Start up cost---- Tanks--????

Charley I want one of the new auto set migs---something like Esab 210 or a Miller 180
 
November X-ray said:
Paul, might you remember way back when as long as you bought the content gas from a supplier, the cylinder was used at no charge! Oh the good old days where pleasing customers and simply making a profit was satisfactory instead of the heck with everyone and just making a killing all of the time now! Of course mostly everyone only worked five days a week back then and all the stores closed if not by mid day on Saturday at least by late afternoon and all were closed on Sunday.
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I'm not Paul, but I surely remember those days well. Too bad they are gone for good.
 
The good old days are really gone and have been gone for at least 30 years.

Paul
 
Tank update--- talked with the folks over at TSC this morning---- I want two tanks----one Oxygen and a Argon tank. They are talking about $700.00 for the set. I also did a CL search and there aint any tanks within 250.00 miles of me. Looks like I keep hunting. I am thinking I want to go with the TSC Thoroughbred tanks, they look like the best over all deal.
 
Gary,
I have been very happy with my thorough bred tanks, and the capability to exchange on Sundays makes running out of gas on a weekend a minor inconvenience rather than a disaster. Keep track of your ownership papers because I have heard some folks have issues, but I have never had an issue with either of my local TSC's. I can also switch back and forth between 75/25 and pure argon and any other gas as long as the tanke values are the same. That I think depends a lot on the store and how the management implements tha gas exchange system. Mine strongly supports that so I have the fortune of getting support all of the time. Plus I have never had to pay for a tank hydro either. Just another perk and it makes the local Airgas and Praxair be more competative too. Good luck and hope it works out well for you also.
Bob
 
Gary, I don't know how much welding you intend to do but for the home shop I wouldn't get anything smaller than a 55cu tank. We had a helluva hard time getting anyone to refill/swap our 40cu Tri-mix so we bit the bullet and upgraded to a 55cu. Now it's easy to swap with just about any welding supply place and the cost is only a few dollars more than the 40. Don't know how it is elsewhere but this is in New Jersey.
 
Gary,
As an aside to the tank thread, what welder have you been considering? If your budget allows you might want to avoid the inexpensive 110V wire welders since they aren't really suitable for much besides sheet metal. I have a MM 210 with a 3035 spool gun and do .035 solid and flux wire as well as mig alluminum with the spool gun and pure argon. The diff in price for even the Hobart 230 or the Millers/lincolns are well worth the capability. Anf the domestic units have nearby service centers who will get your stuff back quick if you have a warranty need. The imports are still suffering from some serious durability and engineering issues that makes shipping warranty units back to Cali cost prohibitive over time. Just a thought.....
Bob
 
Normally, I don't care much about country of origin, and have little to say about it. BUT, in the case of machinery, you can nearly always rework an import to get acceptable quality work off of it, if you are willing to spend the time cleaning and aligning, possibly upgrading bearings....thinks like that. With a cheap welding machine, there's not a lot you can do to make it substantially better, and therefore a better machine. I have to draw the line on most of the low level import welding machines. I believe a person would be far, far better off waiting and saving for a heavier, second hand machine from a reputable maker who can support you with advice and service when/if necessary, locally when possible.

Tanks aren't that expensive here. At least I don't believe so. I bought mine some time back and don't remember what I paid, but it sure wasn't $350 per, that I remember. There's a lot of welding business in East Texas, so maybe the volume is helping keep the prices down. There is also a lot of competition in the suppliers. That helps too.
 
I use Indiana Oxygen Co for all my welder purchases except my Hypertherm. Those folks are great. They have about the best no haggle prices around, ship to your door for NO Charge freight on 99% of their stuff and back up the warranty if you have any issues. They carry Miller, Thermal Arc and Lincoln as well as Smith and Harris. All round good folks and always eager to please when I was buying a lot of equipment a few years ago. IIRC the last Miller I bought was the MM210 and it cost me 1377 from IOC and retail was around 1700 with an average of 1500 in the shops. Don't hold me to those too closely, but I think that was where I ended up on the wire machine. Look up Welding Supplies at IOC on the web and Ebay. Their banner is a green and white checkered flag type pattern. Worth a look if you haven't commited already. They drop ship from Millers wharehouse in Atlanta and have it to you in about 3 days where youre at I believe.
Bob
 
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