School me on oxy/act tanks please.

[bad_idea]

I work in ship repair and have used oxy/act around the shop a handful of times. I would like to buy a set of tanks for in the garage but am clueless what size I need. I do not plan on welding with oxy/act because I have a Hobart Handler 187 that does a great job. I would like to use it for bending/shaping and cutting. I plan on using them for hobby use, so I don't think I need a huge set. What size would you guys recommend and how much you figure this is going to cost me?

BTW... I know all of the safety regs (the company has drilled them in deep) and follow them closely at work as well as at home. No need to beat me up on safety guys. Thanks.

 

[tvfd911]

You might want to consider using propane for your fuel if you're only cutting and heating. As far as cylinders go, the bigger the better until you get to the point that it is too big to handle in your garage/shop. Your refill cost for a large or small bottle isn't much different, so your $/ cu ft of gas goes down quite a bit (plus how often you have to run for a refill)

Take a look at the bottles at your local supply house and decide how big you're willing to handle.

 

[russlaferrera]

It depends where you live. Different states have different rules. Go to a gas supplier and ask what they can do for you. Some will sell you tanks new or used, others will lease them per month or a 99 year lease.

The advantage of a 99 year lease is you can drop and pick up tanks. Most gas suppliers do not fill acet tanks. They send them out to a central refill company. With customer owned tanks you have to wait to get your tank back.

AS everyone stated the bigger the tank the cheaper to fill.

 

[mllester]

I think my oxygen is 150 cu ft & acetylene is 75 cu ft - these sizes have worked well in my shop. I think these are the largest Airgas will sell outright here. Any larger and leasing the cylinders is the only option.

 

[diesel research]

Agreed, get the biggest you can fit and move. "economies of scale" or buying in bulk tend to offer you real world cost benefit w/o consequence, so long as it is still portable enough and not consuming too much space. Basically the biggest acetylene tank you can lift and fit. It doesn't spoil (not in any semi-reasonable time frame that i am aware of)

 

[coldfusion21]

Acetylene is in solution in the tank and can only be withdrawn at a rate of 1/7 the total tank capacity. So smaller the tanks=smaller the tip. Of course if your biggest tip isn't that big then you have no worries.

Something to keep in mind.

 

[JayL]

I'm on a hunt for a tank too. But I need it for argon. I forgot where I found this but maybe it could be of help to you too for oxygen tank sizing.

 

[bad_idea]

I have a set of small bottles and had to refill them today. While I was there I asked about bigger bottles. They quoted me a little more than $75 to exchange my small bottles for a set of the largest they sell outright. The next time I run out of gas I will trade up. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[May Pop]

In Chicago land the "hobby size " tanks are about 150-175 empty each. 25 for an oxygen and 100 for an acetelene refill. These prices are from this summer.DONT LEASE your tanks. How would you like to go get them refilled every other year and have to pay the 3-5 dollar a month fee. Buy them outright. Check the refill cost as they can vary from supplier to supplier.
Ron

 

[BeachBum2012]

Reading this got me a bit curious. In cleaning out my MIL's garage we found two oxygen tanks on carts that were used for her mother's breathing problems. Think they could be used for this purpose?

 

[coolguy]

Go as big as your pocket will let you !!!!

 

[Kestas]

I'm an occasional user of oxy-acetylene. I bought the set mainly to loosen rusty automotive bolts and sometimes braze metals together. I bought the "44" size shown in the picture, and I've only half emptied the tanks after 34 years.

 

[bad_idea]

I get a pretty good discount at the weld supply shop because my company does so much business with them. When my pocket will allow I will go back and get the largest size they will sell outright. Until then I am sure these small tanks will last me. Unfortunately after playing with the torch the other night bending some 3/8" round stock I want to use it for more projects. I may burn up these small tanks faster than planned.

 

[Mike007]

Reading this got me a bit curious. In cleaning out my MIL's garage we found two oxygen tanks on carts that were used for her mother's breathing problems. Think they could be used for this purpose?

I tried this, medical uses a different valve.