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

[Cajun1948]

Bottle Exchange

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

Here in this third world country of Central Louisiana out Tractor supply said they didn't exchange bottles even though I told them I saw it in the catalog

[whateg0]

This is kind of an old thread, but just to add to what geezer said, FC will also help you out if you have a smallish welder and need to stick something heavier together. It's no replacement for a bigger welder, but it does give you a little more heat. They each have their place.

Dave

[3 weelin geezer]

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.

The reason I go back to flux core is when its windy, I can't weld with gas outside. Flux core, though messy, allows me to finish.

[eddie]

Well, I found a place on Northside Fort Worth...got 80cf of 75/25 for $175 (first full bottle) ...wasn't a new cylinder but they didn't claim that it was so I'm OK with it..receipt says I "own" it..refills will be $25...I guess part of this upfront cost is the business' cost of making sure subusequent bottles are safe, etc.


Now I need to post some questions about first time gas use.

[slimpickens]

You might ask at TSC about the thoroughbred cylinders they will take in private bottles if you sign the release form and at one time they had a 20$ one time tranfer fee plus a ert fee of like 25$ if yours was out of date. But then you can trade with them anytime.. The places i have local dont carry alot of blends though and i like 100% argon for my tig and they dont have it but mig gas mix is always in stock.

[eddie]

Thanks, Bob...I may take you up on your invite one of these days when I make one of my King Metal runs.

Eddie

[Bob Warner]

Eddie,

I do not buy gas often as I had a 250 cubic ft. tank and that is a pretty big tank. I just exchanged the tank out because the old one leaked and I lost over half the gas. They decided it was a bad valve and they replaced it with a full one for free and the new one is a NEW one, I am the first to get it. They did not have a 250 so they gave me a 330. The guy that traded it out for me said the gas went up and it is currently $55 to trade out the 330 tank. Not bad for that much gas and I am not a production shop. This tank will probably last me a year as long as the son remembers to turn it off when he uses it.

Doesn't anyone you know have a MIG you can try? If not, send me an email and you can come and try mine. Some generous people helped me get this welder and the least I can do is use it to help others in some way.

Let me know if I can help.

Bob

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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

[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.

[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

[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).

[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