buying used tanks ?

[Blown S-10]

did a search, not anything in the titles.

i have a line on a 140cf tank. don't know anything about it, havn't seen it.

what advice is there on buying used tanks ? like #'s that say the last time it was seviced, or what its for, etc. will a argon type regulater fit on an a/o tank ?

don't want to buy junk, or wrong tank.

thanx.

btw. i think it would be a good idea to put a regulater on it before buying. could the regulater be turned down low enough to not leak, no hose on it ?

[aametalmaster]

I bought some used tanks once, the problem is that they are yours, yours to get inspected yours to get sent out and filled. Some places won't fill your bottle on the spot and they send them out at there time frame. My buddy just bought a small cutting outfit from Sears the local guy wont fill the bottles, but he will exchange them for his. Now he has your new bottles and you have the used ones you should have "bought" from him in the first place. My bottles are marked "SOLD" on the ring and i just exchange them that way someone else worrys about the pressure checks. But i have all the paper work if i should sell them. Then the new owner starts over at the same supplier with no problems...Jusy my .02...Bob

[hankj]

I "own" my O/A and shielding gas tanks also. All that really means here where I live is that I don't pay anyone an annual rental/lease fee, and I don't have to pay for hydrostatic testing, as I will always receive a current tank when I exhange at fill time.

As far as a used tank goes, check the hydro date on the top of the tank near the valve ring. If it is out of date, you'll have to pay your gas dealer for testing it before anything else happens. I don't know if they will hold your tank and fill it, or swap for a full one - that's kinda a local thing.

As far as valve and regulators go, you can go to westernenterprises.com and download a pdf that has every conversion fitting and tank valve in the CGA.
When you inspect the tank, look for arc strikes on the outside, and if you see any, don't buy. I don't see the point of putting a regulator on the tank and turning the adjustment all the way out. All that will prove is that the regulator is good.

Let us know how you make out.

Hank

[Too_Many_Tools]

I have been looking into this subject lately....what a pain.

Let me say that I tend to buy ALL my tools used BUT I will be buying my tanks new.

I recently came across some used argon tanks just the size that I needed for my new 180SD. Since I knew little to nothing of the subject, I decided to do some research...I am very glad that I did.

After checking, I find hydrotesting is good for ten years from the date stamped on the tank. Otherwise it is $25-$40 per tank with no guarantee that it will pass. If the tank does not pass, you lose the tank.

Next you need to be sure that the tank you are considering doesn't belong to someone else. If it does, it will be confiscated when you go to have it filled.

The next problem is that you really don't know what kind of gas is in a tank when you buy it from a seller and any company will not believe you or the seller as to what is in it. So you are effectively buying an empty tank.

Finally, if you see yourself moving in the near future you will find that different regions of the country have different policies as to how they treat your tanks. Some areas will accept tanks without question, other areas will require you to go through considerable hassle if they will accept them at all.

So unless you are getting an used tank for almost nothing, one is much better off just buying it new. That way you are in the computerized system and the hassle factor is minimal.

TMT

[timw]

I own 4 tanks, O,Acty, 75/25 and argon. Your first stop is where you will be getting them filled. Find out their policy. Here in Jacksonville certain sizes can be owned, others must be rented. If the seller truely owns the tank he can tell you where he gets it filled and that store will tell you if ownership is transferable.
Here's a tip also, someone dumped a rental cylinder in a friends yard (most likely stollen) I took it back to my filler (his markings on cyl) I told him where I got it. He gave me my tank fill for free for returning it. Also I stopped on trash day and picked up a 2' tall CO2 cylinder someone put out. I took it to my filler and ask about exchanging it for an Argon cyl. He charged me $20. plus gas to swap them out. My point is ask questions and check your options you never know!

[Blown S-10]

i got in contact with the guy. he said its from and old job, whatever that means. i will ask if he actually owns it, or its on permanent borrow. either way i think it could be filled no problem. the place i use fills my tanks. though i think i would swap this one to get a tested bottle. he said it was filled about a year ago, and probably still has gas in it. i won't rent. but what i am worried about : them "saying" its not owned by me, and confiscating it.
it has some welding companies name on it, but so do the 2 tanks i have now MITLER, that were swaped with bran new ones i bought from IOC.
or it somehow not being servicable.

TIG uses a lot of gas. here, 80cf argon $29 for 1800psi or $37 for 140cf. seems most of the cost is for labor, not gas.

you will know what happens, hopefully soon.

[Blown S-10]

i have it now, $40. he said it was given to him because they got rid of the welders. he said if i had any problems he would give my money back. so i'm going to try to exchange it in the morning.

my 80cf is 36" to top of valve. this one is 46" to top of valve. both 7" round.
what size is it ?

[wrench3047]

my 80cf is 36" to top of valve. this one is 46" to top of valve. both 7" round.
what size is it ?

I'm not an expert or even close but i turned on the calculator and i figured 102cf

[Blown S-10]

i never heard of that size.

[hankj]

The capacity should be stamped on the tank in all the rest of that info. up on top near the valve ring.

Hank

[Blown S-10]

if it is, its in some kind of top secret code that i don't know how to decifer.
neither of my tanks are marked with an understandable sizing, other than the physical size it self.

somehow i think its a 120cf.

i figured by now someone would have measured their tank for me and posted, hmmm.

[klsm54]

It is most likely a 125 cf cylinder. Here is a link to Taylor Whartons site that gives dimensions to cylinders..... Cylinder Specs

The tank does not have to have a capacity marked on it, but it must have the pressure, i.e. 3AA2015, 3AA2265 etc.

[Blown S-10]

thanx for the link. knowing my luck its a 110cf. but for what i paid for it its well worth it, IF it will be swapped for a simple bottle fill price. i'm going to find out shortly.

[hankj]

Scott,

Yeah, all that's required are the DOT things, I guess. Two out of four of mine had the volume stamped. It was worth a try...

Raining hard here (a GOOD thing) today. Thw way the wind is blowing, I'll be on the generator pretty soon. Too cold for a beer. Let's see - I THINK there's a bottle of brandy...

Have a good day, gang!

Hank

[wrench3047]

i never heard of that size.

me either but if i did right thats what the math says. probly be more acurate if have hieght to bottom of valve. just an idea