Best size for argon bottle for a mig welder?

I just bought a Lincoln HandyMig welder. I need a little help deciding how large a argon bottle I need. I see Scooper bought a 40cf, but he lives close to gas suppliers. I'm about 35-40 miles from the closest supplier, so I need a bottle large enough that I won't run out every other weekend. I figure I will be using it a lot for a while, what with having floorpans to put in the 82 pickup project and a lot of rust repair and floorpans on the 36. I know, buy the biggest I can afford, but there's no sense in buying a 80 cf bottle if a 40 cf will last a good while.

Or would I be better off to just rent a bottle, and return it for a full one every time? Open to any and all suggestions.....

 

Depends on how much your going to use it. A 20lb (small) bottle is fine for most home use set ups...

 

I have a 40 and it last a while.. I exchange mine at tractor supply for around 27 bucks....

 

I do the same, TSC is awesome, plus they are almost always open.

 

I didn't realize Tractor Supply carried them. I'd still be in almost the same boat though, because they are in the same towns that the gas suppliers are, but they do have better hours. I'll have to check them out.

Did you have to buy one from Tractor Supply and then just get it refilled, or swap tanks with them all the time? If I buy one, I'd like to be able to get it filled at any gas supplier instead of being locked into just one source, but if I'm renting, a single source is fine....

Edit: Just went to TSC website, but their explaination is as clear as mud. It says to get in their exchange program, you buy a full cylinder, then take it back and swap an empty for a full one. They're listing a 40cf for $29.99, that has to be the cost of a refill, right? Will I have to buy their 40cf cylinder for $199.99, then swap it + $29.99 more to get a filled one? Why would I want to buy a new cylinder, then swap it for one that's who knows how old? Don't mind sayin' I'm confused.

 

40cf $22 at the AirGas in my area. It fluctuates from time to time. I remember last year it was over 30 bucks to fill it up.


Lasts me about a month or 4-6 small projects.

 

I just bought an 80 cf cylinder from Airgas last week. I own a cylinder but can exchange or refill it when needed. They have many locations including a feed store that is open on weekends. It worked out better for me than a 5 year lease.

 

I own 2 tanks from Air Gas. If your not in the welding business I would suggest rent the bottle/tank. Owning only means not renting which could add up over time. You still exchange the cylinder either way. Some locations can fill the one you bring in but they are all supposed to be inspected and checked so I just let them gimme a different bottle. If it leaks, well I got it from them which has happened before.
I tried to exchange with Home Depot once but they don't use Air Gas so they would not exchange it. They also told me they ONLY exchange them they do not set up rentals or sell them. I would have to establish my self and tank at the local Praxair. So that let me know that not all bottles and establishments will exchange. I suggest go big go close and rent..

 

I'm sorry but what are you guys talking about?air gas?

 

http://www.airgas.com/
Airgas is a vendor.

The one in your city is located at:

1122 W Rosecrans Ave
Gardena, CA
90247

 

I think you pay a small deposit on your 1st one, then just swap when you need a full bottle....

 

runnnin' out?

Hope you don't mind this little tangent, but how can you tell when you're running out of gas? Does the gas stop coming out altogether, or does it start to slow down, and fail to provide the same amount of pressure at a given setting? Thanks. John B

 

That makes sense! I'm gonna check out TSC today in person and see if I can get some sense out of them. I'll probably end up talking to the blonde chick [you know which one, lol] and end up more confused than ever!

 

That's a good question John. Being new to a bottle welder myself, I was wondering the same thing, figured I'd find out when it happened. My welder came with a regulator, but no gauges. Guess that's something else to buy.......

 

That's what gauges are for...