How to read the dates on Cylinders

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I have two cylinders, one oxygen and one acetylene and I cannot figure out how to read the dates. They are older cylinders and there are things stamped all over them but I cannot figure out if they are current or out of date. Can anyone tell/show me how to determine the status of these?I have not seen this question and searched for it so maybe I am just dense but I still need to know.Thanks,Bob
Reply:Should be in plain numbers, month-year.With a retest required  7 or 10 years after the stamped date.Maybe a star after the year means 10 year retest required?Wait... maybe the star means okay for higher pressure?IE:10-08 = October 2008 or October 1908, but they're getting scarce.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=15563
Reply:Here is what the cert stamp looks like. This one was tested in Feb of 2000...the + and star will give it a 10yr validity. FWIW, that cyl is an original Linde. IIRC, it was made in 1937.  Below the circled date, you can see a test date of Oct 1987 with a + meaning a 5 year validity. My LWS is does cyl testing and this is how they explain it. Attached ImagesLast edited by DDA52; 10-20-2008 at 12:57 AM.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Okay, that's settled.Now... How about: How to read the cylinders on dates?
Reply:Air Products has a viewable/downloadable .pdf document "Specialty Gas Cylinder Information" which includes a detailed description of compressed gas cylinder markings.http://www.airproducts.com/NR/rdonly...nformation.pdfYou can save a copy on your hard drive, or print a copy for a notebook.-MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Good link Mondo. "star" = 10 year retest"plus" = plus rating. Means okay to overfill 10%.
Reply:I have an old tank which I got from a blacksmith's grandson and which was first tested in 1927. At that time, the last retest stamp was about 1948 or so. I think it is an AIRCO bottle, (maybe ~ 200 cu. ft.) with a number of unknown markings on it. After retesting, I had to get a letter from AIRCO which said they "had no record of it and presumed I owned it", which had to be presented each time I got it filled. I was told some while ago that tanks that old will no longer be refillled. I have another heavy bottle someone gave me which appears to be of welded construction; I'll have to dig it out and post a picture of it here sometime. Maybe someone knows more about it's make or construction.
Reply:OI, that is probably because you are in the People's Republik of Kalifornia. I saw a cyl last year from Airgas that had Dept of the Army stamped in it and a original date of 1918!!!!...and it was freshly filled and still in service. QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Determine the service life of any given cylinder is a matter of reviewing the "standrards" for construction, visual inspection and testing.I find these standards are somewhat esoteric - meaning you need to be an industry insider to gain access to this information, or you need to purchase copies of the documents, or perhaps if you are lucky you might find the documents in a public, industrial, or acedemic library.The Code of Federal Regulations , 29-CFR and 49-CFR refer to the standards for visual inspection and testing of compressed gas cylinders.  But the standards are not spelled out, they are listed a references to the standards promulgated by the Compressed Gas Association.  A visit to the CGA web site I find the standards are published in pamphlets which are available for free to CGA members, or can be purchased by non-members.  they aren't cheap, either.  For example:CGA Pamphlet C-6: Standards for Visual Inspection of Steel Compressed Gas Cylinders can be purchased in .pdf format by non-members for $101 US.http://www.cganet.com/publication_detail.asp?id=C-6From what information I can gain reviewing the web site it seems there are dozens of pamphlets one would need to read to fully comprehend all the criteria involved.I have not found any information that suggests there is a hard-line standard for End-of-Service-Life for any given cylinder based solely on date of manufacture.  But as with many such industrial standards some companies may choose to establish their own limits to be more stringent that what is promulgated by the standards setting organizations. It may be up to the individual company to establish their own policy to not refill cylinders older than x years.  (Blame it on the lawyers, they make good targets.)I hope this helps!-MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:I have seen many oxygen cylinders de-rated and used for carbon dioxide... dates going back to before 1910
Reply:Cylinders around my area are a complete racket.  Supposedly, "no one can own a cylinder larger than 80 cu ft"  I few months ago I bought a 125 cu ft Linde cylinder from a guy with the last test date of 1960!I brought it to Airgas (bought linde) and the monkey there told me the cylinder was stolen and they wouldn't touch it.  I showed him that it hadn't been certified in 48 years and any statute of limitations had far passed.  I also had a bill of sale from the company I purchased it from.  He also said it was "so old" that he doubted it would pass.  I was interested to hear how steel ages so much in 50 years that it would be unusableI had to call around a few places, but finally found a place that would have it re certified, repainted, put a new valve on and refilled it.  I am now good for another 10 years...and will never shop at Airgas again.Chris