Welding gas - how big of a bottle?

[nvrenuf]

Ok, I wanted to be one of the cool guys and got a Lincoln 135a mig and want to start welding. My question is - for the average home user how big of a bottle should I get? I've called a local gas supplier and they suggested either a 40cu ft or an 80cu ft. How long do these typically last? All I plan on doing is stuff like a steering brace, maybe some weld on sliders, etc..

 

[walla2k5]

Go with the 80. It will run out fast enough.

 

[Muddytazz]

When I first got my welder I was in the same situation as you. I went and got the 80 right off the bat. It was empty in a weekend took it back on monday and got the biggest bottle they sold which is around 180ish.

 

[nvrenuf]

Holy crap! Sounds like I'm going to need a bigger cart.

 

[Muddytazz]

When you go to get a bottle, try to visualize how much welding you'll be doing now and in the future and look at their bottle sizes. Very minimum size get an 80, but you might want to consider at least one more size bigger.

 

[nvrenuf]

Will do, thanks for the advice.

 

[big83chevy4x4]

when i bought my bottle, i looked at the price and what it cost to fill it. i bought the second to biggest one. im guessing its around 200cf. it cost the same to fill this one as the next size smaller. i get almost twice as much gas for the same price when i run out.

 

[NV_K5]

I went with the smallest bottle because I wanted to stay "portable", the damn thing is alway emtpy and when the money that is never there comes around I'm getting a larger one. (I buy my bottles - not rent)

 

[sandawgk5]

I have a 40 ( it says 50 but only gets filled to 40) and I dont know how long it lasts as on my first bottle I forgot to shut the valve and I bled almost the whole bottle through a small leak somewhere . I did weld for a solid day with it and only used maybe 1/4 of it. I also buy my bottles. The place I work with will also not charge me for hydros when needed since I always buy my gas from them.

Dik