Argon Cylinder Question

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I have a chance to buy a large full Argon tank ( not sure the size exactly the guy said it was 58" tall)  anyway, I have a Millermatic 185 and was wondering if first, $150 is a good price for a tank that size, second, after the argon runs out, can the same cylinder be filled with argon/co2 mix gas, or even exchanged for mixed gas?
Reply:Reasonable price getting it filled ? depends on you relationship with your LWS
Reply:That's a good price. If the bottle is privately owned, then you are good to go. If the bottle has a stamp on it from one of the big shops like say Airgas, then other shops may not want to touch that bottle, and you would have to exchange it at Airgas.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:It's not a steal, but a fair deal if it's an OWNED tank, and not a stolen rental.
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702It's not a steal, but a fair deal if it's an OWNED tank, and not a stolen rental.
Reply:I think he was concerned about refilling with different gas?  I don't think most suppliers refill the "same tank" they exchange as long as the tanks are in current Hydro.  Shouldn't be a problem if you are exchanging like size tanks.  I just purchased a 330cf Argon bottle and it cost me $280.  The 250cf was only $25 less, both include initial fill.  (as was said, you would be best to purchase one that has no name stamp on it (at least in my area) NOTE: most rental tanks have distributor stamp and they likely will not be exchanged, and you might end up being liable for them?As a side note I just purchased used an O/A setup that had owner tanks 150's with Victor regs and large/ small torches, rose bud and a few welding tips, Speedglass utility hood, and like new cart for $240 and I thought I got a fair deal for my area.TimLast edited by Ultrachop; 12-29-2008 at 10:00 PM.Reason: missed somethingA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:All i can tell from the picture is that it is either dark green or black with a red top.  I don't know if anybody can tell anything from that description.  I attached a picture i think... Attached Images
Reply:Talk to your LWS. Mine was very helpful with the "how to tell if it's an owner tank". One as mentioned above is if it has a stamp of the gas or welding company. The other I was told is the pressure rating...the owner tanks are pressure rated less than the rental tanks. I think it was ~1700psi owner tanks and ~2400psi rentals. I think I've posted this a few times before.
Reply:The older company-owned tanks have the company name in raised letters on the ring below the valve. Bottles should also have the company name or its abbreviation as part of the original serial number. A number of companies manufacture and sell tanks, Coyne being one that comes to mind; I think I've seen its name as part of a SN for a bottle I saw recently.As for refilling/(exchanging) with a different gas, that should be no problem, especially if it uses the same valve. The only exceptions are for Co2 which as a liquid, has a lower pressure, and (obviously) acetylene.Hi-jack Question:   How many company-owned brands can you think of in addition to Linde, Airco, Presto-Lite (sp?), Matheson(?),
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldiron2Hi-jack Question:   How many company-owned brands can you think of in addition to Linde, Airco, Presto-Lite (sp?), Matheson(?),
Reply:Record ALL info on the clinder and visit your LWS and you'll find out what you may be able to do with the cylinder.Cylinders used to be stamped "Customer Owned" by Airgas, not so now.  Your ownership is recorded using paperwork now.  I own all my cylinders, and every one of them has the Airgas ring around the neck.  If I ever decide to sell them, I must provide the new owner with a Bill of Sale and a copy of my ownership records from Airgas.Back to your question about refilling with Argon/CO2.  Your LWS would simply exchange the cylinder with the gas mixture you desire.  I know of no LWS that refills cylinders while you wait.
Reply:the tank in the picture is not tied off and doesnt have a cap  screwed on over the valve...you said its full, to  me thats over 2000psi...
Reply:Weldbead caught something important here.... get a cap for the bottle before you transport it. If you bring in a bottle with no cap, you WILL be charged for a cap when you exchange or fill the bottle. The gas supplier can not legally send that bottle out of the shop with no cap.Just get a rapport with a smaller welding supply shop, and they will take care of you. I take my bottles to Praxair, California welding supply, and sometimes to Airgas. Every once in a while, I wind up getting a shop bottle on the exchange that is stamped. This is only when that is the only bottles they happen to have full when I get there. When this happens, I ask them to note that it was a customer owned bottle, and next time, I get a regular bottle back.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Originally Posted by flydrifter... The other I was told is the pressure rating...the owner tanks are pressure rated less than the rental tanks. I think it was ~1700psi owner tanks and ~2400psi rentals. I think I've posted this a few times before.
Reply:Yup, I have 13 owner tanks and they all come back at 2100 or more. Less than 1900 and they get sent back. You were told wrong.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Originally Posted by gjgarreAll i can tell from the picture is that it is either dark green or black with a red top.  I don't know if anybody can tell anything from that description.  I attached a picture i think...