Argon tank from Craigslist?

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Hello, I was browsing craigslist/ Facebook Marketplace, and cam across these CO2 cylinders. Seller did not provide any more info, such as recent hydro test, but I wasn’t wondering if you guys can help me identify if they will be good for my use. It’s 75 dollars for them which sounds to good to be true. I have messaged them, but can anyone give a quality check before I make any decision? One of them looks like it has a busted valve, but it’s my first time using gas and I don’t have a cylinder. Can CO2 tanks such as these work for 2000+ psi of argon? Pictures below.



Reply:Pretty much no. Those are aluminum cylinders. CO2 only.
Reply:That's definitely not what you want for argon/TIG.Check out my bench vise website:  http://mivise.comMiller Syncrowave 250DXMillermatic 350P with XR AlumaProMiller Regency 200 with 22A feeder and Spoolmatic 3Hobart Champion EliteEverlast PowerTig 210EXT
Reply:Sometimes the welding supply store will let you trade cylinders for something else. You might call your local store and ask if they would take those as a trade for an argon cylinder. The worst they can do is tell you no.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power

) Hobart MIG
Reply:That’s a good point. Before I do that, however, I was just wondering if this tank would be any better. I’m not sure about the cylinder in the very front, but the one on the far left says oxygen. Are these okay for 2000 psi of argon/ the needs I stated in the original post? Thank you.


Reply:They are not going to refill your cylinder, they typically only exchange. So if it is one of theirs or an owner size cylinder they should exchange for a similar size filled cylinder of your choice of gas.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I’m a bit confused. By they do you mean a gas supplier such as Matheson or Airgas? Will they have to trade it in? Do I own said cylinder after the trade in/ do I just go back and swap every time for the same cost as a refill? Ideally I want to avoid the swap fee and just own the cylinder and only pay refills. Is it not possible to just refill the tank  that they are selling (they being the seller on Facebook)?
Reply:First thing you have to do is determine if the seller actually owns the tank. Then you need to know what the policy of the local supplier is. The policies for refilling/swapping tank varies greatly.Mike
Reply:

Originally Posted by GoK4rtFanatic

Ideally I want to avoid the swap fee and just own the cylinder and only pay refills. Is it not possible to just refill the tank  that they are selling (they being the seller on Facebook)?
Reply:then some CL guy will try to sell them to an unsuspecting customer,,
Reply:I’m a bit confused. By they do you mean a gas supplier such as Matheson  or Airgas? Will they have to trade it in? Do I own said cylinder after  the trade in/ do I just go back and swap every time for the same cost as  a refill? Ideally I want to avoid the swap fee and just own the  cylinder and only pay refills. Is it not possible to just refill the  tank  that they are selling (they being the seller on Facebook)?
Reply:Oh wow. Never could have imagined an hour long operation for it. I’m new to this so I’m not sure I’m asking the right questions, but if these tanks are for sale then I could buy them off of them and take them to matheson who could swap it for a fee?Edit: Perhaps the better question is am I better off just leasing a tank? I do eventually plan to buy one, I’m just wondering if I’m better off buying leaving, or buying a cheap one like this (assuming it can be bought). Wouldn’t it be throwing money away if I lease a tank if I eventually plan to buy one? My local Matheson quoted me at $300 bucks 125 c/f + tax for a full argon tank. I don’t want to pay more than I have to, but I also need the right equipment. Thoughts? Thanks.Last edited by GoK4rtFanatic; 6 Hours Ago at 09:29 PM.
Reply:If the tanks are not "owner tanks" then they will only swap/fill them if they think you are the leasee and if they are Matheson tanks. They will keep the tanks and you will be out if they are their tanks and you do not have any tanks leased from them. 80 cf tanks are mostly all considered owner tanks, 125 cf tanks usually can be either owner or leased tanks anything bigger then 125 cf is mostly leased tanks. If you do not have a relationship with the supplier/welding supply they will be more difficult to deal with. Looking at the picture of the tanks you posted I see names on the neck rings which generally tell you the name of who owns the tanks.Last edited by leightrepairs; 6 Hours Ago at 09:36 PM.Mike
Reply:I just messaged him, here’s what he said. “ I have 2 Helium and 6 or  8  Oxygen the Helium have a good test and 4 of the oxygen have a good test. The other 4 need tested. They can be changed to Argon by replacing the valve. What being tested”I just asked him about what the name of the suppliers on the bottle are. Does it look at all promising?Edit: Okay, so they are selling a 200 cf helium tank, smooth neck (no supplier marking). They are 125 dollars each. Do I go for it? Once again asking if a gas company will accept it. Do argon and helium use the same valve system? Would the gas supplier most likely swap or refill if it is unmarked?Last edited by GoK4rtFanatic; 4 Hours Ago at 11:26 PM.
Reply:First thing you need to do is find a good welding supply shop in your area, and buy or lease a tank from them and learn what they will and won't take. If you show up with some ratty old cylinders of unknown origin and condition, they may not want to bother taking them. Some suppliers are are easier to deal with than others.Where are you located ? Maybe somebody here can direct you towards a good supplier.Best RegardsAirco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square waveMiller Synchrowave 180 sdMiller Econo Twin HFLincoln 210 MPDayton 225 ac/dcVictor torchesSnap-On YA-212Lotos Cut60D
Reply:I think in the long run you would be better off to spend the $300 and have a tank YOU own with no problems and use that purchase to cultivate a relationship with your supplier.
Reply:Nobody on a forum can answer this question for you.  The local norms vary widely with location, so only folks near you will have any idea what to expect, and that will still vary somewhat with the company you're dealing with.  Heck, the same brand, but a different store, can have different rules.  My closest Airgas won't exchanged a large bottle, but one 15 minutes farther away will....no idea why.  They are both Airgas stores, but different owners, so they have their own rules.Buying a used tank is a risk, even if you know what you're doing.  In most cases the local shops aren't going to fill your tank, they're going to exchange it for one they have ready to go.  That means they're looking at your tank with suspicion because it may not be in test, and if it's not, it may not pass when tested.  If it's in test, but just barely they're probably going to treat it like it's not in test because they don't send them out that way.  Something as simple as a tiny little spot showing an arc hit the tank will be an instant failure on test...won't even bother with the actual test.The smart thing to do is simply check with a couple of local shops and see what they can offer.  Buy or lease one and avoid all the risks.  Cheap tanks are tempting, but at least half the time it seems folks buying them get hosed.Check out my bench vise website:  http://mivise.comMiller Syncrowave 250DXMillermatic 350P with XR AlumaProMiller Regency 200 with 22A feeder and Spoolmatic 3Hobart Champion EliteEverlast PowerTig 210EXT