oxy/acet tanks

[1930artdeco]

Hi All,

Since I was out looking for a second jack, I stopped in at the local tool store/pawn shop type place. they had some small Oxygen and acetylene tanks for sale. I mean they were in the 10 cu. 'feet'? range-at least that is what it said on the tank.

I was wondering if they are worth getting plus all of the gauges, tips etc. just for small jobs and practice. I would be learning to gas weld with them, braze and generally just good around until I can take a class and get a bigger setup and a mig welder. Are they safe and how do I tell, where do I get them tested etc., etc., ....

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Professur]

Are they in cert. and can you get them filled without a hassle?

 

[rsanter]

Do the have DOT on them?
If not they are Chinese cheapie tanks that many places will not fill or take in trade.

They empty fairly quick. Yes they are nice to have but for how much? The small ones don't go for all that much

Bob

 

[2x_Tom]

Are you talking about the tiny MC bottle set that Home Depot sells, it comes in a plastic case? It depends what you need them for. It will work exactly the same as a larger set of tanks, you'll just run out quickly especially if you're cutting you'll be emptying that oxygen bottle quickly. However if portability is extremely important to you then it may be worth it.

If you're going to be using them a lot you'll be filling them up often. I don't know how the gas suppliers work around you but here you get a big bottle filled for about twice what that little once costs and you're talking probably 10x the gas. It seems they make the same profit no matter what size tank they're filling, you're just paying the difference in gas cost.

I have a big set of tanks that stays in my garage and a b tank size set that I use if I have to take it somewhere. Come to think of it the big set is empty, I've been using my smaller set for the last couple years because I don't feel like dragging those big tanks to get filled.

Sure they're safe. Just make sure their are no holes or cracks in the hoses, everything's tight and not leaking and you have flashback aresters. I've had old acetylene hoses break on me before but those were probably 30 years old and should have been replaced long before it happened.

The tanks get tested at your gas supplier. Generally they don't fill you're tank, they'll exchange your tank for a full one with a similar test date. Make sure you check the date when you exchange tanks. Don't let them take yours that expires in 5 years and give you one expiring in 5 months. If you have a tank that is due or almost due for a test they'll just swap your tank like normal and charge you a test fee.

 

[Murphy4570]

I have a set of those pony bottles, they don't last very long. Good for small stuff. The real usefulness in them is their portability. I bought the port a torch set made by Lincoln from Home Depot a few years ago, cost $300. Well worth the price for the added flexibility it gave me for repair jobs that weren't feasible to do in my own garage.

Used tanks you have to be careful of, as some gas supply companies are nitpicky as to what they will and will not fill or exchange. Check if the tanks have a company sticker on them (Airgas, Valley National, etc). Also see when they were last tested, it'll be stamped onto the side of the tank.

Portable torch sets are better off buying new, IMO. For the cost and hassle of exchanging tanks, repairing used torch, and getting new torch consumables and hose, you'll be into the used set for more than you think all said and done.

 

[zkling]

Is it a port a torch set? You aren't giving much info to go on. Buying used gas equiptment can be pretty dicey. Unless it was in good condition, name brand and rather cheap I'd pass and just go new. Flamable gas and used equiptment just doesn't sit well with me.

A few weeks ago I saw a nasty O/A setup without tanks for $20, covered in grease and grime with cracked hoses. Some guy grabbed it in a hurry. I pitty the fool.

If it is just tanks, you need to call the weld shop that has their sticker or embossing on the bottle and see what their policy is for buying their tanks 2nd hand. You could get a deal or you could get a boat anchor. At worst they could confiscate them.

 

[2x_Tom]

I had no problem filling a 2nd hand set of bottles I picked up from my neighbor. They had no company tag on them. The exchange ones I got for them do have a sticker with the name of the gas supplier saying "property of". I wouldn't think twice about ripping that sticker off and God help them if they ever tried to confiscate my bottles, lol.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I don't really care for the burglar bottles myself, empty very quickly, plus it usually costs the same to fill them as it does for larger bottles. Only good point is portability.

The exchange ones I got for them do have a sticker with the name of the gas supplier saying "property of". I wouldn't think twice about ripping that sticker off and God help them if they ever tried to confiscate my bottles, lol.

The only time the company owned bottles come into play is for leased tanks (which are often sold to unwitting buyers secondhand), then you run into where the companies will refuse to fill them unless you have a current lease on them.

It's damned hard to get anything over 125cf filled/exchanged around here, as that's the largest that most gas suppliers will sell a tank for in this area, larger than that and you have to lease unless you are in tight with an independent guy.

 

[1930artdeco]

Thanks for the info guys. This place is sells a lot of tools and most of it is **** Chinese stuff. But people bring in other goodies so you can find some good American made stuff as well. All of the equipment I would have to buy piece meal so I may just buy a new portable outfit. I don't do any large stuff and I looking at keeping the space requirements to a min. right now. That and I am a beginner so all of my stuff would be practice anyhow.

Mike

 

[wild cowboy]

if you don't do a lot of cutting or gas welding, the burglar bottles are great!

 

[Banjorear]

if you don't do a lot of cutting or gas welding, the burglar bottles are great!

This. I don't use them a lot, but when I need them they are a God send. I just keep spare tanks to fill if I run out.