Where are you? Without knowing that, it's kinda hard to say where you should or shouldn't shop.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Where are you? Without knowing that, it's kinda hard to say where you should or shouldn't shop.

Cleveland.

Cross Airgas and Praxair off your list and look for ANY other supplier.

Lesson learned.

I have some tanks I can sell you. I dont have a MIG but have a bunch of tanks.

You're a little far from Cleveland But I appreciate the offer.

 

Cross Airgas and Praxair off your list and look for ANY other supplier.

 

I have to agree. Best bet, in my opinion, is to lease a tank, not buy one, unless you're burning huge quantities. I found a little mom and pop welding shop in a nearby small town that rents me a 100cf C25 tank for $85 a year. $15 to refill, NO deposit.

 

Is there a Roberts oxygen near you? You can buy tanks off of craigslist and swap them for filled ones + a gas costs. Their prices are much cheaper than airgas.

 

ShutterBug

. . . I think I screwed myself and should have kept the tank . . .

You are correct . . .

If you were seeking a SLR - you'd go to a Camera Shop.
When buying a Gas Tank - go to a Gas Tank Shop.

You have not identified your 'greater region' - you may have many
more options than currently known . . .

If you can - go with the 'minor weld shops' - your money-spent will
go further . . .


Opus

 

Tractor Supply will sell you a 125 cu ft bottle for about $300. To get this price you need to order the bottle online and have it shipped to the store. The bottle will be empty
While you are there picking up the bottle you can exchange it for a full one for the additional cost of the gas. If you buy the bottle in the store it will be $50 more, stupid but that's how they do it.

 

By me.. Crumpton Welding Supply..

290 for an Owned 125cf tank full.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Check with ALL local guys for and price and inquire about exchange policy. Many can be a real pain UNLESS a tank has been purchased from them. Prices will be crazy too.

 

If your a hobby guy just get a new one and make them refill YOUR tank. If you go pro or get suddenly busy ? Rent the damn things. I have both. My emergency CO2 and a small mix are mine. Filled rarely. My others are rent-a-units. Praxair.
Matter of fact the owned CO2 goes on today and I call to swap the rental.They only run up here once a week.

 

Airgas here sells 125's. I got my tanks at Auctions, then worked the "Owner Angle" on the refills. Recently bought a 125 by trading in an 80 which offset the price.

 

I have some tanks I can sell you. I dont have a MIG but have a bunch of tanks.

80 cf C25 full recent hydro $220 obo
80 cf Trimix 90% out of date hydro $220 obo
20?cf C25 empty out of date hydro $50

All are customer owned.

If your HOBART can do spray transfer, you should get Trimix otherwise C25. I could be wrong tho.

 

Here's some prices from my supplier in WISCONSIN . This is BUYING the tank FILLED .
Prices for Oxygen, 100% Argon, 75/25 Argon/CO2, Nitrogen Cylinders "Includes Fill"

20 cf. Size "R" - $90
40 cf. Size "F" - $135
80 cf. Size"Q" - $185
125 cf. Size "M" - $215
150 cf. Size "S" - $225

Acetylene Cylinders "Includes Fill"

MC Size - $85
B Size - $115
#3 - 75 cf. - $175
#4 - 135 cf. - $225

 

I always buy used tanks. Last 125 I got of 100% argon I only invested $120 And got a full 125 of argon, a full b tank of acetylene, and an extra empty 40cf tank of argon as part of the deal... there is more to buying used tanks than you think and u neeD to learn what to look out for such as buying big tanks with company names on neck ring...

 

And airgas here in Atlanta is the bees knees. I have a great relationship with them. They have hooked me up a few times. I once bought a 200 helium tank for 80 bucks used and they swapped it for a 200 of oxygen for me. They could have confiscated the tank being that it was their property but because I am a good customer, they hooked me up. They also have let me trade in small tanks for bigger tanks, etc. I would try them out first before making any decisions not to go there ever...

 

Thanks for all the advice and input.

I found a place close to home, O.E. Meyer, that quoted me a full tank of C25, with the tank for $189 and I would own the tank. Refill prices were extremely reasonable.

 

What size tank? After I bought my first tank at Sidney Lee for $196 For a 40 of argon, I decided to go a different route and now own over 20 tanks that I paid very little for...

 

What was their refill price? Just curious I'm sort of in the neighborhood. Thanks!

 

Something like $25

 

The other option is to go CO2. buy a used 20 lb CO2 tank and it holds somewhere in the neighborhood of 180 cu ft of gas. I frequently see them craig's list for $50-100

 

I bought 2 20lb c02 tanks for $40 here in Atlanta. Someone has two nice looking tanks on FB marketplace right now for $50 that still have c02 in them...

C02 is definitely the way to go for mig. The tank itself looks between the size of 40 and 80 cf argon tanks but it's really 175 cf in gas due to it being in liquid form...
Also it's much cheaper than argon and you can do a lot more with it as far as penetration goes. If you know how to correctly set your machine, you can weld without much spatter and even weld thin material.

 

Haven't started welding school yet (next week) so forgive the super novice question.

Why 100% CO2 and not C25?

I do notice from the manual for my Hobart 175, that CO2 uses about half the wire feed speed than the same material for C25.

 

Why 100% CO2 and not C25?

Price. CO2 is cheaper and will work for most anything except thin sheet/body work.

 

Using the skills I obtained with my advance degree in Googleology, some say that pure CO2 spatters more than C25. Most of what I will be working on, I will want to look as good as the weld strength. The price seems to be negligible for someone that is a hobbyist and won't be going through thousands of pounds of gas per year.

 

I do notice from the manual for my Hobart 175, that CO2 uses about half the wire feed speed than the same material for C25.

Because it's a reactive gas and imparts more heat to your weld. (MAG)

C25 is MIG process so you need more wire to impart higher amps in comparison. WFS=AMPS

Using the skills I obtained with my advance degree in Googleology, some say that pure CO2 spatters more than C25. Most of what I will be working on, I will want to look as good as the weld strength. The price seems to be negligible for someone that is a hobbyist and won't be going through thousands of pounds of gas per year.

You read it on the intergalacticweb written by keyboard jockeys with their Horrible Freight 90amp wire feeder and 10 minute welding career so it must be true. :laugh:

CO2 vs 75/25 you get about 6x the gas per dollar. Easier to move around a smaller & cheaper bottle (by as much as HALF). More places to get gas from and CHEAPER than being hamstrung having to use one of the stooge monopolies like Praxair & Airgas. And yes it even works for thin sheet metal, in some ways EVEN BETTER. You're learning, it's going to be a while before it's perfect. Why not get the most for your dollar and get more practice cheaper. Expands the capabilities of your lower powered welders. Burns through the sub par metal prep encountered while learning, tolerates rust/paint/oil/dirt better, etc. For learning or hobbyist I really haven't seen why anyone should be using anything other than CO2.

I've got to do some weld tests/pictures using smaller wire feeders on sheet gauge material and up to max thickness stock with both gases for everyone to guess which was used...:jester:

 

Go to your nearest local welding supply, I like Airgas myself their service is great.

 

Cylinder from cyberweld, filled and shipped. I always thought this would be a good option for someone who doesn't live close to a gas supplier.