we we're running into too many "bad tanks" of gas with the standard GAS cylinders. so, we installed a pure Liquid Argon system awhile back.

here ya go:

http://cheapturbo.stores.yahoo.net/shga10liar.html

Ken

 

We are using that over at lonestar racing, it really does make a difference in overall weldability. Good stuff!

 

Nice. How does the price of filling that compare versus a per bottle system? What type of pressure do you reduce that to before it enters the copper? Do you have to worry about condensation in the piping or is it pretty dry coming out of the tank?

 

isn't it at least double the cost?

i used to use that in air craft. guess i never thought that it was the gas, i always thought it was my crappy welding lol.

***** pretty baller though.

 

I put in some inquiries today to see pricing. I was told by our gas supplier that the 5000 cu ft tanks cost around $500 to fill. That is just slightly higher then our current gas prices @ 28.50/250cu ft argon. I was also told (although not confirmed yet), that the actual tanks are like $5k without the manifolds and hardware. That's not horrible if you consider that a 250 cu ft argon bottle is about $270 empty here, but its definitely expensive. Willing to share some pricing detail?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRMB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice. How does the price of filling that compare versus a per bottle system? What type of pressure do you reduce that to before it enters the copper? Do you have to worry about condensation in the piping or is it pretty dry coming out of the tank?</TD></TR></TABLE>


I actually don't deal with all the pricing details here anymore... However, I do remember our gas rep. explaining that it is a bit more costly per cuft and of course the install and cylinder itself weren't cheap either..

I made the decision for us to switch to liquid based solely on the fact that it is a cleaner shielding gas and will provide a better end product for our customers.

We do also appreciate the fact that we no longer have to change argon tanks constantly.

the system is pressurized at 300psi at all times and specialized "dryer" fittings are used to break the liquid down to a gas instantly. so, condensation is not a problem.

Ken

 

LOL,
I just filled my 125 cu ft bottle for $129.00. I have a 250 but they dont even have a refill station on this island so I cant get it filled. When I lived in Phoenix I used to fill the 250 for about $70.00. I hate it here.

 

Just from a safety perspective its superior. We were looking at adding another 5 bottles, to bring us up to 10. Thats a lot of square footage for cylinders, and a lot of risk. You figure one falls and goes off, you got 9 more for it to run into. Interestingly, a different welding supplier told me the 5000cu tanks are only about $1500, today, and they swap it not fill on site. Will be nice to see some nailed down pricing.

 

I've used the liquid argon before, Honestly as far as weld quality goes you are really only going to notice a decent advantage if you shielding and welding practices are already subpar. Large size gas lenses, correct gas flow and proper bottle filling and emptying techniques are often overlooked. For example, don't run your tanks right empty, ever, if you do and your gas supplier doesn't vacuum your tank out the next fill will be contaminated. Most filler don't bother checking. I wouldn't mind switching to liquid argon purely for the lack of switching bottles all the time, as for a weld quality gain I just haven't noticed much.

As for safety, I have seen bottles land on their tops before with the caps on and they were fine, had to cut the cap off with a zip disk but the whole situation could have been avoided with some care.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dave@passenger &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> proper bottle filling and emptying techniques </TD></TR></TABLE>

we wanted to eliminate all variables out of our control.

this new system is fully sealed and the telemetry notifies the gas supplier when the cylinder is needing a fill-up. they never let it run below 20%.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PPLH8R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">LOL,
I just filled my 125 cu ft bottle for $129.00. I have a 250 but they dont even have a refill station on this island so I cant get it filled. When I lived in Phoenix I used to fill the 250 for about $70.00. I hate it here.</TD></TR></TABLE>

hahaha Aka, I remember you telling me that... crazy.

when are you moving back again?

 

The way the economy is I dont think I will be able to move back for a long time.
I wish I never left.

 

so i checked with my supplier the other day. he mentioned that the argon precentage on the bottles they provide was like 99.95%, where the pure argon bottles were somthing like 99.999%.

doesn't really seem like that much of a difference. he did mention the mishandling with the bottles is usually the problem with bad tanks. the fact that some people forget to put vaccume on the bottle.

so the real benifit is the fact that you don't have to switch bottles?

i'm all for that, but we are only opperating with 3 336 bottles and 2 150 bottles, so i'm not really seeing the need right now.

he mention $500~$700 a month to rent this system, does this sound right?

 

500-700/mo for a sub 5k system indefinitely? Financial suicide..