hobart 175

[redrmk]

Thinking about getting a HH175, whats the best deal with the gas? Buy the bottle or rent? I have an old century AC stick for bigger stuff but think the wire would be fun to play around with.

[dda52]

Redrmk,
First of all welcome aboard! To answer your question... kinda depends on how much usage you'll be getting out of your welder.
If you'll be an occasional user, IMO, it's better to buy an 80cf or so. You'll shell out around 90 or so clams and refill under 20. Heavy usage ( more than 3 bottles a month ) may dictate rental. Lots of guys gag at that, but here's why. With every gas co. I've dealt with, the first month or part of a month you get a new bottle, you pay no rent. Rent accrues on the following month. So, if you pick up lots of bottles per month you don't pay rent. Some companies have a min. chg. they charge in that case, some don't. It varies widley from co. to co.. Rental is also a write off if your in business for yourself. Home or hobby use ... not so much without "creative bookkeeping". If you purchase, make sure that they trade cyl's . That way you aren't having to wait around for days for your refill.
Hope this two cents helps.

[dda52]

I think I goofed the tank $$ up. Now that I've thought about it , it seems the 40cf was $85 or so and the 80cf was around $125. Refill on 40 was about $12 and around $20 on the 80cf. Check around your area, no doubt there will be some differences and similarities.

[Sundown]

Good advice from dda52. The situation here is that where I get gas from they won't lease or rent an 80CF, only the 125's and bigger. I have an 80cf (which is think is a good size for a home shop) and when I asked about refills they told me that they would refill mine and give it back to me in 30 mins or less. So far I have never had to wait more than 5 min's. You might ask what their policy is. BTY filled up last Monday, $28.00 (inc tax) out of there in 5 minutes. The bottle was $145 (full) when I got it. I could have saved more money elsewhere, but I like the way these guys do business.

[cope]

Originally posted by Sundown
Good advice from dda52. The situation here is that where I get gas from they won't lease or rent an 80CF, only the 125's and bigger. I have an 80cf (which is think is a good size for a home shop) and when I asked about refills they told me that they would refill mine and give it back to me in 30 mins or less. So far I have never had to wait more than 5 min's. You might ask what their policy is. BTY filled up last Monday, $28.00 (inc tax) out of there in 5 minutes. The bottle was $145 (full) when I got it. I could have saved more money elsewhere, but I like the way these guys do business.

In Houston the 80 is $145 but the 125 is only $150. Cost of refill is roughly the same. I too like the 80 for a small machine. Only issue with owner bottle is the recertification. There currently is only one place in Houston that soes this and it took me 2 months to get mine back. Sionce then I bought a second 125 so I won't have to worry about re-cert. for 10 years, and then I can spread it out.

[Sundown]

Originally posted by cope
In Houston the 80 is $145 but the 125 is only $150. Cost of refill is roughly the same. I too like the 80 for a small machine. Only issue with owner bottle is the recertification. There currently is only one place in Houston that soes this and it took me 2 months to get mine back. Sionce then I bought a second 125 so I won't have to worry about re-cert. for 10 years, and then I can spread it out.

I agree, I am thinking about getting another 80cf for Argon (I have been using my friends. I would get 125cf bottles, but the 80 is easier for me to hoist up into the back of the truck. I think that the cert. is a non-issue for me as ten years from now I will be 73 (if I'm still kicking). I hope to still be welding, but more likely I'll be fishing mostly.

[cope]

Originally posted by Sundown
I agree, I am thinking about getting another 80cf for Argon (I have been using my friends. I would get 125cf bottles, but the 80 is easier for me to hoist up into the back of the truck. I think that the cert. is a non-issue for me as ten years from now I will be 73 (if I'm still kicking). I hope to still be welding, but more likely I'll be fishing mostly.

Same issues here; in 10 I will be 66 and someone else may be hoisting them around for me. If I carry mine somewhere I will definately take the 80. I am thinking about getting a Hobart 135; if I do I will mate it to the 80 and keep the 125 on my PowCon.

[Sundown]

Originally posted by cope
Same issues here; in 10 I will be 66 and someone else may be hoisting them around for me. If I carry mine somewhere I will definately take the 80. I am thinking about getting a Hobart 135; if I do I will mate it to the 80 and keep the 125 on my PowCon.

When I had my HH135 I used to go to my sons house all the time, and to my brother-in-laws often. Putting the HH135, and the 80cf tank in the back of the truck was no problem at all. Quite handy for minor repairs. If you get the HH135 I am quite sure you will like it, I sure did mine.....

[redrmk]

Thanks all for the input. I need all I can get.