80 CF Welding Cylinder

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Would you buy this one?http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-CF-WELDIN...item1e613781fb ? Is there any reason that this cylinder would not be suitable to be refilled by a local gas supplier?  I can save $ 75.00 from the local supplier's price by buying this one.
Reply:I wouldn't, but that's because I can purchase a filled 80 cf cylinder for about $170 including tax from my LWS.Keep in mind you will still have to add your gas cost to the price.I'd do a bit more looking locally to see whats available. Add your location to your User CP and someone local might have a suggestion about another supplier you can look at..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:Thanks DSW,  I live in Huntingdon, Tennessee. We only have 3 here within a fifty mile radius, they do have a few local resellers, but they all have the same price of $ 236 + 9.75% sales tx. My only other option is to find a used one, which I have failed to do so far.
Reply:I think buying new tanks is worthless. I bought a beat up 80 cuft off craigslist last Fall for $50. Traded it and $25 for a beat up one full of O2 at my LWS. Same with my brand new 20cuft tank I bought empty years ago, $25 to exchange for a full beater.Last edited by wirehead; 02-14-2012 at 04:47 PM.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:I have seen them on CL in the past, but it seems I can never find a good deal when I really need it, Heck, I would pay $50 anytime for one! Maybe I should wait a week or two.
Reply:Even if you don't "need" them now, buy them if cheap and you might. One of my LWS's doesn't even care about the hydro date, I think needed retests are all figured into the gas prices (especially on the small tanks!)XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:yeah don't buy new.  i just picked an 80,a 150, 2-250's, a #3 and 2 # 5 acet. for $600 off 1 guy on CL. the 150 was full but i exchanged all the others at air gas the same day. go to auctions and estates also. happy hunting. btw, the 80 and 1 of the 250's i got c25 in and the 250 was only 12 dollars more than the 80. buy the biggest you can handle and save in the long run. i'm never charged for hydro's either.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:i just found a 145cf acetylene and similar sized ox with a set of victor regulators for $120 on craigslist..my airgas will charge me $20 each to rehydro, they are both ten years out, but finally  i will stop paying rental to techair who told me they wont fill owned tanks..
Reply:I just picked up an 80cf O2 for $80. The last hydro test was in '99. Exchanged it at AirGas for the cost of oxygen only, $32.97 plus $5.93 hazmat - $38.90 totalBe patient and you'll find a tank. I was looking for about 2 weeks before I found this one.I'll be using propane but am considering picking up a cheap acetylene tank that is for sale near me just for the heck of it.
Reply:I also picked up a tank off CL. 125cf full argon with an10yr cert that's two years old. $125.How do you know the blacksmith's dog? When you hollar at him he makes a bolt for the door!
Reply:Thanks all, it seems , from past experience, the best way for me to find a great deal, is to stop looking! I did put a WTB listing on the local craigslist. I am also open to buying a larger tank if one becomes available. More is better, especially if it is cheaper. Has anyone ever traded a oxygen or acc, tank for an inert tank? I have seen several oxy/acc tanks for sale worth the money , maybe that would be an option for me as well.
Reply:istilts, I recently got a couple of 80's at Valley Air in Jackson,TN for $160 each. As you know,  not far from you...40 miles maybe. I suggest you call them to get a quote first. Scott at Custom Metals in Paris can exchange them when empty.
Reply:lstilts, the acetylene tanks are not high pressure tanks so likely no direct "exchange" for say oxygen. Other than that, a tank is basically a tank. LWS happily traded unused shiny green one (O2) for full beat up brown one (C25 in my case). They even will "upgrade" if you want to get a larger size by paying a small amount. Call around before driving.Last edited by wirehead; 02-15-2012 at 12:47 PM.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:Thanks for that info. Brad, I called them, they quoted me 150 for the tank, & 18.00 to fill it! Thats much better! If I can't find a used one by the end of next week, I will definitely go with Valley for the new tank.
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsThanks for that info. Brad, I called them, they quoted me 150 for the tank, & 18.00 to fill it! Thats much better! If I can't find a used one by the end of next week, I will definitely go with Valley for the new tank.
Reply:To Tasbiker , they sure charge you a lot for O2 in N.H. In cleveleland , my Airgas charges me $12.00 for a 140 cu ft O2 ,and $30.00 for a 300 cu ft Argon and they NEVER charge for a hydro test.They do not care what date is stamped on the tank.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder RichTo Tasbiker , they sure charge you a lot for O2 in N.H. In cleveleland , my Airgas charges me $12.00 for a 140 cu ft O2 ,and $30.00 for a 300 cu ft Argon and they NEVER charge for a hydro test.They do not care what date is stamped on the tank.
Reply:@ Brad, I don't go to the flea market very often, maybe twice in 5 yrs. I do have a neighbor who goes every tuesday, I will ask him to check & call me if he sees anything.
Reply:Originally Posted by BradTN. . .  I've seen Helium, Acetylene  and Oxygen tanks for sale there, but I don't think I've ever seen a CO2 or Argon tank yet. . .
Reply:A helium tank is the same as an argon tank. The only difference is the sticker.
Reply:rlitman, you are correct, I am an HVAC tech so my first tank was dry nitrogen to pressure test ac/heatpump systems. I swooped it out for a tank of 75/25 argon/co2 when I converted my welder to mig. I now just use that tank for welding & for  presure testing too.  Argon/co2 works great for pressure testing but dry nitrogen for mig welding, not so good, I know, because I tried it! I like craigslist too, farmall, but you have to move fast if you see a good deal!
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsArgon/co2 works great for pressure testing but dry nitrogen for mig welding, not so good, I know, because I tried it! I like craigslist too, farmall, but you have to move fast if you see a good deal!
Reply:Nope, no issues at all, I've been using it for several years now with no problems.  co2 is an accepted gas to prevent oxidizing of copper tubing while brazing the joints together & for pressure tests,now of course it has a little argon mixed with it. I tested it first on some scrap copper first to make sure it worked the same, it gave the same results as co2 or dry nitrogen. Yes, I always pull a vacuum on any sealed system that I repair!
Reply:Got'er done, 80CF  Argon Tank, 3 lbs .030 mig wire, & adapter fittings, $173.84,  Great people @ Valley Air in Jackson, TN. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by rlitmanA helium tank is the same as an argon tank.  The only difference is the sticker.Can you tell if a cylinder has a diptube by looking at the valve? why does it need a diptube when it has co2 in it?
Reply:Oh never mind the second question,it has to be because it turns to liquid when compressed.
Reply:I'm not sure how to tell if a cylinder has a dip tube without pulling the valve.The CO2 actually isn't liquid(don't ask me why,I did and did not understand the explaination).The dip tube is used to help with mixing as the cylinder is filled.
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsCan you tell if a cylinder has a diptube by looking at the valve? why does it need a diptube when it has co2 in it?
Reply:An S USUALLY means a dip tube.I have seen liquid CO2 cylinders that did not have an S on the valve.Your supplier may not use eductor tubes in their argon/CO2 mix cylinders but the suppliers that want a good mix DO.If they do not use the tubes there can be stratification unless they are rolled(time consuming and un-needed using eductor tubes).If CO2 is a liquid in C25 then you are using straight argon otherwise how does the CO2 turn to vapor and mix with the argon?
Reply:Does CO2 separate from Ar in C25? I find that hard to believe. The densities of the two gases are almost identical. I'd think "unmixing" them would take a lot of energy. If the CO2 liquifies, the tank pressure would decrease over time for a bottle left to sit. It usually does, but not for that reason but for leaks.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:The lab tech tried to explain why the CO2 is not liquid but with my not paying attention in high school chemistry classes I could not absorb it.He did say that if the cylinder was in a cold enough atmosphere some CO2 could turn to liquid and as it warms it turns back to vapor but that the amount was small.I see in rlitmans post he did say that in argon/CO2 mixes that the CO2 is a gas.....I missed that when I read the post.There may be some terms getting confused too.I have always heard dip tube and eductor tube used as one in the same and that may not be factual.Last edited by vwguy3; 02-22-2012 at 02:13 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3I have always heard dip tube and eductor tube used as one in the same and that may not be factual.
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsGot'er done, 80CF  Argon Tank, 3 lbs .030 mig wire, & adapter fittings, $173.84,  Great people @ Valley Air in Jackson, TN.
Reply:Thanks, I secured it right after I took the photo. You are absolutely right, it's not worth the risk of not having it secured. The last thing I need is a high pressure tank blasting off in my shop!
Reply:All the mixed gas cylinders I deal with have a dip/siphon tube. As stated above the valve is stamped to differentiate it from a non tube valve. Many of the CO2 with the tube also have the neck painted a different color or/and have a big sticker on the bottle but not all. Read the label and know what you are handling. Just  can't go by the color of the bottle.Side note, also as above, bottle securement is very important. Going through a cinder block wall would be much better than you or others being hit by a run away bottle. Also transporting flamable gases in an enclosed vehicle is a large no-no.Safety is a lifestyle. Just one bad choice in an instant can change lives!Rich
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsGot'er done, 80CF  Argon Tank, 3 lbs .030 mig wire, & adapter fittings, $173.84,  Great people @ Valley Air in Jackson, TN.
Reply:It's my old Lincoln Fleetwelder.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=55899
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsCan you tell if a cylinder has a diptube by looking at the valve? why does it need a diptube when it has co2 in it?
Reply:Thanks T, what was in the cylinder with the dip tube in it?
Reply:Originally Posted by lstiltsThanks T, what was in the cylinder with the dip tube in it?