Cylinder hydrotest

admin

Hi,Bought this cylinder several years ago. Had it refilled several times. Took it today and they said it needs a hydro test because the date is more than five years. I did some research and the star indicates that the cylinder is on a ten year test schedule. When I talked to the person at the gas place and told him about the star, there was a lot of hesitation and then mumbling. Said it was A DOT regulation. When I said which DOT he hesitated and then said all of them. Yeah right. I think I am being snowed. Attached ImagesMillermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:Here is the actual cylinder.   Marking is 06 07 +*(June 2007 plus star) Attached ImagesMillermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:Airgas?Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:My LWS does not even look at it. But then they swap them anyway. As long as it has thier sticker on it, they service the hydro on thier nickle.Since 1979 I have never paid for a hydro.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonAirgas?
Reply:I just found this PDF.  http://www.usamma.amedd.army.mil/***...20markings.pdfYes, I think you are being snowed.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:http://www.airgas.com/content/detail...=7000000000243Retest Markings:• The format for a retest marking is: Month – Facility – Year – Plus Rating – Star Stamp. • The + symbol (Plus Rating) indicates that the cylinder qualifies for 10% overfill. • The H symbol (Star Stamp) indicates that the cylinder meets the requirements for 10-year retest, instead of a 5-year retest.
Reply:"Ummmmmm... HAZMAT Fee! HAZMAT Fee! HAZMAT Fee!"
Reply:I will switch to flux core wire before I bow down to a scamming monopolistic gas company. Anyone know of an honest gas company in central Connecticut????Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:Originally Posted by Fab54Hi,Bought this cylinder several years ago. Had it refilled several times. Took it today and they said it needs a hydro test because the date is more than five years. I did some research and the star indicates that the cylinder is on a ten year test schedule. When I talked to the person at the gas place and told him about the star, there was a lot of hesitation and then mumbling. Said it was A DOT regulation. When I said which DOT he hesitated and then said all of them. Yeah right. I think I am being snowed.
Reply:I have been dealing with Aero-All Gas off and on since the late 70s. Back in the day they were the most arrogant SOBs that I had ever come across. Since I've been reading the Airgas horror stories I went to Aero a yr and a half ago to rent a tank for TIG. For a fleeting moment there seemed to be a new attitude. Thought their backs might be up against a wall with the Airgas monoploy. Apparently not. AERO.still treats customers like dirt and I'm done with them. My TIG tank will be returned at the end of the lease. BYE BYE AERO-ALL GAS.Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:That's a dinky little cylinder, just like the O2 companion to my Acet "B" tank.Here in eastern and central MA, as was when I lived in NH, cylinders in that size range (60CF and smaller) are weldor-owned but accepted as swap-outs just like the Blue-Rhino propane gas grill tanks.  Your LWS is snowing you and the counter people are ducking behind their own ignorance of the cylinder markings.  You need to find another vendor.A well prepared (and diplomatic) letter of complaint to the company's customer relations officer at the home office is in order, explaining why you are taking your business elsewhere, if you have time for that stuff. Meanwhile, see if this search result helps:http://yellowpages.aol.com/welding-e...al-manchester/- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Yesterday I called Airgas to get their take on it. The guy said five years. I told him the star meant ten. He said he never heard of it but would check into it. I just got a call back this morning and he told me I was correct the star is ten years.Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:I have a good relationship with my LWS, I own a few 330's and all of my small stuff and they just swap em out for me. I got one hydroed for a buddy and it was only like $15.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Just in case you want to write a letter:Corporate officers:Michael Pollack, PresidentTom Obrenski, Sales ManagerLucien Bussiere, ManagerMelissa Morgal, SecretaryDavid Pollack, Vice President3150 Main StHartford, CT(860) 278-2376Start at the top, cc the rest!- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Tom Obrenski, Sales Manager is the guy I dealt with. Sad that he lost a customer over his lack of knowledge about his own business.Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:Hydrotests are $20 / cylinder here if it is customer owned and you are trying to get it refilled.  If it is customer owned at Airgas they will just swap you out and you pay for the gas only - they don't mind the dates as long as their sticker is on it and you are exchanging similar gas for gas.  Small ones like that just get swapped though with no hassling.  Don't burn any bridges where you are with this one.  You will find someone to fill it this time and next time you go back the other guy will be working for them now and you have to go back to the first place.  Just shrug it off and go on with your business.
Reply:I don't swap tanks. I own the tank and drop it off, then pick it up after its filled. I don't want to swap my tank for a tank marked as owned by Airgas or Aero. Just complicates things even further..., I have in the past gotten old tanks that were half full. I actually started bringing the regulator with me to check the psi before I drove home with the tank. Don't have that issue anymore with my tank.Last edited by Fab54; 06-11-2013 at 10:53 AM.Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:I swapped a tank I owned at a local arigas here, about a month later I get an invoice in the mail for a tank lease fee on the tank I swapped. Apparently they set me up with a tank lease when I paid to exchange the cylinder I owned. A quick phone call got everything straightened out but I didn't sign anything but my charge slip, no agreement, no terms of the agreement, nothing.
Reply:Update - I finally got this thing resolved. Took the tank to Airgas to have it filled. The guy looked at the markings and said no problem. Just to be sure I said the markings are ok? He said yes. Amazing that Airgas is about to put Aero All Gas out of business and Aero loses a customer because they don't even understand cylinder markings and federal regulations. Oh well, in the area of customer service, nothing is surprising anymore...........Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).
Reply:Originally Posted by Fab54I will switch to flux core wire before I bow down to a scamming monopolistic gas company. Anyone know of an honest gas company in central Connecticut????
Reply:The arrogance of the gas store guys is something else. Im sure it works like any other business if they see ya once a week no hydros for you, everybody else just get every dollar out of them they can. Im sure thay hate having to fill the actual bottle you bring them and they treat you like the fast food kid who spits in your food if you complain. Im sure airgas will be nice to your first visit at least. Lol. I just expect to get screwed and make a point of learning whatever the game is as fast as possible at this point in my life.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fab54. Anyone know of an honest gas company
Reply:Originally Posted by ForgedThe arrogance of the gas store guys is something else. Im sure it works like any other business if they see ya once a week no hydros for you, everybody else just get every dollar out of them they can. Im sure thay hate having to fill the actual bottle you bring them and they treat you like the fast food kid who spits in your food if you complain. Im sure airgas will be nice to your first visit at least. Lol. I just expect to get screwed and make a point of learning whatever the game is as fast as possible at this point in my life.
Reply:The saga continues. (I thought it was over). Dropped the tank off at Airgas on July 19th. Told me should be ready July 26th. I went on vacation. Came back and called on the 31st. Tank not filled and back at store. They checked into it and said I would have it on August 1st. August 1st - no tank. Today August 2nd I have given up and will just go as high as I have to get answers. By the way the "store" is one mile from the fill plant. 17 days and they can't fill a tank. Unbelieveable. I should have known...........Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).With a cylinder like that, which is not the standard type and which they are filling and returning to you, most LWS's will get picky. Ordinarily, I just exchange my cylinders and they wion't even look at the hydo stamps. Although I own the cylinders, they take care of hydro and any other testing and maintenance as part of the cost of the gases, Also, I can see your cylinder getting lost in the system somewhere. JMO.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:This falls under the you can't make it up category or Ripley's believe it or not. I sent an email to the fill facility manager and soon after got a call from the store that my tank was ready today. I just picked up the 40 cu ft tank. Guy says $77. I couldn't believe it. Then he says it costs less if you have an account. So... I asked what the price would be if I had an account. Then he says well you have to apply. You have to be approved. Might depend how how many bottles you use. Never did get an answer to the price.When I dropped it off they quoted me $51 tax included. When I got home after dropping it off I looked at the receipt and it was for a 60 cu ft tank. I called them up and told them it was 40 not 60. He said no big deal since I hadn't paid for it yet. So today when I pick it up he says $77. I said no, he said yes. "We just had a big price increase and the customers aren't happy". I said you quoted me $51 for a 60 cu ft tank and now it's $77 for a 40 cu ft?? A brand new 40 cu ft tank FILLED sells on the internet for $140 plus shipping. Clearly they were playing games. After some discussion they 'agreed' to charge me the quoted price but when I looked at the receipt there was a $4.80 haz mat fee and a .20 product surcharge.They supposedly they looked up prices and said it cost more for a 40 cu ft fill than a 60 cu ft fill.Got home and called another airgas store 20 miles away and they quoted me $60.12 for a 60 cu ft.Guess you can treat customers like crap when you have a monopoly. Last but not least - he tells me I have an attitude because I expected my cylinder back in less than 17 days even though the fill plant is one mile from the store. "What do you want us to do shutdown production for you?" LOL Um not really but 17 days is a bit excessive and if I had not called to check on it, the cylinder would still be sitting somewhere unfilled. Attached ImagesLast edited by Fab54; 08-02-2013 at 05:03 PM.Millermatic 211Lincoln Precision TIG 225Century 250 MIGLincoln 225 AC Box (sold)I support my local welding store (Amazon, McMasterCarr, Cyberweld, EBay).