Just bought a new welder!

[vulcancowboy]

Tractor Supply had the Hobart Handler 140 mig welder on sale for $469.99, plus I got a 10% discount coupon online. Too good to pass up. I want to get a tank of Argon/CO2 gas. What size tank would you recommend (I don't do a lot of welding) and approximately, what is the cost?

:dance1: :dance1: :dance1:

 

[Sodo]

Thats a good machine, good price too.

I have an 80CF, don't remember the cost. I used a 55CF for many years when I was welding less but it seemed like plenty.

I remember when I got my first tank, I asked the salesman, "what size should I buy?" He sorta laughed/smirked and said "How could i possibly know how much you're gonna weld?" Well anyway I was looking for some kind of guidance, thinking he might offer experience in the matter & help me choose a tank, which was the very specific subject at hand. But took the opportunity to use a treasured zinger that he could brag to his buddies about. I guess he was lucky the sale was already done. It's times like those I don't feel guilty buying on the internet.

 

[calman93611]

I have a Hobart 210 w/spoolgun. Originally got a 70 cf cylinder which worked great for me until I had a big project on aluminum so ended up getting a 2nd tank, 125 cf. I would think you should be fine with the 70 cf. Don't know about price, just call up your local welding gas supplier. Sometimes you can find used tanks on craigslist, however, you should check with your welding gas supplier to see they will accept the tank, they may require a hydrostatic test or require that you sign a paper saying you bought this tank from a private party.

 

[Big Barn]

In my area, the largest I could buy without leasing was 80cu ft.



Can't remember the price but my same size argon tanks were just under$300 with the first fill.
65 cu footers are around $200.

Terry

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

That's a great welder, you'll be very happy with it. Just make sure you have a 20A circuit to plug it into to take full advantage of it. I've had the same one for 15 yrs now. My tank is the Q size ( I think ) and runs about $250 for the tank and $75 for the fill at my local TSC. I'm sure regional prices and suppliers makes a big difference in price.

 

[s219]

That is an awesome price! I have been real impressed with my Hobart 140 so far. I have only been using flux core, and it's been fantastic. Seems way easier that I remember stick welding being 20+ years ago.

 

[JimRB]

At one welding supply house they said to a customer "Buy a tank. If you find it is too small just trade it in on a bigger tank. You get the price paid to the bigger tank." I have a 4 foot tall tank I use with my Handler 140. It lasts a good while as little as I weld. Here is a thread with a picture at the bottom of the thread. What size gas cylinder?

 

[Sodo]

Thanks Jim, thats a good pic.

I copied it into TBN with "insert image" (copy from URL)

 

[vulcancowboy]

Great info, thanks guys!

 

[BukitCase]

Right now you may think you won't weld much - but there's a good chance when you find out what you can do and how much fun it is, that might change.

Whether it does or not, consider BUYING the biggest tank they will let you in your area (here in Oregon, my LWS will sell whatever size you want - other areas limit you.) My smallest (backup) tank is 120 cf, the rest are 250's or (acetylene) 330.

Either way, leasing SUCKS. Even more if you REALLY don't weld much, since you're paying rent on the tank whether you're emptying it once a week or once every 5 YEARS

If you OWN the tank, the only cost after initial purchase is when you FILL it. Then you just swap for another (full) tank.

If I had leased my industrial size Oxy and Acetylene tanks, (bought in 1979 for $350/pr) I would have spent over $2000 on leasing, PLUS refill costs. Bet you could find something else to spend $1700 on that's more fun than watching tanks sit around

Just something to consider... Steve