Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey guys,

I was wondering what is a decent price to pay for used (or new) ascetaline and oxygen tanks?
I have hoses,torches and regulators but always thought I would use my old bosses tanks but since he is my "old" boss I cant anymore
I would rather buy used tanks but dont know what is a good price for decent size tanks.on craigslist in my area someone wants $175 for just a oxy tank and hose and there is another for the same price but they are baby tanks of oxy and ascetaline.

looking for something around thi size in the pic.

Thanks - Peter.

That pic appears to be oxy-propane (which is an affordable route, due to the wide availability of propane).

A similar capacity acetylene bottle is larger, because acetylene is stored dissolved in acetone (because above 15 PSI it can break down and spontaneously combust).

I suppose that does nothing to answer your question. Be aware that every bottle out there has a certification date stamped on it. If the most recent date has a "+" after it, the certification is good for five years from that date. If it has a "+*" (plus-star), it's valid for ten years from the date. Once the five- or ten- year certification expires, no reputable company will fill it until it is recertified. This is the value in leased bottles... The recertification is the responsibility of the lessor, and you simply exchange an empty bottle for a full one, no waiting.

Steve S

Peter, I bought mine because I didn't want to have to deal with keeping track of yet another bill every year. I always use the same supplier so to get around the recertification thing is I bought from them and put my bottle in their "pool". Will I actually see my bottle again? Probably not, do I care, no...Just one less thing to keep track of like Steve S said.

ps I get a better deal on refills to than someone bringing their owned bottle in because I bought it from them.

I bought some tanks from a guy on Craigslist and have no problem exchanging them at my local Airgas when they are empty. I used to lease tanks from them, but it got to be too expensive. The manager at the store even told me to buy them from the Craigslist guy, they were a 3rd of what Airgas charged for the same size.

I bought my tanks new for $300 and it costs approximately $80 to fill them.
I've had them for over ten years and I don't use them as much as I should.
With all of my other welders, oxy/acetylene gets used for only certain things.

Henrob 2000 (gas torch) http://www.cutlikeplasma.com/
Meco Midget (gas torch) http://www.tinmantech.com/html/meco_midget_torch.php
Victor (gas torch) http://victortechnologies.com/victor/

Lincoln 225 AC buzz box. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-ca/Eq ... duct=K1170
Lincoln V100-S inverter. (stick and Tig) http://www.airgas.com/documents/pdf/spe ... /e2140.pdf

Millermatic 210 (Mig) and one spare unit for parts. http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o1325k_mil.pdf
Spoolgun for Millermatic 210 http://www.millerwelds.com/products/wir ... mate_3035/

Linde PCM-31 (plasma cutter)

Everlast PowerPro205 (stick, tig, plasma cutter) http://www.everlastwelders.ca/multi-pur ... ro-205.php

MultiPlaz 3500 (plasma torch and cutter) http://www.multiplaz.com/

Thanks for the replys everyone!

I went to Tractor Supply because someone in RL told me they do refills and they sell tanks and do really cheap refills!
Full size #4 oxygen tanks is $170 for the tank and $16 for a refill.
Full size #4 acetylene is $ 170 for a tank and $40 for a refill
and full size # 6 Argon (75/25) is$ 220 for a tank and $30ish for a refill.

I know about swaping the acetylene for propane and I would keep some around for cutting but want the acetylene for gas welding

just for a comparison for my area the local metal scrap yard swaps full size oxygen is $45!

Peter.

Thanks, Peter,

I didn't know TSC did gas fills. I'll have to check with our local store and see if it's available there. Those prices are hard to beat!

Steve S