Tank size

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Hi, I just bought a Mig welder and everything for A/O set up other then tanks. The welder is set up for a 20 cf, the way  the holder on the back is setup. I am looking at buying rather then renting tanks. I will move this from time to time but wonder if a 40 or 60  would be a smarter option for a 30 to 60 dollar difference. I restore vintage Motorcycles. I don't do a lot of welding but will make other uses also. Same for the  A/O set up. I want to be able to transport if/when needed. I don't have the strength to move large tanks myself health wise.What size would you recommend given I may need to transport but don't want to have to refill every other day. I found tanks on Ebay the 20 is $67, 40 is $92 and 60 109 total. New with 10 year cart. If there are better deals I haven't found them yet.Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.Terry
Reply:By the looks of it, an 80 cf fits nicely on the back of most carts.  I just went with the biggest T size 330 cf with its own dedicated dolly and straps.  Weighs in at least 150 lbs but since I use it at home mostly in the back, its great.  My biggest problem is which size wire to use. I seem to have to change it every time I do something.   It wasn't a deal compared to some prices people here have paid but I guess it just depends on the area.  If 60 cf is what you think is about right if you travel to other shops with it, that should be just about right.  Some have mentioned that certain places won't refill bigger than 80 cf I think unless you are a commercial account so you might want to check on that in your area.Last edited by 3 weelin geezer; 03-12-2008 at 03:29 AM.
Reply:I started out with I believe either a 20 cf or 40cf on the 110v mig. We would do a lot of welding on weekends and run out of gas. Hated to swap out a 1/4 to 1/2 full tank on a friday just to have enough for the job. Upgraded the bottle to a 60 cf and then added an extra 80cf tank as a spare. My O2/acet. are 100cf/75cf if i remember. Portable, but you need to move the tanks seperatly if you can't lod them in a truck. I do a fair amount of heavy heating and cutting so burn up a lot of gas. See what the LWS wants for a bottle with a fill. Remember that your tank will have a good bit of weight empty so don't forget to figure shipping into the price. I'll guess they'll want to bang you $15-$20 or more for shipping per tank. You will still have to either swap it or get it filled when it arives, so add that to the Ebay price also when you compare it to LWS price.
Reply:I just bought two full 80 cf tanks at my LWS and paid $170.00 each for them.  LWS is Nordan-Smith.
Reply:I would buy from your LWS. If you start a good relationship with them and they get to know you as a good customer sometimes they will let you swap to a larger size bottle at no charge. just my opinion, I always like to do business with the locals if possible.BTS Welding
Reply:There should be a chart somewhere showing the average weight of these tanks per size and type, empty. Make your decision by weight. You know what you can tolerate and can't.
Reply:The larger the tank the cheaper the cost per cubic foot of gas in it at my LWS. I use the largest cylinder I can handle cause I'm cheap. That said 300 footers are a thing of the past and 244's are getting that way. I can't believe how much welding rod they can stuff in a 50# box now.
Reply:Thanks for all the replies. I have talked to both LWS where I live. It's a small town. They just rent. It's 11.00 per tank including taxes and fees. I would rather own. They will fill though. I think I am going with 80's. I think I can handle them for the little bit of moving around I will do. Maybe I can weld wheels on the bottles and a hitch ball for moving
Reply:NO!!!!!!!Never, ever, ever, ever,never, never weld on a tank/cylinder/bottle!!!!!!Just in case you -weren't- joking.Weld up a little cart/dolly with wheels and a handle to move the tank around.  Or use a handtruck.(the admonition about welding on a tank/cylinder obviously does not apply to those -making- the items, or to those who really-really-really-really KNOW what they are doing.  But even they wouldn't weld on a filled/pressurized tank.)
Reply:Sorry thought the  would be a sure sign I was joking. I delivered medical eq for years and lots of o2 tanks. I have a very good idea of what can happen.