What size tank to get for a MIG?

[aczlan]

Looking at getting a Everlast Power I-MIG 200 in the not too distant future and I am going back and forth on what size tank to get.
I have an Airgas shop on the way to work and a TSC within "striking range" at lunchtime so I will be buying from one of them (probably the Airgas place as they are cheaper). Looking at getting either a 40CF bottle or a 80CF bottle for 75/25 gas.
The 80CF bottle costs $80 more to buy, but only $10 more to refill, so in 4 tanks of the 80CF bottle I will save enough to pay for the larger bottle.
How much gas should I expect to use per pound of wire? Would be nice to get the larger tank, but not if it will take 5 years to go through 4 tanks...

Thanks

Aaron Z

 

[Shield Arc]

I can't imagine having anything smaller than the 250 cf bottles.

 

[CNC Dan]

get the 80cf.
figure your use by dividing your use rate into the tank capacity.

15 cf/hr use and 80cf tank = 80/15= 5.3 hrs. weld time.
Not sure how that works out to pounds of wire though.

In general, get the biggest tank you can handle.

The biggest size my LWS sells was 80cf, so that's what I got. If they would sell the 125cf I might have got that instead.

 

[aczlan]

I can't imagine having anything smaller than the 250 cf bottles.

You also do a little bit more welding than we will be doing...

get the 80cf.
figure your use by dividing your use rate into the tank capacity.
15 cf/hr use and 80cf tank = 80/15= 5.3 hrs. weld time.
Not sure how that works out to pounds of wire though.
In general, get the biggest tank you can handle.
The biggest size my LWS sells was 80cf, so that's what I got. If they would sell the 125cf I might have got that instead.

Thanks. Looks like Tractor Supply sells a 125CF tank for $320ish. Not sure I will be going through enough gas to make that pay off...

Aaron Z

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I'd recommend no less than 125. It's not practical, and you'll likely be using closer to 20 or 25 cfh in real world conditions with MIG. That's not a lot of welding, a couple days or so. It goes a lot quicker than you think...and when you see 500 lbs show up "magically" on your gauge on the weekend, you'll get plenty nervous.

 

[CNC Dan]

whatever you get be sure to save your receipt. If you ever have to have it filled someplace else, they might not sell that size and might give you a hard time. I've heard of some places that will try to "confiscate"(steel) your tanks as if they were missing lease only tanks.

 

[Clint S]

Depends on how much you weld. I just fix a few things every now and then. No real fabricating so to speak. Maybe go through 3 to 4 40 cf tanks a year. My gas supplier is open 6 days a week and a few minutes away. He just swaps out the tanks. I keep a spool of flux cored wire for emergency. Again though, if I fire my welder up twice a month I am lucky and then it is only to fix a bracket or weld a nut on a striped head.

 

[kennyd]

IMHO the 80's are a good size for the hobby weldor. Easy to handle, don't take up so much vertical storage space and last a decent amount of time. I personally own three of them.

 

[Arc weld]

A 125 is a good size but don't go below an 80. Compare the cost of refills and you'll find there's very little difference. The reason is because it is the same labour to hook up a small cyl. to fill as a large one.

 

[Ken45101]

A 125 is a good size but don't go below an 80. Compare the cost of refills and you'll find there's very little difference. The reason is because it is the same labour to hook up a small cyl. to fill as a large one.

I agree. I think I've refilled my 125 3 or 4 times in the year I've had it. I wouldn't want to go smaller.