Tank swap, any advice

[woodlandfarms]

So Sometime in January I am going to be taking in my Acet tank to be refilled. I have been mulling this over and I am going to switch to Propane. Hoses are good to go, one of 2 tips has been purchased.

What I want to do is swap the Acet out for an Argon tank so I can start practicing aluminum.

I am asking this of you experienced welders to make sure that if I can, I ask in the right manner. Can't tell you how many times I have gone to a specific shop for a pro item and have not received the service I need due to my lack of verbage.

 

[jaotguy]

act to prop is a no brainer .... just the cutting / heating tips are diff ...

to convert the larger welding tips to prop , run a drill bit about 2 sizes larger than the original orifice size and about 3/16 deep ... helps contain/control the wider flame ...

the flame itself is different than the act one ( less definition between the cones )

 

[dieselbeef]

you cant fill the acet with propane..youll need a new tank
exchange it for the argon maybe..idk the price diff but i feel somewhere in there you will be buying a tank. either the propane or the argon and possibly swapping the other

you asked right..tell em what you have..and what you want. tanks come in all diff sizes depending on wahts in them also will be a factor

 

[woodlandfarms]

Sorry that my question was not clear. It seemed clear when I woke up this morning...

I would like to no longer own my Acet tank. I would like to swap it for an Argon. I have 2 - 5 Gal propanes I will use for the torch.

Thanks for the note on the Propane. It is my Rosebud I need to still make propane ready.

I was really getting at wether someone has ever walked in and said I don't want acet any more, I want Argon (or XXX) and how the tank distributor responded. Is it a common thing? Is there additional charges (Like buying a whole new tank and no credit for the Acet tank?)

 

[brain55]

I've never had a problem trading up and down in size or type of gas with my welding suppliers. Of course I have relationships with them, and not a random guy walking in off the street. Charges and credits apply appropriately.

Brian

 

[timster2]

I have walked into a local welding supply and traded up to larger tanks no problem. I was given credit for the tanks I was returning and charged for the difference in price to the new tanks. I traded small B act tanks for a Co2, don't remember what I paid but was no problem.

One old O2 tank I turned in was so old I was charged to get it tested.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

If you are leasing...a tank is a tank is a tank....at least around here. As long as you are leasing a tank, they could care less as long as you are buying it refilled back from them. A hint on the propane...get ready to use a lot more oxygen. It' still probably cheaper than Acetylene when factored in, but the gauges will fall fast.

 

[dstig1]

If you are leasing...a tank is a tank is a tank....at least around here. As long as you are leasing a tank, they could care less as long as you are buying it refilled back from them. A hint on the propane...get ready to use a lot more oxygen. It' still probably cheaper than Acetylene when factored in, but the gauges will fall fast.

Second that! I go through 120cf tanks of O2 like crazy and my 20 lb propane tank has not dropped noticeably. During my big snow plow build project I went through I think 3 tanks of O2 and then moved the propane tank to the grill and used it for a couple more months grilling... When/if it makes sense I will upgrade my o2 tank to 330 cf to lower the cost a bit and not run out so fast.

 

[BukitCase]

Here's a possibly helpful link

Alternative Fuels | Welding & Gases Today

In my case, since I got the plasma cutter it didn't seem worth it to change over (hoses, tips, regulator, bigger oxy tank...

If your hoses are pretty new, they should be Grade T so that wouldn't be a problem.

However, (link - "Common Misconceptions" if you ever wanna "go retro" and gas WELD, you CAN'T. (Not sure about torch brazing tho)

HTH... Steve

 

[paulharvey]

This saves me from starting a thread. I have 2 large O2 tanks (200 and 300?) And just got a tig torch, so I need argon and an argon/co2 flow meter. My tanks are partially full and 20 years past hydro though. I also have 2 40 cf acetylene tanks. Anyone hazard a guess what a hydro and 200 cf of argon will cost; $50? $100? $200? Or would I be cheaper to do 40 cf acetylene swap for 40 cf argon and avoid hydro

 

[timster2]

When I returned an old large O2 tank, that was long over due for recert, for an Argon tank I was charged $20 for testing. The exchange, large tank for large tank, was no charge. I guess it depends on the LWS.

 

[dragoneggs]

I purchased my 80cuft CO2/Argon tank used from my LWS and it is simply swapped out with another for the cost of the gas. Seemed like the thing to do vs. buying a new tank or leasing. I think I like that arrangement. I assume this is typical?

 

[Big Barn]

I purchased my 80cuft CO2/Argon tank used from my LWS and it is simply swapped out with another for the cost of the gas. Seemed like the thing to do vs. buying a new tank or leasing. I think I like that arrangement. I assume this is typical?

I've done the same. 2x80cf mig mix and 2x80cf argon. Around here that's the largest you can have without leasing. I think the argon was almost $300 for the tank and fill.

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

I've done the same. 2x80cf mig mix and 2x80cf argon. Around here that's the largest you can have without leasing. I think the argon was almost $300 for the tank and fill.

Terry

That seems high... unless Argon is expensive. Or maybe its a Canadian thing? I will have to look it up, but I think I paid around $200 for tank and fill of 75/25.

 

[Big Barn]

That seems high... unless Argon is expensive. Or maybe its a Canadian thing? I will have to look it up, but I think I paid around $200 for tank and fill of 75/25.

For mig I use a trimix (with helium) but not certain what I pay for it. I think 65cf argon is around $30 and 80cf $40.

Terry