Argon, Helium prices

[Ken]

First let me say thanks to all those who contribute here. I just registered, but have been reading older posts for a while. The information contained here is awesome.

I have yet to make my way to the local welding supplier. So I thought I'd ask: what do the Tig shielding gases cost? I guess tanks come in different sizes. What are those sizes and corresponding costs?

[Hobbyist]

I'm new at this, but my advice would be shop around. I got prices from three suppliers in my area for a 125cf cylinder filled with Argon that ranged from $150 to $245. Refills seem to vary somewhat less.

[klsm54]

Cylinders, being made of steel, have taken a considerable jump of late. Prices may be quite a bit more than somebody paid last year.

A 125 size cylinder should sell in the $170-200 range, a 200 size in $220-250 range, and a 300 size for $235-290. Anything higher than those prices is getting a little out of line.

As far as the gas goes, it will vary, but I would expect the price for a 125 cu. ft Argon refill to be between $20.00 and $30.00, again more is bordering on price gouging. A 250 cu ft should run maybe $35.00 to $50.00 and a 336 cu ft refill ought to fall in $50.00 to $70.00 range. These prices are estimates, they may vary from area to area, but anything higher than my high ranges is really out of line, no matter where you live.

Helium has risen considerably this year too, expect to pay 2 to 3 times what you pay for argon, mixes will fall proportionately in between.

[HAWK]

Makes me wonder, but I have a great dealer:

I rent the 300CF steel tanks with 75%helium/25%argon mix for $8 per month. My refills run me $33 per tank for this mix and $20 per refill for 100% argon.

I think a lot of dealers are price gouging right now because they can. KLSM54 has a reputable dealership and his prices only reflect true increases. Also the area has a lot to do with the market prices.

[hankj]

Hawk,

You wanna become a sub-distibutor?? I'll buy from ya!! $43.68 + tax today for 80cf of C-25. (The tank was $135 when I bought it last month.)

Be well.

hank

[klsm54]

Maybe I should have clarified. The prices I am talking about are walk in, "off the street" prices. In the welding industry, just as many other industries, prices are very negotiable after one establishes himself as a viable, and repeat customer. Is it right that one guy pays $20.00 for the same refill that the next guy pays $45.00 or $50.00 for? Personally, I don't think so. I think the disparity is too great, and in this industry it seems to get bigger.

Distributors, due to increased competition, along with disappearing customers, are so afraid to lose a larger customer that they cater to them with increasingly lower prices. In order to make up for these disappearing profit margins, the over the counter prices get raised, sometimes to ridiculous levels. I am part of this system, not by choice, and I despise it greatly. But, sadly, it seems to continue with no end in sight.

I feel that the large customer should be rewarded with good pricing, but it should be a fair discount from a FAIR list price. Not an 80-85% discount from an over inflated list price....

[fun4now]

Not an 80-85% discount from an over inflated list price....

just need to lose the inflated list price and we will all weld happy-er?i pay a flat rate of $50.00 a year to rent a 155 tank but fill it for mig . not shoure if its the same tanks. you tiger's could tell as im geting tig next month (crossed finger's)i hope i hope!!oh back to the point i have 2 distributors within 1/4 mile of each other i think they keep each other in line on pricing as they bolth compeet for the same limited market.

[HAWK]

Originally posted by hankj
Hawk,

You wanna become a sub-distibutor?? I'll buy from ya!! $43.68 + tax today for 80cf of C-25. (The tank was $135 when I bought it last month.)

Be well.

hank

hank,

I know you are making light of the situation and I can appreciate that. If I could, I would. I will do anything I can do to help anyone on this forum. However, as you, I, and all the enviro guys know I can't help with this one.

I have never conducted any welding business near your area or would be glad to make some calls. If you are ever in TN, look me up. Enjoy the California sun!

My biggest ace with this dealer is a faithful relationship spanning a decade and then some. Not only do I do my business there, but I recommend them to many clients. Am I there biggest customer? Not by a long shot. However, they treat as though I am and that makes the difference-not only on price, but service!!!

I used to deal with some other guys in town, but they saw I was buying regular and started jacking the prices a bit a time hoping my watchful eyes were closed. It back fired.

[hankj]

Actually, the supplier I use has a strange relationship with HIS supplier! He resells AIRGAS product, but chaeaper than I can buy the same product at AIRGAS.

I've dealt with him for everything (except the MM135 - he sells "red" ones) since I started last year, and he has done me a lot of favors as far as advice and product reccommendations. Like Hawk says, that may be why I pay less at his store. The only other games in town are higher still, so I guess I'm not hurtin' all that bad.

In any case, all the Gadget Garage projects are temporarily on hold until either the steel price comes down or somebody wants me to do something that they'll pay for!!

Be well.

hank

[BCarlucci]

Well, coming from a distributor of gas and welding supplies, for a mixture of he 75% and ar 25% is around 45-50 a refill and leases per year are around $35 to $45. Also straight Ar 100% is 35.00-40.00. As for those other prices for around 200.00 dollars i'm not sure if your talking about buying a large tank outright? I know here in CT we only sell small tanks from 20 cuft to 80 cuft, anything large you have to rent or lease, rents are tough do to the fact that your paying ea. month, some of you guys might want to ask about leaseing the cylinders, it'll save you an extra 2 months of rent and it's once a year bill. Also for the smaller customers we don't over price you guys do to the fact that you guys are our main customer base, yes it's nice to have those large accounts, but you small guys are easier to deal with, it's more personal and i like dealing with you guys better because i'm dealing with welders, not some purchasing agent who has no idea what they're talking about. Well at any rate, i think the prices i gave will vary depending on who your supplier is and where your located. I do know that for the price of argon and helium has gone up, i just got hit with an increase from my supplier, but it wasn't as bad as i thought, prices should still be pretty good.

BC

[BCarlucci]

Hawk,

All i have to say is that your getting some really good pricing there, the prices i gave are for small to medium size customers, larger customers get a little bit better but not by much. It all depends on the competition, we have some suppliers, i will not name names, that like to low ball the **** out of prices just to gain business, then in 4-6 months raise the pricing to over what i was orginally charging them. So it all depends, as a distributor i suggest to my customers that every 2 years or so to call up other distributors and get quotes on their gas, that not only keeps my company honest, but it most cases shows my customers how much i'm saving them. But on the same token it all depends on the distributor your dealing with. Sometimes those large suppliers don't treat you right where us smaller ones do. So i say look around and see who's out there. Best of luck finding some good pricing guys and remember, we're used to getting beat up on prices, so don't worry if you tell you distributor you want a better price.

BC

[migmaniac70]

I paid 35.00 for a one year lease for a 80cf tank, and it cost 29.95 to refill.

[bobthewelder]

I have two distributors in my area. One of them will only sell you the rights to the tanks, and you have to pay for testing and re-valving when and if it comes up. The other distributor will rent month to month, lease year to year(this is what I do), or sell you the rights. I lease and they take care of all tank maint. If you buy from them, you have to pay for the hydro and valving as needed as well. Shop around, I find that leasing a bottle at $55.00 a year is the best option for me at this time. Some places will sell you the tank and take care of the maint. as well, this would be great if you find one that works this way.

[hankj]

Bob,

Don't know where in the country you are, but around here, the price you pay to own the cylinder includes the right to exchange it for a full one (with current hydro, etc.) for the price of the gas only. You pay up front for the lifetime maintenance of the cylinder.

Be well.

hank

[Blown S-10]

i just, about 2 months ago, bought 2 80cf tanks from IOC. i got them swap filled for about $32 each, argon & C25. i didn't shop around. has in a hurry to get things running, & the place is 2 blocks from my house. i'm going to shop around for the next refill, and am also going to ask about tank ownership. i KNOW i own them, but the next place may have their own ideas, GOTTA be cautius these days.