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Thinking of getting an oxy propane setup to cut panels away from power and use for shrinking, freeing stuck parts etc. realising the shortcoming in the ability to weld steel but happy with mig for that.

Not sure about the disposable bottles. These usually end up costing more. I need capacity to cut up to ten metres of panel at a fill. Have seen oxygen bottles for outright sale at $200, kits around $300.

Anyone have advice/experience they would like to share?

Cheers
Clay




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Hi Clay,
I did see Bunnings now do oxy & acetelyne (D size) bottles where you pay a deposit and purchase a full bottle. Oxygen is $69 & acetelyne is $99. This way you no longer have to rent cylinders.

I reckon you would still get plenty of heat out of an oxy/propane set up, however I have net used one myself as I have always used on oxy/acetelyne set.

Regards
Stephen

Cheers Stephen. Will check it out. I see total tools have an oxy set for $230 atm.


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If your just using it to cut stuff up or heat, LPG is the way to go!..... I'm paying over $600 per year just in bottle rent at the moment. And that's only two 'E' size bottles for the oxy and one for the Mig.

Thanks guys. Don't want to be paying out rent but sometimes the ought right price is pretty high. Then they charge mor e for a fill as well.


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I've cut thick steel with propane no problems.
If you can get yourself the oxy acetylene. It's a lot more controllable for fine work like shrinking.

bootlegger wrote:I've cut thick steel with propane no problems.
If you can get yourself the oxy acetylene. It's a lot more controllable for fine work like shrinking.

What Dave said.

Oxy/Acetylene (in my opinion) is far more versatile and easier to direct intense heat into a smaller area eg heating a seized nut.

Get a propane set up as well and you will have the best of both worlds and a propane kit costs bugger all.

I have rented E's from BOC for years and am pleased to say my latest oxy and acetylene gases are about to run out together and I will then downsize to Bunnings D size knowing I can go to get gases any time, and you only pay a cylinder deposit which you get back on surrender.

Over the time I have had the E set I have 'donated a shitload to BOC and they won't get any more

When the Argoshield (G) has gone I'm going to buy an E out right and do the swap and go thing. Cylinder rental is daylight robbery !!!

Dave Mac

Cheers Dave
Have to check out the Bunnings deal. Total tools had ought right deal but $500 purchase price put me off. Then they charge double for a fill. Hopefully the lightweight deals will proliferate and price will come down.


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Had a look at Bunnings today. They have oxygen, acetylene and CO2/argon all in D size. $200 deposit per bottle, $69 fill for oxy and $99 for the others.

I recently rented an E of argon from air liquide at $200 for a year. It's around $80 for a fill but twice as much gas.

Doing the math as they say.


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Ok so works out of you use one D per year you break even after a little over three years. Then you're $100 up per year with Bunnings. Plus you can retrieve the $200 deposit. If you use an E per year it is even Stevens except you have $200 tied up on deposit with Bunnings.

Bottom line using less than one E size per year then Bunnings is definitely the go.

Still not sure about laying out $800 plus up front to get oxy when I've got by without it all these years.


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