ditto on the gas welder.
you'll get a better weld, but most importantly for someone learning, you'll get an easier weld.
now, understand im not saying that a gas welder will be easier to use than a gasless, but you'll find its a lot easier to learn and hone your skills, particularly as your trying to learn several things all at once.
That'll equate to a better overall finish and less work 'finishing' your welds.
Make sure you shop around for bottle prices, i have found that BOC are a$$holes to everyone unless your a business that goes through more than 1 bottle a fortnight.
I am with Linde Gas, the bottle rental per year is cheaper, and the refill cost is cheaper than BOC.
You cant refill your own private bottle, which is bollocks, coz it locks you into one of their contracts. They claim that its to do with saftey and testing of the cylinder, which on face value is a pretty fair point.
Best is if you can get a plumber/panel shop mate to get you refill bottles on their account.
I use a E size bottle, its upto my chest in height, so its still a big bottle and lasts a while, but its still able to be moved around. While i dont use it very much, i'll get about a year out of a bottle.
looking at what your in for, i would say that you'll probably knock over 3 bottles of gas in that total body job, someone like John (Sirpent) or Locky (Lurch) will probably be able to judge that better though. they are both smart cookies, so make sure you hit them up for info as you go.
