Can old B tank be refilled?

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How does tank trade/refill work on plumbers tanks?I have an old "b" acetylene tank with torch I bought from a guymany years ago.I 've never had it filled and I was wondering-when the gas is used up,will I be able to get it refilled or traded?The tank even looks a little differant from others-says"presto-lite" on it.I like the plumbers torch,but use it so seldom that buying a tank might not make sense.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:It depends on the condition of your tank, what kind of relationship you have with the LWS, maybe what state you're in and what laws or general policies the businesses have there, and maybe even the mood of the clerk you happen to get. I think all Prestolite B tanks were customer owned so that wouldn't be a problem, but the inspection cost might be yours.Some of the oldest Prestolite acetylene tank had/have gauges on the bottom of the tank, inside the hidden recessed area. I've seen one or two, and both were too old and/or too weathered or corroded for a shop to even consider getting refilled. [The inside of the worst actually looked very good.] Yours isn't like that, is it?
Reply:Your local welding supply may fill it and charge to have it re-tested or they may not fill it at all. You could also find a Thouroughbred cylinder exchange location and swap for a full tank. Check out Gaspony.com. It all depends if your tank was a rental originally or if it was purchased outright.IAMAW Local 330Airco 300 AC/DC HeliwelderAirco Dip-Pak 200 with Profax spool gunPowr-Kraft AC225Everlast PowerArc 200stBuffalo Forge No.21 drill pressSpeedglas 9100xxAirco, Oxweld, Purox, Victor torchesLincoln Ranger 8
Reply:Oldiron2-My gauge is on the valve at the top.Tank is in good condition and has "presto-lite" embossed in the side.Wnywelder-Local TSC has a cylinder exchange (thoroughbred,I think).I thought because it was a presto-lite tank that it must have been purchased outright.-ThanksMiller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5Oldiron2-My gauge is on the valve at the top.Tank is in good condition and has "presto-lite" embossed in the side.Wnywelder-Local TSC has a cylinder exchange (thoroughbred,I think).I thought because it was a presto-lite tank that it must have been purchased outright.-Thanks
Reply:Sorry,Let me rephrase that.The regulator for the torch(on top of the tank ) has a guage on it that  reads tank pressure .What's IIRC?I always figured those old gas headlights generated their own acetylene like a miners lamp.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:I just figured out IIRC..Took me a while.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:I had an old prestolite B tank with the gauge on the bottom. I bought it at an auction and it had a 1912 date stamped on it and it was still full. I used up the acetlene and took it to my LWS to see about filling it. They just swapped it out for a new full bottle. Then i sold it to my buddy...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:B tanks were used on busses, and rode nearly horizontal in the bus.  The older ones have the valve offset rather than centered.  The valve location precluded acetone discharge.  The gague in the bottom was for busdriver convenience.MC tanks were for motorcycles.Both were generally refilled at the bus barn from a carbide acetelene generator.Now you kids can go look up how acetelene funded the Indianapolis Speedway.  If I just give you the answer you won't tecall or appreciate it.
Reply:Old Fart-So "B" stands for "bus"?  "MC" for motorcycle?Don't other cylinders have letter designations? Do the letters mean something?I had a small o/a set with a bottle that I think  was called "R" or "Q" or something like that.(may have been the oxygen)Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:I've picked up 4 or 5 old "B" bottles off CL and one from a friend who was cleaning out an old barn at his grandparents farm. My LWS has never had an issue exchanging any of them that looked to be in decent shape. I deal with the guys for other things alot, so they don't even bother to look at the test dates on any cyl I bring in. The only time I paid for the test was on an old O2 cyl I picked up for free at a yard sale that was in fair condition. I think I had to pay an extra $20 for it being out of date and they swapped it no problem..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