MIG gas prices

[superduty1]

Where do you buy your gas for MIG welding? I use 75/25 and have a 60 cu ft bottle. In the past I have gone to AIRGAS and used a friends account for a better than "walk in" pricing. My friends company has moved to Texas and his account with AIRGAS is no more.

I went to AIRGAS yesterday and the guy tells me $77 to swap out the bottle (I own the bottle). I thought that was high. After a little bit of haggling he sold it to me for $40 + fees and tax = $55.68.

Kind of annoying that the no haggle "walk in" price is almost $22 more than the haggle price.

I just called Praxair and they said $42. I didn't ask them about their fees. Worth it to pay a few dollars more if I don't have to haggle.

Airgas has a cylinder maintenance fee of $3.40 and a hazmat fee of $7.45

FWIW, I am in Southern California

 

[Stooge]

I go to airgas for my tanks, i think my last mig tank (80) was around the $60, but one of the guys there a few yrs ago set me as a business account so theres some discount. I know some people like to **** on airgas for prices and not being an indy LWS, but theyre the most convenient to me and my shop, friendly staff that will sit around and ******** with me amd maybe toss in a freeby now and then, and there just arent that many welding supply shops around here. The next closest LWS is a town over and in a bad part of that town, both in the people that live there as well as its a ****** drive over there with the condition of the roads, the traffic and all of the short intersections, makes it a solid half hr drive minimum. 5minute drive to airgas and $5 or $10 more is well worth it to me.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I go to my local Airgas and have an account for the Farm. I can't remember an exact price offhand but my bottles are 300cf and I can't remember ever having a fill/swap of any shielding gas that cost over $100.

 

[bdbecker]

That pricing you posted is right in line with what we're paying. Sounds like the Airgas salesman just gave you the business account pricing instead of the walk-in pricing.

 

[American Locomotive]

I never understood the point of "owning" a bottle, but then getting it swapped out anyways? I bought a bottle, and just get it filled.

 

[dr_clyde]

I get all my gas from the local welding supply. They are a great vendor. It’s a local chain, they beat the pants off all the big corporate gas companies.

I own approximately 20 cylinders. About half are the 330cf size. I own whatever cylinders I have in my possession at any given time. When I need gas, the delivery truck swaps them out for another cylinder that I then own. I’m always guaranteed a cylinder that’s in good test and certified.

I just signed my gas price agreement for the next two years and I’m locked in right around $35 for a 330 CF argon and within a buck or two of that for 330 CF of 75/25 and 90/10.

We use about 2 to 3 cylinders a week in my shop.

 

[Farmall450]

I get all my gas from the local welding supply. They are a great vendor. It’s a local chain, they beat the pants off all the big corporate gas companies.

I own approximately 20 cylinders. About half are the 330cf size. I own whatever cylinders I have in my possession at any given time. When I need gas, the delivery truck swaps them out for another cylinder that I then own. I’m always guaranteed a cylinder that’s in good test and certified.

I just signed my gas price agreement for the next two years and I’m locked in right around $35 for a 330 CF argon and within a buck or two of that for 330 CF of 75/25 and 90/10.

We use about 2 to 3 cylinders a week in my shop.

That's the way to do it. Unfortunately, most of us don't do nearly that volume. I have seen Farm & Fleet has thoroughbred for homegamers that only do a bottle every 20 years. Exchange or buy only; no refilling yours on site, of course.

 

[dr_clyde]

I should point out that my pricing and service isn’t tied to my volume or being a business. They treated me just as good as a hobbiest. All I needed was an account so they could assign a salesman.

 

[matt_i]

Eventually your owned cylinder is going out of certification by date and (here) you pay $25 when you hit that point. If you are astute with the date stamps you can probably dodge it pretty well.

 

[juddspaintballs]

Airgas is just shy of $80 for me to swap out a 80 cu ft cylinder.

 

[bdbecker]

That's the way to do it. Unfortunately, most of us don't do nearly that volume. I have seen Farm & Fleet has thoroughbred for homegamers that only do a bottle every 20 years. Exchange or buy only; no refilling yours on site, of course.

I think Thoroughbred are onto something. Their gas prices are actually pretty competitive now - for me to swap out my 80cf bottle at the local Northern Tool, it's actually cheaper than what Airgas would charge me on a walk-in price ($50 vs $63). I'm sure I could get a better price from Airgas if I asked, but I like the fact that if I need gas on a Saturday afternoon, I can be up and running again within a half hour by swapping bottles at the NT just a few miles away from my house. If I was tied to Airgas, I'd have to wait until Monday and burn up my entire lunch hour driving to the other side of town and back.

 

[Farmall450]

I think Thoroughbred are onto something. Their gas prices are actually pretty competitive now - for me to swap out my 80cf bottle at the local Northern Tool, it's actually cheaper than what Airgas would charge me on a walk-in price ($50 vs $63). I'm sure I could get a better price from Airgas if I asked, but I like the fact that if I need gas on a Saturday afternoon, I can be up and running again within a half hour by swapping bottles at the NT just a few miles away from my house. If I was tied to Airgas, I'd have to wait until Monday and burn up my entire lunch hour driving to the other side of town and back.

I agree. It's a handy commodity. Shielding gas was oddly hard to get for something in so many shops around here. I never understood why welding supplies were impossible to get outside of F&F. TSC has a small selection of a few consumables, ace had a few boxes of rod and the stingers before they closed, but anything non (china)/unusual was a drive to either Rockford or Janesville

 

[vanapplebomb]

Asking $77 for swapping out a 60CF tank?!?! That’s insane.

My local Paxair will swap out my 120CF C25 (75 Argon / 25 CO2) for about 35 bucks plus tax.

You are being taken for a ride man...

 

[ItsNemo]

TSC up here swap out price is $100 CAD for a 80cf C25...you guys have it easy.

 

[brownbagg]

I never understood the point of "owning" a bottle, but then getting it swapped out anyways? I bought a bottle, and just get it filled.

so they dont charge me $45 dollars a year per bottle

 

[American Locomotive]

so they dont charge me $45 dollars a year per bottle

I'm not debating renting vs. owning. I just find it odd that people will "buy" a bottle, but then still do bottle swap service. My "owned" bottle gets filled. I get the same bottle back that I handed them.

 

[dr_clyde]

I'm not debating renting vs. owning. I just find it odd that people will "buy" a bottle, but then still do bottle swap service. My "owned" bottle gets filled. I get the same bottle back that I handed them.

I never have to pay for a hydro test or any potential maintenance like paint or valve repair.

I just get a fresh, full cylinder every time.

It’s also much faster, you never are waiting on them to fill your stuff. Just swap and go.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I'm not debating renting vs. owning. I just find it odd that people will "buy" a bottle, but then still do bottle swap service. My "owned" bottle gets filled. I get the same bottle back that I handed them.

From the other side of the fence I find it odd that anyone cares whether they keep their original owned bottle or swap each time? Is there something that makes "your" bottle special? Paint a mural on it or have sentimental attachment?

I own all my bottles to save what would be several hundred dollars in lease/rental fees annually. When I swap I get a bottle that looks just like mine, is current in test, and usually has better paint.

I'm not even sure if it would be possible to have "my bottle" filled with the local supplier?

 

[American Locomotive]

At my place, all the rented/swapped bottles are beat, while the bottle I bought looks brand new. Not sure it really matters, but having something I "bought" be taken away and swapped with another just sits odd with me.

 

[dr_clyde]

Yeah, my gas dealer paints the cylinders regularly. They all look sharp and clean for the most part. A few scuffs and scrapes, but if they get too banged up they give them some love with a paint roller.

 

[Craftfab]

I own 80's and they cost me $35 to refill. Both 75/25 and Argon.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I'm not debating renting vs. owning. I just find it odd that people will "buy" a bottle, but then still do bottle swap service. My "owned" bottle gets filled. I get the same bottle back that I handed them.

In my area no one will fill a bottle while you wait. So your choices are buy and swap, rent monthly, or bring in your bottle and wait 7-10 days to get it back full.

As a hobbyist, renting didn't make any sense. I don't want to make two trips to wait at least a week when I need something NOW. So buying and swapping made the most sense. And I never have to worry about expired tanks.

 

[Aaron_W]

At my place, all the rented/swapped bottles are beat, while the bottle I bought looks brand new. Not sure it really matters, but having something I "bought" be taken away and swapped with another just sits odd with me.

I bought one of "their" bottles so it doesn't really matter that I swap. Sometimes I get a nicer one, sometimes less nice.

I have the option to keep the bottle at any point, but then become responsible for repair, replacement, certification. Plus with the volume they do if having a pretty bottle mattered to me, I'm sure I could bug the guy and he would let me pick one out of the filled stack.

 

[American Locomotive]

In my area no one will fill a bottle while you wait. So your choices are buy and swap, rent monthly, or bring in your bottle and wait 7-10 days to get it back full.

As a hobbyist, renting didn't make any sense. I don't want to make two trips to wait at least a week when I need something NOW. So buying and swapping made the most sense. And I never have to worry about expired tanks.

Maybe that's the difference. My place will just fill the bottle for you while you wait. Doesn't take very long.

I do get the whole deal about expired tanks, but the certs are what, ten years? The $3 or whatever bottle fee they charge whenever they swap tanks probably adds up to the cost of a cert anyways.

 

[sleepb_boz]

local mob charges around $180 for a refill of a 8.7m3 "G" size bottle, ive heard you can also buy the bottle though im not sure of the price

work gets a delivery of ARCAL (75-25) in maxi packs from air liquide every three weeks or so
ill find out how much we get charged

 

[driftpin]

About $40 here for a 125 sq. ft. tank of Ar. (Miami FL)

 

[L.Cheapo]

Maybe that's the difference. My place will just fill the bottle for you while you wait. Doesn't take very long.

I do get the whole deal about expired tanks, but the certs are what, ten years? The $3 or whatever bottle fee they charge whenever they swap tanks probably adds up to the cost of a cert anyways.

They don't charge me a fee for exchange, just the price of the gas. Maybe because I bought the bottle from them initially? Who knows.