Helium? Is it really?

To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Helium? Is it really?
From: "Bill the arcstarter" <arcstarter-at-hotmail-dot-com> (by way of Terry Fritz <terryf-at-verinet-dot-com>)
Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 21:05:06 -0600
Approved: terryf-at-verinet-dot-com

It was written:

> The Helium for filling balloons that I mentioned comes in a box 
>along with some balloons and fittings. The cannister of helium looks 
>identical in size and shape to a freon cannister. ( like a small 
>barbecue grill propane tank ) The valve even looks the same. I bought 
>one for $17 on sale at a K-Mart.  The local welding supply had a 
>larger tank for $25 (also for blowing up balloons) that I could use 
>rent free for two weeks.

Beware here.  The gas sold for balloons is rarely pure helium, but is 
often helium "watered-down" with other stuff (N?) until it just floats 
enough to be convincing, yet cheap!

It always pays to know for sure what you are getting for your money!

I also think that since we only have a finite supply of helium on the 
earth, that using it for balloons is some sort of sin.  But my 
conscience could tolerate using it in sparkgaps! :)

-Bill



______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail-dot-com