Acetylene Tank Re-certification and Fill

[Turbys_1700]

I'm in the middle of repairing a 10' Bush Hog and need to pull a stubborn stump jumper...
After several futile attempts to remove without heat I finally broke down and got out my dad's old Oxy-Acetylene tanks...
My dad many years ago used Oxy-Acetylene and still had the old tanks in the barn...
As a matter of fact he purchased them outright and then just had them filled by his local supplier when needed...
Keep in mind that this was in the 60's and 70's...
I found out that someone had stolen the hoses and gauges but I was lucky enough to find a nice set on Craigslist for $45...
Next up was the tanks...
I had no idea what I would be getting into with my LWS company when trying to them refilled...
I took the #3L Acetylene tank to my supplier and it needed re-certification and new valve...
They had to send it off to a company that does re-certification and tank maintenance...
Evidently they just fill the tanks...
I just got the bill and it looks like the total cost for re-certification, 100# fill, labor, delivery, new valve, etc...came to $128...
I don't know what you guys are paying for Acetylene and I know that prices vary due to region and supplier...
Seemed reasonable enough to me...
If anyone on here would like to chime in any input would be appreciated...

 

[jaotguy]

around here 120 would just cover the rent for 1 year ...

sounds like you got a decent deal.....

 

[jwmorris]

I just keep an eye on the date and make sure to use my old tanks first. The supply's around here just swap tanks with you, look at the date on the tank before you load it up. I have had them go back and get me a different tank (more time until inspection date) a time or two.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Thank you JW for the advise...
The sales attendant told me that they would let me keep my tanks and that they would fill them once inspection was completed...
I really did not know what their policy was...
My dad purchased his tanks a long time ago and his LWS just switched them out...
My supplier evidently lets you use your own tanks even though they prefer letting you rent them out...
I'll find out for sure tomorrow when I go to pick it up...

 

[Gary Fowler]

I had to have my O2 tanks (2) recertified but the acetylene was still good. My LWS charged me $50 each for pressure testing. I never got the same tanks back, just swap them out.

 

[Fifelaker]

I had to have a freebee o2 cylinder hydro tested earlier this year. It was around $40. They kept it and sent me on my way with one that was current.

 

[Big Barn]

I had to have a freebee o2 cylinder hydro tested earlier this year. It was around $40. They kept it and sent me on my way with one that was current.

Nice. You gotta like that! I've been paying $120(+ or-) annually for oxy-acety bottle rental for over 40 years. Apparently you can't be good looking AND smart.

Terry

 

[Todd NE WY]

We are lucky here the LWS has a "lifetime lease" It cost me about $500 15 years ago and I can just go in and swat out tanks whenever they are empty. I think of it as owning them without the recert issues. Paid once then good.

Todd

 

[Arc weld]

We are lucky here the LWS has a "lifetime lease" It cost me about $500 15 years ago and I can just go in and swat out tanks whenever they are empty. I think of it as owning them without the recert issues. Paid once then good.

Todd

Read the fine print of your lifetime lease. Airgas was up here that used to do that. The life time part was only good for 15 years. Even still Airgas got bought out by Praxair and Praxair wouldn't honor the lifetime part no matter when the customer bought the lifetime lease. You never get the same acetylene cylinder back unless you wait for it to be filled and come back a couple days or more later. Acetylene takes a long time to fill and is a lot more involved than filling high pressure cylinders. Most places don't fill acetylene, they send them to a large fill plant. $120 wasn't a bad deal.

 

[Todd NE WY]

Read the fine print of your lifetime lease. Airgas was up here that used to do that. The life time part was only good for 15 years. Even still Airgas got bought out by Praxair and Praxair wouldn't honor the lifetime part no matter when the customer bought the lifetime lease. You never get the same acetylene cylinder back unless you wait for it to be filled and come back a couple days or more later. Acetylene takes a long time to fill and is a lot more involved than filling high pressure cylinders. Most places don't fill acetylene, they send them to a large fill plant. $120 wasn't a bad deal.

I never said $120 was a bad deal. I was just relating what we have available here. I couldn't find my paperwork if I had to at this point. I figure I am way ahead even if next year they called and said your lifetime lease is up. $33 per year for lease on oxygen and acetylene bottles is pretty good. Also the company has changed ownership and no changes I know of to the leases.