Where can you get welding gas and how much should you pay? - water welder (2023)

FAQs

How much does a bottle of argon cost? ›

Argon gas cylinders are considered the most expensive, with prices going up to $350 for a new cylinder. This is due to the cost of mining and collecting the gas.

For MIG short-circuit welding it's recommended to use a 25 to 35 cubic feet per hour (cfh) gas flow rate. TIG welding typically runs a lower flow rate, while MIG processes using other transfer modes (other than short-circuit transfer) can run slightly higher than 35 cfh.

For new welders, $15–$20 per hour is the average. Lower pricing is great if you're just beginning and need experience. Once you have a few years of experience, you can begin charging between $20-$30 per hour. As you advance in years of experience, the rate rises.

So for the small additional costs of having argon-filled windows compared to air-filled windows, you'll enjoy lower energy bills, a more comfortable home, and a beautiful view without condensation. Homeowners can use argon gas in double-pane windows to improve energy efficiency and reduce condensation.

In an average goldsmith's workshop, one filling of a 10-liter bottle will last for about 6 to 12 months, depending on how intensively welding is done with the PUK.

Cylinder Details

2.2Ltr Argon gas bottle (220 Litre) offers up to 55 minutes of welding time at 4Ltr/Min (gas flow rate)or 30minutes use at 6ltr/Min.

Active gases are used for Mig Welding most metals (except Aluminium and Mig Brazing, where pure Argon is used). Co2 is the lowest cost of the Active Gases, but is far from the best. Co2 produces a cooler, coarser, more spattery arc and a marginally harder weld.

Argon or argon/helium mixtures can be used for welding all grades. However, small additions of oxygen (O2) or carbon dioxide (CO2) are usually needed to stabilize the arc, improve the fluidity and improve the quality of the weld deposit.

How Long Does Welding Gas Last? How much welding time you'll get per bottle will depend on the flow rate you set on the regulator. The setting is usually between 10 and 40 cubic feet per hour (cfh) depending on the work environment. You'll need a higher flow rate to maintain shielding gas protection in a windy area.

Argon. For companies that place an emphasis on weld quality, appearance and reducing post-weld clean up, a mixture of between 75 – 95 percent Argon and 5 – 25 percent CO2 may be the best option. It will provide a more desirable combination of arc stability, puddle control and reduced spatter than pure CO2.

What do most welders charge per hour? ›

The national average hourly rate for welding services ranges from $65–$125, often with a minimum service fee to cover overhead and transportation. Most welding shops charge an hourly rate for services, particularly if they're doing straightforward jobs or pipeline work.

Stick welding is very versatile, inexpensive to start, and easy to learn. It can be used on a variety of metal alloys.

How much does an Entry Level Welder make? As of Feb 15, 2023, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Welder in the United States is $33,368 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $16.04 an hour. This is the equivalent of $641/week or $2,780/month.

Argon gas bottle sizes (argon bottle sizes) include G2, E2 & D argon bottle sizes- welding bottle sizes, argon cylinder capacity & argon gas bottle dimensions. Argon cylinder capacity is 2.0 m³ for a D size cylinder, 4.1 m³ for an E2 size cylinder and 10.2 m³ for a G2 size cylinder.

Buy Compressed Argon Gas or Liquid Argon (Ar)

We offer argon gas and liquid argon (Ar) in a variety of purities and concentrations. See the chart below and download the spec sheets and safety data sheets for more information on buying argon gas and liquid argon.

Argon is the cheaper option on the market. Its thermal conductivity is two-thirds that of air, making it an attractive option. Krypton is a more expensive option but also has better insulating properties, and better reduces heat transfer in your energy efficient windows.

There are two instances where argon is superior to nitrogen. Arc welding, where nitrogen becomes reactive in the presence of the electric arc, and in window insulation where argon has a much lower thermal conductivity than nitrogen. In almost all other uses of the gases, nitrogen is the better choice.

Disadvantages of Argon

One of the biggest problems with Argon gas is that it increases its presence in the air when in use. Argon is denser than air, which can become a problem. To avoid this, make sure to use Argon outside or in a space with a lot of ventilation.

In summary, it is possible to stick steel together using a good MIG welder with 100% Argon shielding gas. But, you end up with a shoddy-looking, weak, brittle weld. What is this? If you need a strong, quality weld, 100% Argon is NOT a good choice for MIG welding steel.

The standard only permits compressed gas cylinders to be horizontal for short durations when they are being hoisted or carried. Accordingly, using compressed gas cylinders horizontally is not permissible under the standard.

Where do you store argon? ›

Store away from direct sunlight in a dry, cool and well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials (see Section 10). Cylinders should be stored upright, with valve protection cap in place, and firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Cylinder temperatures should not exceed 52 °C (125 °F).

The easiest and safest way to determine the contents of a gas cylinder at your business is by checking the label. The cylinder labels will tell you everything you need to know about the gas specifications inside the cylinder, the potential hazards and safety warnings.

Store cylinders in a clearly identified, dry, well-ventilated storage area that is not exposed to heat or the direct rays of the sun, and away from doorways, aisles, elevators, gangways, and stairs. Post "no smoking" signs in the area.

Cylinders should be stored preferably in the open air on a concrete or load-bearing surface. Flammable liquids, combustible, corrosive, oxidising materials, toxic materials or compressed gas cylinders should be kept separate from LPG containers in general. Containers should be stored with their valves uppermost.

The 75/25 mix of Argon and CO2 is chosen most often as it delivers consistent results, ensures arc stability, maintains puddle control, and has low spatter. The mixture also allows for spray transfer. This makes the welding process easier, more productive, and yields visually appealing results.

CO2 (carbon dioxide)

In MIG welding, carbon dioxide is the most common reactive gas. It's the only gas you can use in its pure form without adding a noble gas. carbon dioxide is also the cheapest among the shielding gases, making it an appealing choice when material costs are the top priority.

Argon is the cheapest noble gas and thus the most frequently used. In applications insensitive to chemical reactions with nitrogen, even nitrogen gas (N₂) may be used as inert gas.

Steel is the easiest metal to weld, hence why it is the most popular form of metal for welding. In fact, carbon steel is the cheapest metal to buy on the market. Steel welding often involves stick welding, MIG welding, and tig welding.

Pipe welders will always be in high demand as long as the demand for fuel and other resources is high. Many pipe welders work on oil rigs and refineries. These facilities comprise the majority of the oil and gas industry.

Excellent Welding Quality: Acetylene is the hottest fuel gas when combined with oxygen. In the right applications, this makes acetylene ideal for welding different steel materials.

Does welding expire? ›

Since welding certifications expire every six months for most codes, three months for others, it is essential that maintenance forms and continuity records are submitted promptly to avoid costly re-testing for certification.

Even under normal temperatures, frost can develop on a gas cylinder regulator. The frost that develops during normal weather is the result of condensation. However, during the winter, regulators can become frozen both inside and out. Frozen regulators can block the flow of gas completely.

The process of welding gas or diesel tanks can be extremely dangerous. There is the possibility of igniting fuel vapors, and if the welder is using the welding process of MIG or TIG inside a fuel storage tank, they are in danger of suffocating from fumes if argon gas is used.

TIG welding is often considered the strongest weld since it produces extreme heat, and the slow cooling rate results in high tensile strength and ductility. MIG is also an excellent candidate for the strongest type of weld because it can create a strong joint.

Pipe welding is considered one of the more difficult processes for welders to master. In order to pass pipe welding tests, you must be able to join two cylindrical metal pipes together utilizing shielded metal arc welding or any number of other methods.

The gas for aluminium welding can be argon or helium. These two gases are used pure or mixed. Pure argon is the most popular.

Welders work full-time and often must work overtime. They can work up to 10 hours a day if needed. They primarily work outdoors and are exposed to hazardous situations on a daily basis. They may work in confined spaces, on scaffolding, or in inclement weather.

Work Schedules

Most welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Many manufacturing firms have two or three 8- to 12-hour shifts each day, allowing the firm to continue production around the clock if needed.

MIG Welding (Beginner)

MIG welders are among the best type for beginners, as they're designed with a wire welding electrode on a spool that is fed at a pre-selected speed through a welding gun. As a semi-automatic or automatic process, gas metal arc welding (GMAW or MIG), is the easiest to learn.

MIG welding (metal inert gas welding) is often considered the easiest type of welding for a beginner to learn. MIG welders have a wire welding electrode on a spool which is then fed through a welding gun at a preselected speed.

How long does it take to learn basic welding? ›

A welding program may last just a few weeks or take up to six months to complete. A school for welding will cover welding theory and welding basics to arm students with the skills they need to start work upon completion. They will learn how to use welding equipment safely, read blueprints and complete work orders.

In surveys by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, most entry level welders earn a starting pay near $17 per hour. Like any profession, experience will lead to higher wages. It has been my experience that welders with an average of five years' experience are reporting pay of 30 dollars per hr. and more.

In an average goldsmith's workshop, one filling of a 10-liter bottle will last for about 6 to 12 months, depending on how intensively welding is done with the PUK.

Active gases are used for Mig Welding most metals (except Aluminium and Mig Brazing, where pure Argon is used). Co2 is the lowest cost of the Active Gases, but is far from the best. Co2 produces a cooler, coarser, more spattery arc and a marginally harder weld.

A couple of things. Your flow rate is usually set from 10-20 cfh which on average if you had a 250 cf bottle would last for 10-20 hours of welding non stop. That would work out to about 2-4 days of serious welding. HOWEVER our regulators measure in lpm, not cfh!

Argon is inexpensive, since it occurs naturally in air and is readily obtained as a byproduct of cryogenic air separation in the production of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen: the primary constituents of air are used on a large industrial scale.

But the three main sizes a homeowner, or hobby welder will most likely use is the 40, 80, or 125 cubic feet (“cf”) tanks of Argon or MIG gas mixture (75% Argon, 25% CO2). What is this? The largest of the three sizes provides plenty of use time without sacrificing too much portability.

Most cylinders are required to be tested every 5 years.

There are two other markings which are sometimes found on these cylinders. The plus (+) sign located after the test date designates that the cylinder can be filled to 10% above the pressure stamped on the cylinder.

Argon is the most commonly used inert gas for the TIG welding process. This is a top pick amongst welders because it can be used on metals such as mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Versatility is key in this industry. An Argon and Helium mixture can be used in both TIG and MIG welding.

While it's technically impossible to MIG weld without gas, it's very possible to weld without lugging a gas cylinder and other equipment around. Self-shielding welding with flux core wire is a great option for many hobby users, and with the right welding supplies you can achieve great results!

Can you store argon bottles laying down? ›

Section 1926.350(a)(9) provides that compressed gas cylinders must be secured in an upright position, regardless of whether they are in use or in storage.

An inert gas is a gas that is unreactive in its environment. The noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon) are considered inert in most applications. Argon is the cheapest noble gas and thus the most frequently used.

Its outer shell is full with eight electrons. Under standard conditions argon is an odorless and colorless gas. It is also an inert gas, meaning that it typically doesn't react with other elements to form compounds. When argon is excited by a high voltage electric field it glows in a violet color.