Hi, Easy answer- don't buy a used set up. You can have the other pieces that are not functioning as well and are dangerous. Personally I bought a used outfit years ago and it was ok. But I didn't know any better, and I was lucky. But I did ask the guy if it was a private tank & he said yes, and I wrote out a bill of sale that said if not, he'd give me my money back. To better explain what I mean I called the local Airgas dealer (Springfield Ore) where I trade. He said: I look at the neck for the paint color, and then look for names raised or stamped. If it says ARCO or ARC it's a rented tank we own. But it could say Roxair, or Lindy, or Air Liqued, or any number of Mom and Pop companies. Airgas has purchased over 1300 of those small companies. I have a book over 1/2 inch thick full of company names that are NOT privately owned tanks. If it says Navy or Army or Coin it's OK. If it is a 125 Cu.Ft. tank don't touch it. If it is smaller or larger you will have a good chance of it being OK. Beware: If the label is gone it is useless. I said Oh,Oh. I painted my tanks to match my welder, but I did mask off the label. He says I'm OK then. He said that the info he was giving me was national. He just had a guy bring a tank in that he gotten in New Mexico, and before he would fill it, he (the Airco guy) actually called the place in New Mexico to confirm that it wasn't theirs. If you really get an unbelievable deal I guess I'd say check it out, but first, go down to your local supplier and have this same discussion with them. Also ask them if they would recommend buying used equipment. Of course they want to sell you new stuff, but they will also tell you scary stories about very bad things happening with old equipment. Good luck. TerryJ
