TOOLS AND THE SHOP > WELDING & METAL FABRICATION

Oxygen & Acetylene Torch

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highland512:
I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to get a O&A torch set for cutting and heating. My father in law has a spare cart, hoses, and regulators he giving me. This leaves me with needing to get the bottles. How do you guys do this? Buy/lease? Being younger it seems more logical to buy but am I mistaken? I go to farm auctions all the time and see full sets that sell, I am assuming if I was to buy one of these sets when the tanks ran dry I would just go to my local welding supply and swap them for new filled bottles?

Uncle Buck:
I think things are different in different parts of the country. For example, in some parts of the country if you cannot show title papers for the bottles you are having filled you are just SOL.

That said, in Kansas and Missouri the states where I have lived I bought my bottles (6) through the years used and never had any issues getting them filled even though I have no papers on any of my bottles.

I would suggest getting new prices then waiting and finding them used if you can.  I know I saved a ton on the cost of the bottles that way

One very important note on buying used welding gas cylinders. PRIOR TO PUECHASING USED CYLINDERS INSPECT THEM CAREFULLY. IF YOU FIND ANY MAJOR GASHES, ARC WELD SPOTS, SERIOUS DINGS OR DENTS DO NOT BUY THE CYLINDER BECAUSE NO ONE WILL REFILL IT FOR YOU!

bonneyman:
When I got my tanks 20+ years ago they were supposedly leased. Was told when you traded them back in down the road it would be easy to do - owned tanks you'd have to do hydrostatic testing, keep records, there'd be concerns about ownership, etc.
So I went leased. Then tried to trade them back in and "we don't do that anymore". So I kept them. Do occasional brazing, welding, etc. and the cost of filling the tanks though it has gone up ain't that bad. Can always use a torch. But Bucks advice of good used tanks sounds like a good deal.

slip knot:
I own all my bottles and they never give me any grief when swapping them out. I dont use it that often so the oxygen tank will age out. They need to be inspected and hydrostatic tested ever so many years. I used to be charged @$40 for a test but the last few I've taken in haven't cost me anything extra. I even told them they're probably out of date.

At the start of the scamdemic I took all my bottles in for refill. 3 oxygen and 4 acetylene. I figured that if things got crazy having those around might be beneficial. At this point I figure I got a lifetime supply.

goodfellow:
As many have said, it varies great depending on where you live. One important aspect of getting "used" cylinders is that a great many gas suppliers these days will look at the last hydraulic water pressure test that was performed on the cylinders to ensure that they are still in spec. The pressure test date is usually stamped on the neck of the cylinder. Assuming that the pressure test is within the allowed timeframe, then there should be no issues getting your own cylinders refilled. Problem is you will have to wait a few days for your cylinders to get refilled.

Alternatively if they are out of spec, it behooves you to trade them in for a replacement set from the dealer -- that's were it becomes often a sticky situation, because it's at that point that many suppliers will ask for receipt of ownership. The good news is that once you do establish a good relationship with a gas supplier, they will take pretty much anything from you, no questions asked.

BTW -- in my area, the suppliers will take smaller MC series (porta=pack) cylinders no matter what -- no questions asked.

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