- Joined
- Jan 23, 2012
- Messages
- 1,216
this is where the "48 hour rule" applies.
if she does not see them in 48 hours, you can tell her they've been there for months, if not years. . .
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cutting torch/ tank selection
- Thread starter mzayd3
- Start date
this is where the "48 hour rule" applies.
if she does not see them in 48 hours, you can tell her they've been there for months, if not years. . .
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Messages
- 390
One thing not mentioned so far (unless I missed it) - check with the suppliers in your area to make sure they will fill privately owned tanks. In my area THEY WILL NOT. The only option I have is to lease tanks. So before spending any money on tanks of any size, check with yor local gas suppliers and see what their policy is. Many do not even fill tanks locally - they send them to a central location to be refilled, so even if they do fill privately owned tanks, it may take several days to get them filled. My father had a lease with a local company for years, when he quit doing shop work, leases were hard to get in my area. I was able to take over his lease and have held it through the company changing hands several times. With a lease, you also have the option to change the size of your tanks much more easily as well, in case you choose the wrong size to begin with.
I purchases 80/160 Oxy/Acetylene and a 160 C25 from national welders several years ago. The 160 was the largest tank they sell. Larger tanks are lease only. The 160 cost was not much more than the 80 at the time i concluded that the tanks all cost about the same. I can drive to local National welders /air products exchange tanks within a few minutes and be on my way. Have never been charged any tank maintenance fees or ask for paperers to prove ownership. If you buy used beware that most welding suppliers will only exchange tanks with their name on the head of the tank. Some will fill other tanks but you drop off and pick up the same tank days later. Other than being closed on Saturdays i have no complaints with national. Just back up to the dock with your empty National tank, the dock crew will unload it and load a full exchange tank while you go in and pay.
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2013
- Messages
- 2,651
Mississippi Welding is happy to exchange my privately-owned tanks. They treat the them as completely interchangeable. I have no idea where "my" tanks are now.
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Mzayd3,
Let me add a safety tip :
When you turn off your tanks for the day after you close the valves on the top, back the regulator screws out.The gauges will last longer and the risk of fire or explosion goes way down.
When you go to use them again turn the tank valves on SLOW. O2 all the way Gas no more than one turn. Then set your working pressure on your regulators.
**********Just Saying****************Gator****************
Let me add a safety tip :
When you turn off your tanks for the day after you close the valves on the top, back the regulator screws out.The gauges will last longer and the risk of fire or explosion goes way down.
When you go to use them again turn the tank valves on SLOW. O2 all the way Gas no more than one turn. Then set your working pressure on your regulators.
**********Just Saying****************Gator****************
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2013
- Messages
- 302
if you're going to buy tanks buy the biggest that they will sell. Nothing worse than being in the middle of a project and having tanks run out. Airco.com has a site that gives the sizes of tanks that are for lease or for purchase. Both sets I own were given to me and I had them rebuilt. Check craigslist and classified listings. As with everything made today the quality not what it once was. You can get some good quality torch sets and regulators pretty reasonable.