The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Welding Tanks

Hey Guys,

I've got a smaller Lincoln Mig welder that I have only used as a flux wire welder. I would like to do some body work so I'd like to have some gas, but I don't want to get into a contract with a gas company when I only use it occasionally, and not on big jobs.

I ran across some large 75/25 welding tanks on Craigslist I'm thinking of buying. The lister says they're full, and if that's true, they'd probably last me for decades, but I'm not interested in buying stolen welding tanks. Is there any way to tell without offending him? They're a couple hours drive for me, and I don't want to drive out there just to check them out - especially if I don't know what I'm looking at. Any suggestions?

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/2746988973.html

Thanks,

Cory

I don't know about the rest of the states but I bought and have an argon tank that size, but that is the biggest I can get before I would have to sight a lease

Here you can get a LIFETIME lease for about $325. The way to do it is put them in one of your younger nephews, say age 20, and after you die he uses them for the rest of his life!! OR pay rent of about 10 bucks a month which is subject to surely go up in the years ahead. Best way is to get the lifetime lease, All you have to do is pay for the gas and they keep up the tanks...at least around here.
However, since I can actually buy them I think thats what I'll do. Renting or leasing you never "own" anything.

I almost bought a set off Craiglist close by. I asked what name of the tank they were and then I visited Welders Supply and Welders Choice to see if they would fill them up. They said they would but I'd first have to pay a fee for them to do it, and pay for any faulty valve ect..... but they would not EXCHANGE tanks when I got a refill.....only refill my actual tanks.
I'm sure its different not only from state to state but probably from supplier to supplier.

Thanks guys, I think I'll visit a gas supplier, and ask some questions before I get too serious about buying anything over craigslist. $325 seems like a better way to go, and I'll have my peace of mind.

You could ask for the serial number, and check with any gas company to see if the tank is on a stolen list. Around here you can buy the tank(s) and just swap them out as you need to. Every ten years they have to be pressure tested, and that costs $25. Every place has different rules for their shop. So shop around for your options, and prices.

I bought a new 80 cubic foot tank for $109 in 2005 and paid $8 to fill it. I think you'd have to be doing a bunch of welding to justify buying a 248 cu ft tank.

I bought a full 80cf tank of 75/25, for $125 from PraxAir in KC about 2 years ago. At that time refills were $35.

Cory, you're getting complicated answers to a very simple question. Take the cylinders to a welding supply company and ask them if they would accept them in exchange. If the answer is "Yes" you will have no trouble exchanging them when they are MT. If "No" they will be trouble.

I recently went through this exact issue and getting the answer was quick and easy.

I had some nice big oxygen and acetylene tanks given to me, had a neck band for a local distributor (not customer owned).
Called a different distributor that I do deal with and they said they couldn't fill them or exchange them (as I expected). Also said if I took them to the supplier that they belonged to to have them filled they'd want to see papers showing I owned or leased them, which I didn't have, and they'd probably keep the tanks. So the only way for me to use them would be to buy/rent two more tanks from that same supplier and I'd have myself a spare set they wouldn't know about.

In the end I gave them to someone else who already had an account with that company... because when I get some tanks it'll be with the other company that I do like dealing with.

Grigg

Now why didn't we all think of that...?

I have removed my posts with over twenty years in the supply industry backing them.

Sorry for using this discussion forum.

I don't follow?
Are you upset about something?
No reason to be sorry for using the forum.

Grigg

Ditto..... ANY information we get or share makes us better informed be it good or bad. I actual look forward to all the different experience's and opinions. That way I make a better decision for myself.

I just bought a small 20cu/ft CO2/Argon cylinder, but no one around here will fill it. I'm sticking w/the rental @$84/year.

Thanks guys! I'm going to try to buy an 80cf tank this afternoon. I've heard Praxair is friendlier to small buyers than Airgas. Any recommendations for the Kansas City area?

I use Airgas and found that their prices are lower than Praxir, They have a location in KCK right off I-35. Talk to Sam.

I use Airgas and found that their prices are lower than Praxir, They have a location in KCK right off I-35. Talk to Sam.

Went to Airgas in Independence (closer for me than KCK), and for the 80cf tank filled with Argon/CO2 mix, the total was $290 ($220 for the tank, $39 for the gas, plus tax). I'm going to try Praxair tomorrow - it's a little farther to drive, but if I can get it for anything close to what Cletis got, it'll be worth it. I'll post an update if anyone is interested.

Let us know if you got a better deal.

Praxair is considerably cheaper. $187.50 for the 80cf cylinder, $21 for the first fill (half price). After that, $42 for refills. I'm going with Praxair - a few extra miles is worth the savings. I got this over the phone - if there are any BS charges they didn't tell me about, you'll be the first to hear about it.

In case anyone else is interested, I found a seller on Amazon selling Victor 80cf cylinders for $189 with free shipping. Victor seems to be a reputable maker of these tanks, and from what I've read, most gas suppliers will fill these tanks with no problems.

i am a little late repling but i can buy tanks at my local tractor supply store and then they will exchange them when empty just like a propane tank. check it out

Mo, before I drive 50 miles can you tell us a little more....like what size are you talking about and an indication of what the price might be. That may be just what I'm looking for. I've had a nice new complete set of Smith torches/guages and ect that I've had for at least a year. I need to use them or sell them!!
Thanks

i never actually bought them there. i was going to but i bought a used pair off of craigslist. give them a call i dont know if they all do it but the one in grand forks north dakota does. what i did was put a wanted add on craigslist for a set of tanks. took many calls but i finally found a set that was old enough that the guy actually owned his tanks no lease. got them from his grandpa who aquired them before all this leaseing stuff came into effect. saved me a lot of money. bought the tanks and welding outfit for 150.00 campared to a new set for around 600.00