Are there any weldors in the SF Bay area? I need info.

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I just bought a mig welder, and when I exchanged the shielding gas bottle at the local AirGas, I feel like I got raped. $49 to exchange a 50cf tank of C25, then adding fees & taxes, I paid a total of $61.Does this sound right? I expected to pay $20-30, but since I have no prior knowledge I was just guessing.Anybody have a hookup, or know of a cheaper place to get my fills?
Reply:Sounds a bit steep, but not that bad. I filled a 100cf O2 Monday, and it ran me $30. I know C25 runs me more, but I haven't swapped the small bottle recently. Some thing makes me think $40-45 the last time I did. I do know that when I swap out my big 282cf O2 I pay about $35. Most of the charges are in handling, hazmat charges, transport fees and so on. I know some in other places pay way less than I do, but usually they are big turnover customers..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:Just start calling around- you can get a quote over the phone.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:where are you located?  if you post your location, maybe other members closer to your area can give you tips on where to buy gas.i have two 125cf bottle and to refill with argon cost me 15 to 20 dollars each.  75/25 mix for mig cost the same (also 125 cf).  I asked for a quote last week when i was at airgas, and they quoted me $80!!!!!!!!!!  I told the airgas clerk what i usually pay at my local welding supply, he nearly crapped his pants, and admitted that there's no way he could have beaten that price.call around, look for privately owned stores.  also, try this:  make your first purchase a larger purchase, say, including a welding helmet, a lot of filler rods/mig reels, gloves and a refill.  make them give you a good deal.  then, when you come back to fill the gas, bring your receipt and say, this is what i paid last time.
Reply:Airgas runs the SF bay area.  They will rape you.  Good luck finding someone who doesn't get their gasses through Airgas. They also have the most incompetent sales department.
Reply:There is a good shop on the west side of the bay near Palo Alto called Madco Welding Supply, that has honest and fair people and decent prices. Even the truck drivers there understand welding and its equipment. Used to be a good one called Gerin Welding in San Jose, but it was bought out long ago.The other good ones I knew, a few nearer the City, have been gone even longer, I think.
Reply:Originally Posted by oxy moronwhere are you located?  if you post your location, maybe other members closer to your area can give you tips on where to buy gas.
Reply:You might be a better deal at Harris if there is one in the area.  A few months ago at the Harris in Citrus Heights (Sacramento, CA area), I got a 50 cf (15 pound) carbon dioxide tank (full) for $51 which included the tank.  I've had a similar experience with outrageous pricing in the Sacramento area.  At some places, I was quoted a different price depending on who answered the phone.Electronics Engineer (embedded controls)Miller 200DX w/ Coolmate 3Thermal Dynamics 82 plasma cutterGrizzly G0678 8x30 millPM1440BV 14x40 latheHF 6x12 surface grinder
Reply:when my local LWS Middleton welding supply's got bought out by the airgas gestapo in the early 90s My customer number was 17.   Now its some alphabet soup hodge podge.  I keep a zero balance with airgas and don't care for they're customer support in sac.   Theirs a few good guys riding out the system here and there.I recommend Alliance gas products 411 Old County Road, Belmont, CA I do ALL of my LWS business with Chris in Oakland but their Belmont location should be able to hook you up.  Mention how bad airass raped you and they should feel your pain.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:There is a good shop on the west side of the bay near Palo Alto called Madco Welding Supply, that has honest and fair people and decent prices. Even the truck drivers there understand welding and its equipment.I recommend Alliance gas products 411 Old County Road, Belmont, CA I do ALL of my LWS business with Chris in Oakland but their Belmont location should be able to hook you up.  Mention how bad airass raped you and they should feel your pain.
Reply:Don't know where in the Bay Area you are, but if you are south, then maybe the CWS outlet in Gilroy is not too far for you.  http://www.centralwelders.com/findus.htm  I get a 50cf tank filled with C25 at the CWS in Watsonville for about 35 bucks.Tim