Finally ordered a MIG, what size cylinder to buy?

admin

I joined this forum a year ago when I found a Hobart 187 on sale. Unfortunately, all of the TSCs in my area were out of stock so I never ended up purchasing it. For the past year I have read this forum and been inspired by others projects. I finally put together enough cash to buy  a MIG welder. I went all out and bought a brand new Millermatic 211. It should ship today! Anyway, I have gone to my LWS and found out pricing for cylinders. They want $250 for a full 122cf of C25 or $265 for a 150cf. Refill prices are $23 and $25 respectively. I figure I should just go for the bigger tank since its only a few bucks extra. Does anyone have any reasons why I should choose the smaller one over the bigger one? I will just be using this around my house and on projects in the garage. I doubt it will ever leave where it sits in the garage except for when I need a refill. Suggestions?
Reply:I'd agree go for the 150cf. The only reasons I'd see to go smaller would be if you just had to have portability, or if you simply couldn't afford a larger cylinder..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:I would go for the larger. You could always watch craigs list for a small back up cylinder.
Reply:Go as big as you can afford, it will cut down on running back and forth to the gas supplier.I was going to buy a 150, but decided to buy a 250 cubic footer instead.www.Markcuda.com"you didn't build that"weldor does have two "E"sOk,I stand corrected,there is a word "Weldor"But,in this day and age, how many frickin'times have you heard a moron use the term(spelling)?
Reply:I went with a 40cf tank from the local welder supply to save the money upfront because I wasn't sure just how much MIG welding I would actually be doing. That and they told me they will credit me the purchase price and I can trade up if I decide that I need a bigger tank.
Reply:I'm not sure where you live, but if it is at all around a metro area, check Craigslist or other local classifieds.  I have NEVER had to buy a new tank.  I bought a 200 CFU bottle of C25 (75% argon, 25% CO2) Full for $150, and a bottle the same size of straight argon for $100, also full.  When I "refill" them, my supplier just swaps them out with a full bottle the same size, so it really doesn't matter that they were a little old.  I bet if you checked once/day for a week, you'd find a way better deal than what you just quoted us here.  Just make sure you get bottles that are owned, not rented.  The ring should either be blank, or just have the city and state of origin, I believe. Good luck! .... and GO BIG, as BIG as you can afford, and you have room for on your cart.  My 200CFU bottles go fast.Check out my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkz...bZg8AYNXGqBjZQ"Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of arms." - Aristotle
Reply:Great price on gas for a 150.  Nearly double that in WA State, with taxes, etc, out the door.  Go with the 150, or like people have said, look for owner bottles on Craiglist, or buy as big as you can.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Good call. I think I'll just go ahead and buy one off Craigslist. I am in Houston so it shouldn't be hard to find one.
Reply:Agree with buying one off CL.  Buy the biggest one you can. Here's how to read the stampings.  The star means good for 10 years from date of the test and the + is ok for 10% overfill.  I usually only buy tanks if they aren't stamped on the collar by a dealer.http://www.airgas.com/content/detail...=7000000000243
Reply:Originally Posted by Seb650RGood call. I think I'll just go ahead and buy one off Craigslist. I am in Houston so it shouldn't be hard to find one.
Reply:What is the exact method for determining if a cylinder is leased?
Reply:If its not stamped with a name on the collar you are good to go.