Welding Tips and Tricks

I have two argon cylinders, an 80 and a 20. I exchange them for refills every so often. The smaller is my back up but when I switch them over, the setup malfunctions and it leaks.

Question: would you trade these two cylinders for the next larger size, a #4 (125) if they are willing?

I don’t see how having a single larger bottle will solve your setup problems. Can you be more specific about what the actual problem is?

cj737 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 03, 2024 9:01 am I don’t see how having a single larger bottle will solve your setup problems. Can you be more specific about what the actual problem is?

Just to get rid of an extra cylinder. Would this be a fair trade or a loss?

If your shop space is so small that the extra cylinder is a problem, then trade up to a 300. But if you ever run out/low and can't get more, youre stuck. With a spare cylinder, you'll likely always have enough to get through a weekend/holiday with gas when its needed.

To each their own-

But that still doesnt explain why your setup fails after a bottle switch???

My thoughts, too. I have 2 medium cylinders. It's worth paying the rent on them annually, as I got stuck without gas on two separate weekends and couldn't do much of anything. I vowed not to let that happen again.

It's the loss of gas that's an issue - you've got a bad connection if you're leaking. Are you thinking there's something wrong with the bottle itself? I've found it's usually my technique putting things together that lets gas leak.

Don't trade them for a 125. Lots of those are leased or rentals. Trade for a 150, because those are all customer-owned so you know you're safe. Plus, a 150 is almost exactly the same cost to fill as a 125 and you get 20% more gas.