MIG 75/25 80 CF gas refill suggestions

[roadrunner255]

Good morning all,

Looking to refill/exchange my 75/25 80 CF (#3) tank, I live in the Driftwood area so south is better than traveling to Austin.

BTW, how low is it suggested to go on my existing tank?

I am below 40 psi on the tank gauge.

Thanks!

 

[dcg9381]

Nearest tractor supply (exchange)?

 

[chinboys]

I use either a welding supply store or an air-gas store to refill my tanks. But there is a requirement you need to buy one of their certified tanks initially and hence it is a tank exchange plus gas charge.
Make sure the store you will use doesn't go out of business or risk buy new tanks.

Yes, I asked about the pressure, etc. cert testing of such tanks and no store wants to take the word of another store, etc. It sounds like a way to get us to buy new tanks or rent them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd weld as long as you can, (as a DIYer) until the low pressure starts affecting the weld. You should see the result as soon as it happens.

 

[dcg9381]

I thought the tanks were like BBQ, with a stamp/seal for certification? Problem is a go for years between tanks and even buying a new tank at tractor supply, by the time I take it back, it's out of cert.

 

[clubairth]

It's really hit or miss depending on the shop. I have been turned down for filling anything except their own bottles to what I have now. They are fine filling any bottle as long as the hydro test is good.
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.
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[DTE]

It is all up to the dealer, your at their mercy as there are few options who to deal with.

 

[matt_i]

Typical cert is 10 years. Its a gamble when you get the tank but usually its not a ripoff. I had one that I kept for-eva thru maybe 3 moves and had to pay a $25 recert fee on it when I exchanged. I didn't complain, I had it a long time.

The local welding shop near where I live is fine with exchanging "owned bottles", empty for filled plus $ for the difference.

As above you can run that tank out to nothing but there's going to be a sad pitted place in the weld with what looks like brown rust around it you may have to grind back out. It could get inconvenient if you ran out on Friday before a long holiday weekend, with a project in mind, though.

 

[roadrunner255]

thanks all, great info, I'll be checking out my local TSC.

Had this bottle since 2012!

 

[DTE]

I just swapped out a 80cf 25/75 at Airgas and they did not even look at the tank. Gave me a full one and charged me $70.15. I used to deal with Car Quest but seeing they are no more.

 

[sweetk30]

$70.15 for a 80cf

man i get my 330cf filled for $90.00

i know most of the cost is the trucking and labor but wow thats crazy money .

 

[brownbagg]

they not going filled the tank while there, they will swap tanks, so use all the gas first

 

[teal95]

That's AirGas for you, highest prices around. I go to my local small welding shop. They do exchange or they will fill my tank if I ask. (I have a small tank, next size up from a portable O2 bottle, that I use for portability. Mine has the normal screw on top of larrger tanks while all of them that size that they have have only the handle for protection.). I have had to pay for recert several times. The tanks are stamped with month and year so it's pretty easy to tell when they're out of date, and also how old the tank is.

 

[58Yeoman]

I seldom use my torch, so I usually pay the recert cost when I exchange. I use Bennett supply, and they always gave me another tank. It's been a while, so they may have been bought out, too.

I agree on AirGas. I called them once for propane for the house and shop; wow! Major cost difference from the others.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I never had a problem with my tanks being refilled, saying that, tho, I do have an ancient Acetylene tank that I'm still nursing off of... wonder what they'll nail me for doing a recert on it, and if it'd be worth it to replace it when the time comes with a larger one anyway...

Also a question - the only way I can transport it is on it's side... how long do I have to let it "settle" before I can use it?

 

[Steveodle]

58$ for my 80cf tank, 75/25 mix,
And a bag of wire wipers

Sent from my SM-N950U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[lbpd716]

Here in my part of California, they don't even look at the tank you bring in - will only swap it out if owned. They price in the cost of the hydro testing with every swap.

That said, I was able to exchange a 75/25 at AirGas (318CF) for under 80 bucks.

The big stress factor for me initially was finding good tanks for exchange. All of the ones I could find on marketplace or craigslist were just too expensive and I figured way out of date.

I ended up going to a scrap metal recycling center and was able to get some great shape (yet still out of date oxygen 330's for $20 each. Traded one in for 100% Argon and the other for 75/25 with no questions asked.

 

[nadogail]

I never had a problem with my tanks being refilled, saying that, tho, I do have an ancient Acetylene tank that I'm still nursing off of... wonder what they'll nail me for doing a recert on it, and if it'd be worth it to replace it when the time comes with a larger one anyway...

Also a question - the only way I can transport it is on it's side... how long do I have to let it "settle" before I can use it?

Based on what I was told in High School Auto Shop, Over night should be sufficient.

 

[sweetk30]

ya the airgas place here in my area is a set price . but for years i would get the gass at the independent mom/pop shop just up the road for half the price no b/s . . . . and the sticker on the tank was airgas .

 

[greg13]

Use a welding supply if possible. The supply co. I use was telling me that he has had a few tanks from farm supply companies come through with a DOT # that are NOT refillable. You can buy tanks from welding supply houses if you don't use enough for a lease.