Picked up a 20# of CO2

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Hi all,  I picked up a 20# aluminum bottle of CO2 today and was wondering if I should keep it to experiment welding with or pass it on to somebody to dispense beer.  The bottle has 16# of CO2 in it and I do not have CGA 320 x 580 adapter to use the gas at this point.  The tank is decades out of date so any refill would require a re-certification and possibly a new valve.  I'm not sure when a new valve is called for but they certainly wanted me to do my 125 when I brought it in for retest.  Do you guys think CO2 is useful for hobby welding?  I have a 240 cubic foot bottle of C25 and my 125 foot bottle is out for a retest and fill with Argon so I am not exactly short on gas.  Any input would be appreciated.Thanks, SteveTweco 211i complete with pedal and TIG kit"Victor Style" Oxy/Acetylene outfitUNIWELD Air/Acetylene Kit
Reply:I have a 35# bottle of CO2 but haven't used it. To me it is worth keeping around just in case I ever need it.The test and valve are only about $20 each at my local facility.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Depends on what type of work you do and if the wire can be used for both. The 75/25 has a nice clean finish with little spatter for clean up. Some like the straight CO2 for 120 volt mig machines. It supposedly has greater penetration.
Reply:I use it sometimes - works fine for me - cheaper too Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Just picked one up today actually. I was attracted to the small size for the relative large volume of gas I'll get.
Reply:The place I exchange tanks has never checked the dates on tanks I have returned.
Reply:You can buy a preset regulator to use it for air pressure to run air tools, fill tires, spray paint etc. I keep one in every truck I own as do all my friends after seeing what mine has done. I wouldn't go on a hunting trip with out one in the truck. That one bottle can fill up a 100+ tires.
Reply:Originally Posted by BobYou can buy a preset regulator to use it for air pressure to run air tools, fill tires, spray paint etc. I keep one in every truck I own as do all my friends after seeing what mine has done. I wouldn't go on a hunting trip with out one in the truck. That one bottle can fill up a 100+ tires.
Reply:Originally Posted by BobYou can buy a preset regulator to use it for air pressure to run air tools, fill tires, spray paint etc. I keep one in every truck I own as do all my friends after seeing what mine has done. I wouldn't go on a hunting trip with out one in the truck. That one bottle can fill up a 100+ tires.
Reply:Keep the tank. I found a 20# co2 tank in the garbage a few years back....it was in rough shape, but I brought it to a beverage store, handed the guy cash for the fill, and he handed me a full new exchange bottle no questions asked. I use it for beer brewing and soda making...maybe I'll use it for welding in the future (unlikely thought). Try bringing it to a beverage store first for an exchange rather than brining it somewhere to be tested (which will cost $).
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelI never thought of using it to fill tires.
Reply:A lot of offroad guys like CO2 to run air tools in the field and inflate tires. Lowes used to sell a small portable CO2 paintball sized cylinder and reg combo for using small air nailers. The guy I used to work with bought one of those rigs for putting up trim in a 2 story space so he wasn't dragging a hose around with him up and down scaffold or extension ladders. There are times when I've thought a small cylinder like tha would be convenient vs dragging in the pancake compressor to put up one r two pieces of trim.http://www.lowes.com/pd_166441-61735...ductId=1040295.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Wow, it's much more useful than I thought.  It's kinda funny to handle because you can feel that it has liquid in it when you put it down.  I will have to keep an eye out for one of those regulators as I was oblivious to them.  I will also get the CGA 580 adapter as the size of the tank really is nice and will be handy if I take my welder somewhere that only has 110.  My C25 bottle is a converted 3K so it is about 180 lbs empty.Cheers, StevePS  It's funny what you can find when taking a gallon of used oil to the dump for recycling.  The dude at the dump said somebody was inquiring about dropping off another tank of some sort so I'll have to drop in again next week.Tweco 211i complete with pedal and TIG kit"Victor Style" Oxy/Acetylene outfitUNIWELD Air/Acetylene Kit
Reply:Originally Posted by StevemoPS  It's funny what you can find when taking a gallon of used oil to the dump for recycling.  The dude at the dump said somebody was inquiring about dropping off another tank of some sort so I'll have to drop in again next week.
Reply:Originally Posted by BobYou can buy a preset regulator to use it for air pressure to run air tools, fill tires, spray paint etc. I keep one in every truck I own as do all my friends after seeing what mine has done. I wouldn't go on a hunting trip with out one in the truck. That one bottle can fill up a 100+ tires.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manI keep one for changing a flat. On a road trip, I carry a cylinder, impact wrench and floor jack. Also, a plug kit, and top off the tire pressure with CO2.I would/do in an emergency. CO2 runs hotter, so I would not use it unless I had to.I bought this one, here. http://wheelersoffroad.com/product/o...co2-regulator/