Cost of Welding Gas?

I'd like to teach myself how to torch weld. Already have a brand new torch & regulator still in the box.

What's a ballpark guesstimate of how much I should expect to pay for a cylinder of acetylene and a cylinder of oxygen? I'm thinking like 4' tall cylinders that would last me a while.

Thanks,

Patrick

I have found that the prices are all over the lot. I have paid as much as $30 for a B cylinder of acetylene and as little as $23 in the same month, depending on where I get it. I have no idea as to how much oxygen is costing today, since I am still using my supply from years ago. Unless you are a commercial account, they will stick it to you on price. It is best to buy your own tanks if you can afford it. Renting gets expensive quickly.. Junk..

Junkman pretty much summed it up.
How much you pay for a 122 Oxygen (about 8" diameter 4 feet high) depends on who you are, where you are, and what suplier you're dealing with. I picked one up last onth, and for the first time in years asked the price. 11 bucks for the fill of my customer owned tank. A B Prestolite costs me 13 bucks for the fill, 40cf of acetelene.

Now I been buying from that suplier for 40+ years, and my bill is always paid. You could be standing at the counter next to me and would probably pay more for the same gas cash on the counter. The main difference, they know I'll put more money across that counter than you will.

Honestly the gas pumped into the cylinder is probably the least part of what you pay for. Small bottles and large bottles both cost as much labor to fill, and the insurance cost is equal too. Then add in the half million dollars the dealer just spent on fill equipment to do Oxygen, Acetelene, Argon and Helium. He ain't eating that cost. Then there is the BIGGY, insurance. Every bottle going out the door pays part of the insurance cost. The damn insurace company is making more $$$ per bottle than the dealer is, and has no investment in the business.

I used to work for a compressed gas company in the greater Chicago area. I would think that you should shop around for your best price. The only thing really that should be affecting the price is higher fuel costs, electricity and insurance. Nobody is really building new fill plants anymore, the major players just buy each other up and take over existing facilities, so the cost of producing is pretty much the same. Each market in the major metro areas tries to be pretty competitive.