 bar, have they changed?

They vary depending on type/size
The ultra is 300 bar

 

[Cobbler]

Hobbyweld bottles used to be 137 bar, have they changed?

Recently changed an Adams Gas one & it was 200 bar, previously always been 137 bar.

 

[Paul D63]

It's a bloody minefield isn't it?

Checked with the local motor factor SGS agent today: for the 20L argon/5% CO2 it's basically just over £200 initial cost, which breaks down as £120 deposit on the bottle then £81 for the gas. The Hobbyweld website states £110 deposit (which you get back less a tenner admin fee when you return it), but am awaiting a response from their local agent for the gas cost. The other consideration between these two I guess is fill pressure: Hobbyweld claim 230 bar, but everyone on here seems to say SGS is generally only around 180 bar?

I looked at Adams Gas, their prices seem pretty keen... sadly, their nearest agent is about 40 miles away, which would probably negate any potential savings.

Someone mentioned FB marketplace: had a look on there, and there is a place that will sell you a 50L bottle full of gas for £150 with, apparently, no rental or deposit costs. That suggests to me that you basically own the bottle if you get one from them, as they say there's no need to return it to them. Which makes me wonder how they can do that for the price? I guess that £150 isn't much more than you'd pay most places just to fill a 50L bottle? However, again, they're about 100 miles away, and it's collection only...

 

[addjunkie]

It's a bloody minefield isn't it?

Checked with the local motor factor SGS agent today: for the 20L argon/5% CO2 it's basically just over £200 initial cost, which breaks down as £120 deposit on the bottle then £81 for the gas. The Hobbyweld website states £110 deposit (which you get back less a tenner admin fee when you return it), but am awaiting a response from their local agent for the gas cost. The other consideration between these two I guess is fill pressure: Hobbyweld claim 230 bar, but everyone on here seems to say SGS is generally only around 180 bar?

I looked at Adams Gas, their prices seem pretty keen... sadly, their nearest agent is about 40 miles away, which would probably negate any potential savings.

Someone mentioned FB marketplace: had a look on there, and there is a place that will sell you a 50L bottle full of gas for £150 with, apparently, no rental or deposit costs. That suggests to me that you basically own the bottle if you get one from them, as they say there's no need to return it to them. Which makes me wonder how they can do that for the price? I guess that £150 isn't much more than you'd pay most places just to fill a 50L bottle? However, again, they're about 100 miles away, and it's collection only...

Is that last one collection only no receipt, no paperwork, cash only?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Facebook marketplace etc only works out cheaper if it's a branded bottle that you can take to an agent for a refill.

Not cheaper if the bottle has been painted over, filled by piggyback to 160b and the seller has vanished by February when you need to refill it.

Nothing wrong with buying one of the rental cylinders either empty or part full. I've both bought and sold a few of these. Generally because the original invoice is lost and you can't get the deposit back without it.

 

[Paul D63]

Is that last one collection only no receipt, no paperwork, cash only?

Err... dunno - seems likely though doesn't it? As said above, I guess you won't know the quality of it, or the fill pressure, until you get it home...

 

[striker]

Facebook marketplace etc only works out cheaper if it's a branded bottle that you can take to an agent for a refill.

Not cheaper if the bottle has been painted over, filled by piggyback to 160b and the seller has vanished by February when you need to refill it.

Nothing wrong with buying one of the rental cylinders either empty or part full. I've both bought and sold a few of these. Generally because the original invoice is lost and you can't get the deposit back without it.

I dunno, £150 for 50l cylinders filled to 200 bar is a lot cheaper even if you scrap every cylinder after use! No rental, no deposit.