oxy acetylene refills or new?

[lipancreek]

I use a cutting torch like twice a year. Several years ago I got an OLD oxy acetylene rig with torches. The gas has now finally run out. I was going to try to get refills, but local lady running tire place that does welding told me they won't refill my bottles because I have no "proof of ownership" of the bottles. Not to mention who knows how old they are. Is it possible to get refills of apx. 20 year old bottles and if not then what do I do with these? Is there a market for them?

If I want to get new bottles for very occasional use, how do you "prove" you own the new ones? Like the Tractor Supply kits, for example... Our TSC doesn't trade them in when they go out, so I guess I'd be trying to get them filled from same local people who say you have to have proof of ownership. Ideas for lowest cost, simple ownership of bottles? Thanks for any advice!

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

From what I've been told, our local Home Depot swaps out tanks without looking at them - they just go to Praxair and get inspected, stamped, put back out.
(it's not real uncommon to find near 100 year old tanks btw)

You get Praxair labeled tanks though. But if you are super low usage, that wouldn't matter.

Oh, and friends of mine have just made fake receipts to "prove" they own their tanks that they bought used - not saying I recommend it, but people do it.

 

[lilranch2001]

Tanks need a dated hydro test stamped into the neck

 

[Turbys_1700]

I had an old acetylene tank that needed refilling. My father had purchased it 30 plus years ago. Like you I only need to use my torches a few times a year. I took the tank to my local welding supply supplier. I had to pay a fee to get the tank certified. They had to be sent off. Waited a couple weeks and then they gave me a new tank that was certified. No proof of ownership was needed.

My wait was required because they did not have any tanks available for me to swap out. They had lots of oxygen tanks but no acetylene available. I can't remember the cost but I'm thinking it was around $120 total. This included tank certification and 100# of acetylene.

 

[Ken45101]

It varies from one ou tfit to another if they want proof of ownership. local TSC just takes your word for it. I had no problem swapping out an out of date 100# propane tank.

If all you are using the rig for is cutting and/or heating, you might think about going to propane instead of acetylene. It's a lot cheaper and you can just use a 20# BBQ grill tank. You should get different cutting tips (GPN instead of GPA) and it's best to replace the hose with one rated for propane.,

 

[Cord]

I had an old acetylene tank that needed refilling. My father had purchased it 30 plus years ago. Like you I only need to use my torches a few times a year. I took the tank to my local welding supply supplier. I had to pay a fee to get the tank certified. They had to be sent off. Waited a couple weeks and then they gave me a new tank that was certified. No proof of ownership was needed.

My wait was required because they did not have any tanks available for me to swap out. They had lots of oxygen tanks but no acetylene available. I can't remember the cost but I'm thinking it was around $120 total. This included tank certification and 100# of acetylene.

I own my own tanks and that's the procedure I need to follow. My local supply store also had me sign an agreement that will speed the process the next time I bring them in. The problem with exchanging tanks is the name stamped on the neck. If it says somebody else's name, then you now own a stolen tank. If you truly own the cylinders (not that you were sold stolen ones) make sure you get your own cylinder back!!!

 

[yomax4]

I still think it's easier to have a lifetime lease and pay $35 every 5 years for Hydrotest and paint. No hassle with papers, resale or loss due to arc burn or rust. Life lease is less than the cost of the tanks ( at least for me ) and 35 bucks every 5 years divided out is chicken feed. No waiting 2 weeks for your tanks to come back and if they need hydro, It's 35 bucks anyway. I have life lease tanks and I own a bunch. I would sell all of my customer owned tanks if I had a buyer. 20cf O2 and Inert - 300 cf. Do the math.

 

[STx]

The welding shops around here will refill a bottle as long as it isn't stamped with someone's name as a lease bottle. When I have a bottle out of test, they'll make an exchange for a small fee and send me on my way with a full bottle and send my bottle off to be tested. This way I'm not without gas and they're not filling an out of test bottle.

I hardly ever buy oxy or acetylene but I fill a couple of 125CF bottles of C25 a month from Sept - Mar and then about every 2 - 3 months from Apr - Aug, plus about 5 or 6 forklift bottle refills a year, so they know me there which might get me better treatment than the guy that walks in off the street.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Around here the local welding outlets do not fill on premise. All tanks are on an exchange basis (private owned and lease) and refilled at their main plant. If you buy a new tank it gets exchanged right there and there goes your new tank. I have never had a hassle on my private owned as they do not have a Gas supplier's name (Linde, Porox, Praxair, & etc). All the smaller tanks (less than 32" high) are private owned these days so nobody cares about any names. Larger tanks they check the brand and serial # for leased tanks. Some of the postings are based on this info: Cylinder Ownership | Welding & Gases Today

Ron

 

[EddieWalker]

The day I bought my bottles brand new, they disappeared when I exchanged them for full ones. When I'm empty, I bring in the bottles, they take the bottles to the back and come out with full ones. I have no idea how old they are, or if they are stamped or tested or who owns them. Nobody ever asks me any questions, they just ask if I'm paying cash or do I have an account. I pay with my debit card.

Is there a Matheson Welding Supply near you? I would just walk in and tell them you need to exchange your empty bottles for new ones and not volunteer anything more then that.

https://www.mathesongas.com/Welding/index.aspx

Eddie