Cylinder exchange..why have to pay for new cylinder?

[eddie]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200319137_200319137

Northern's add for his "brand new" cylinder, "never been filled" I guess is accurate. But I can't find anyone here that refills the cylinder.

At TriGas you pay for a new cylinder but will never see it again because you just exchange yours for another that's already filled.

I've griped about this before...'bout time for another ...I just don't understand why you have to pay for a new cylinder.

Does anyone know of a place that refills here in the DFW Metroplex?

[crawler]

That is a regular 125CF cylinder that Northern tools sells. I'd pass on their $249 for an empty cylinder price.

Most places will exchange your cylinder. Some places will fill them, but you have to wait a few days.

I wouldn't get too attached to a cylinder since most likely you'll have to exchange it later.

I would try Home Depot. You can buy a 150CF customer owned cylinder filled for $229 + tax.
Refills cost $29, much cheaper than any welding store.

Here are locations in Texas.

http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/AllContent/A91306EA78ED795785256F820054B78D?OpenDocument

[usmcpop]

Northern Tool and Tractor Supply both sell the Thoroughbred cylinders and exchange them.

[Zrexxer]

At TriGas you pay for a new cylinder but will never see it again because you just exchange yours for another that's already filled.

Eddie, that's just the way it's done. You purchase a cylinder of gas... not necessarily THAT cylinder of gas.

[84ZMike]

You are not buying a particular cylinder....you are paying for the service rights to a cylinder....when you empty "one" you swap it for "one" cylinder you have service rights to.....this is why some suppliers wont swap for tanks you didn't by or lease from them....

[usmcpop]

But, but, but I gave my tank such a nice pearlescent pink paint job!

[whateg0]

And it's just as well that you don't get the same tank back when you swap. If you keep the tank, you'll have to pay for re-certs. If you swap, you'll always get a good tank.

Dave

[weldgault]

Look at the text date, when you get the cyl., because if you bring it back and its out of test date, they will charge for a new test. 10 Years. John

[Bob Warner]

I am on the other side of the metroplex from you but I have no problem exchanging cylinders.

I suggest you go to or call several welding supply companies and ask if they will exchange Customer Owned tanks. Keep looking until you find one. Then make them add to the receipt that it is customer owned and make them do it every time you exchange it.

I personally use Garland Welding Supply (Rockwall branch).

[crawler]

I am on the other side of the metroplex from you but I have no problem exchanging cylinders.

I suggest you go to or call several welding supply companies and ask if they will exchange Customer Owned tanks. Keep looking until you find one. Then make them add to the receipt that it is customer owned and make them do it every time you exchange it.

I personally use Garland Welding Supply (Rockwall branch).

I get my gas from Garland Welding Supply (Garland branch). They are great people to work with and have good prices on gas.

https://www.garlandweldingsupply.com

[crawler]

Look at the text date, when you get the cyl., because if you bring it back and its out of test date, they will charge for a new test. 10 Years. John

IMHO, not a big deal for me. Cost is $22 for have a cylinder re-certified. All cylinders in Dallas are sent to Cylinder Services to get re-certified. Garland Welding Supply charges me $22 to re-certify a cylinder.

My old LWS charged $55 for a re-cert fee. Talk about a rip off.

[eddie]

I am on the other side of the metroplex from you but I have no problem exchanging cylinders.

I suggest you go to or call several welding supply companies and ask if they will exchange Customer Owned tanks. Keep looking until you find one. Then make them add to the receipt that it is customer owned and make them do it every time you exchange it.

I personally use Garland Welding Supply (Rockwall branch).

Bob..this makes sense to me...if I can find someone close-by who re-fills...I can wait the few days it would take to re-fill...not a big user, in fact this would be my first experience with gas. I just wanted to see how welding works with gas...may not even continue with it and I wanted to just get say a 40cuft tank.

Ed

[HOTROD01]

If you try the gas you will like it and will not want to go back to flux core unless you have no other choice. I used flux core for about three months when I first got my mig then got the gas kit and have only used flux core on rare ocassion when I ran out of gas. you will lay down a much more satisfying weld with gas.

[Steve Crum]

My biggest headache right now is that the construction company that I buy my gases from who is a dealer for Haun, has their office girl who handles the gases on reduced hours. I get an 8 hour a week window to get in contact with her. The hours she works vary and I work mid shifts and 2nd shift. I tried to get O2 for 3 weeks before I connected up this morning. I'm seriously looking at buying an O2 cylinder and argon cylinder from TSC so I can get the gases I need when I need them. I'm currently paying $50 per bottle per year in leases, so I would have a 5 year payback if the bottles are $250 a pop. But I would have gases available whenever TSC is open.
Here's the pi$$er, the O2 bottle I picked up this morning has a 1st test date of 4-53. You don't suppose that old girl has made some good money for somebody in the past 55 years?

[eddie]

If you try the gas you will like it and will not want to go back to flux core unless you have no other choice. I used flux core for about three months when I first got my mig then got the gas kit and have only used flux core on rare ocassion when I ran out of gas. you will lay down a much more satisfying weld with gas.

That's what I'm hoping for...a little less spatter and less clean-up...and from what I can tell from videos, the GMAW puddle appears to be less erratic and easier to control than the FCAW.

Guess I'll just give in, play the game and pay whatever I need to get started with gas.