New member with a cylinder question

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Matt here.  About 10 years ago I bought a used mig welder and a giant gas cylinder.  Well it finally ran out and I'm in need of another but do not want one this big.  This is what I have.  Will I be able to trade it in for a smaller one without any issues?  What size should I get?  I only use the welder a few times a year.   I assume the cylinder has some value compared to a smaller one. I've never bought one before and don't want to go there without any knowledge so any help will be appreciated.  Thanks.
Reply:Call your local welding supply house and ask.They may take your cylinder in and exchange it for a smaller cylinder.If they have an "S" size 150 cf? that is a good size and very common customer owned cylinder.
Reply:Originally Posted by mattswabbThis is what I have.  Will I be able to trade it in for a smaller one without any issues?  What size should I get?  I only use the welder a few times a year.   I assume the cylinder has some value compared to a smaller one. I've never bought one before and don't want to go there without any knowledge so any help will be appreciated.  Thanks.
Reply:That is NOT your bottle.  You don't own it, unless you can provide a bill of sale from Linde Air Products, or whoever bought their interests.Not likely anyone's going to trade you for a smaller bottle.Some of those older bottles, with an owner neck ring, were actually "leased" on a 100 year lease (for all intensive purposes the prior possesor may have done this), however, if you don't have the paperwork, there's not much you can do.If you were a "regular" at a LWS, they may be able to work something out for you.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Some fire extinguisher places fill welding cylinders and are cheaper than LWS.  You didn't STEAL that bottle knowingly.  If your LWS won't fill it, try it.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Go to the LWS & open a cash account, you'll have a lot better luck of them swapping if you have an account with them.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI can't really tell what size this is from the pict. Cylinders 150 cf and under are usually customer owned cylinders. Cylinders over 150cf in my area are usually leased/rented cylinders. If this was a leased/rented cylinder originally, it technically still belongs to the gas company, not you. As such, they may not simply give you a smaller cylinder unless you have an account with them.
Reply:Thanks for the replies.  The tank is about 10" dia and about 53" tall.  I'm off Monday so I'll take it to the local weld supply shop and see what they say.
Reply:Let us know.  Formerly-rented tanks seem to get treated differently in different parts of the country and at different supply houses.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:10x53 sounds like a 300 cf.It should weigh around 140 lbs."Great spirits have always encountered violent oppostion from mediocre minds."  --  Albert Einstein
Reply:Tractor supply will trade in bottles for an inspection fee. You may want to check with them.
Reply:Formerly-rented tanks seem to get treated differently in different parts of the country and at different supply houses.
Reply:"Linde Air Products" neck ringed cylinders are POTENTIAL rental property of BOTH Airgas and Praxair.There are no cut and dried rules on cylinder ownership and anyone that states there are is out of touch with reality.With all the Mom and Pop welding supplys that have existed or still exist some DID sell cylinders that today the "majors" do not sell.I have been told that if a customer has a cylinder that is larger than is sold today and it falls within certain criteria there is no reason it cannot be exchanged......just because they possess a "rental only" cylinder they are a thief?"The tank is about 10" dia and about 53" tall" It sounds like what is commonly called a "H"Last edited by vwguy3; 11-28-2011 at 12:49 PM.
Reply:I was able to exchange it for the same size cylinder at the local welding supply shop.  $50 for the exchange and $25 for the cylinder inspection of the one I turned in.  It was last inspected in 1980.
Reply:Cool. Good to hear. Hopefully it doesnt last you another 10 years. Get out there and do some welding!!!!
Reply:Good to hear it wasn't a problem.What letter size or cubic footage is the cylinder?
Reply:The guy thought it was a T size and that's what he put in the receipt.
Reply:Originally Posted by mikeb9550Cool. Good to hear. Hopefully it doesnt last you another 10 years. Get out there and do some welding!!!!