What Size Argon Tank Do I Have

Here is a quick chart to give an idea of the actual size of the bottles.

Bigger is ordinarily better as the refill price is lower, however the weight has to exist considered for your infinite and vehicle. Unless you have a big store and have the LWS take care of your tanks.

Hither are the sizes of high pressure gas cylinders listed on the back of my LWS's catalog:

Code:

Proper name  Cubic feet  Width Height  Weight  21     21 cf      5"    17"    15 lbs  46     46 cf      7"    24"    25 lbs  lxxx     92 cf      7"    33"    47 lbs 125    125 cf      7"    43"    61 lbs 150    155 cf      vii.5"  46"    lxx lbs 250    251 cf      8.5"  51"   115 lbs 330    336 cf      9"    55"   135 lbs

I just swapped my 80cf argon tank for a 150cf, and am actually looking forward to having a lower cost of argon equally a upshot. The 80cf was going empty too fast; sure they say "six hours of arc fourth dimension" or whatever, but I call back that doesn't include waiting for pre and post flow and if you do lots of tack welds or smaller stitch type welds or short bead lengths, I think the actual amount one will get is a lot less. I was likewise feeling similar I could hands handle a larger bottle. (Maybe this metal fab piece of work has made me stronger? :o ) They are giving me a nice deal on 150cf refills, too: 10% more refill cost for almost double the gas. $xl (before taxation and hazmat marking-ups) for the fourscore vs. $45 for the 150cf.

I checked the pressure level and it seems my LWS is filling the 150 the same pressure every bit the 80. Information technology seems like all bottles I buy from them are always filled to 1800 psi. (kind of a lower than expected corporeality I recollect... but information technology makes having a large physically sized canteen all the more important!)

The toll to upgrade the size of the canteen itself (about $60) I figure volition be paid off and so saving coin afterward merely 2 bottle refills. And I volition save time non having to run to the LWS so oft.

I handled the 125cf and the 150cf cylinders to get a experience for them. The LWS said some 125cf's were rentals and some customer endemic swaps, while the 150's were all client owned. They said the 150cfs were very common customer endemic size, and will never be inadvertently be exchanged for a rental cylinder anywhere in the expanse. I besides liked the look of the larger cylinder, it seemed "right" to me for my needs. I did await at the larger cylinders just they seem to get pretty big.

Does anyone know a good identify to buy tanks other than LWS. or what is a expert price is for the differn sizes. Thanks.

National Cylinder used to take a site. Non certain if they nevertheless practise.

Sometimes you'll run into them on craigslist.com with a welder. And quondam the price of the bundle, you tin buy it all, go along the tank and re-sell the welder. I accept a couple owner 150'southward I paid $100 for with argon in them. Would dearest to trade them for a 250 or 330 though.

Make certain the ring on the top of the bottle has no name on information technology or you lot will be locked into one supplier. Also check the date on it or they volition become you on the first fill. As well make certain the bottom has not rust on information technology.

What size bottle would y'all recommend for someone who does not weld real frequently? As of now I probably wouldn't be using information technology more than a few times per week. If the plans I have go right and then I would be welding more often and at first I will probably be using it a expert bit to get projects done that I have been adding up while I wait for the welder. I was thinking of getting a 150 or 250 tank.

I got the 150 CF bottle and burned through it in nearly 2 months. I must say I was doing lots of experimenting though. I recall in one case I settle down to actual use rather than "do/learning" a 150 will suit nicely for the occasional repair/project.

Jason,

150 is the smallest I would go with to acquire, stay with that until you demand to get bigger. Smaller will cost more and run out faster.

Merely for the Aussie welders…

When considering what visitor to become with for your gas, you should cheque the actual cylinder sizes equally well every bit cost (for rental and fill).

I discovered that there is a big deviation in "E" sized cylinders.

BOC – E (or E2) sized pure argon…
Bodily capacity four.i cu k
Refill price changes all the fourth dimension simply around $120

Supagas – E sized pure argon…
Actual chapters four.viii cu m (17% more than the equivalent BOC cylinder)
Refill $104 (with free delivery)
Rental $14 per month

Here's a photo of the two "E" sized cylinders next (BOC on the left)…

Hello,

Y'all know, they say for people who dont weld often to go the smaller tanks. My advice is to go with the larger tank if you got the room. As long as its airtight the gas isnt going anywhere. Its rediculous the price differences. Its well-nigh $20 more for the 200 cubic of argon to become filled over the xl cubic. So you go around 500% more than gas for about 50% more than in cost. I wouldnt fifty-fifty bother with a smaller tank on tig. Leave it for the portable mig welders. Just my two cents on how I waisted money on smaller tanks.

I based my tank size on what was available for a client owned tank in my area. I chosen around and establish out the largest client owned tank any store volition refill is a 150cf. That was at my local airgas (the absolute worst place to do business btw) refill prices are reasonable and the tank is quite manageable past myself. wish I could of gotten a larger tank though. the welder hither at piece of work was showing me his gas lens that he made (and now sells) for welding up anything at the aerospace shop I work at. The gas lens is over an inch in diameter only very brusk with the tungsten protruding nigh 1.5"! he had the gas flow cranked up well into the xx+ range but information technology worked amazingly well. I've besides seen the guy at weldingtipsandtricks.com use this setup. I couldn't go along a 150cf tank full for a week running as much argon through the tip every bit they are!

Your other choice is to get a couple of 125 or 150 cft tanks. Yeah, the cost of the gas is a little more than to fill both, but........

You lot don't pay the rental fees for the tank. Plus, hauling around those large tanks is a PITA and I hate having the government tracking me like they do with the big tanks.

I got a couple of total 125cft argon tanks for $100 each off of Craigslist. They were new last twelvemonth and were good for the ten year inspection. The guy who was selling them got them from a fabrication company that went belly up and was selling them for a skillful price. I'g probably going to selection up a few more every bit they are a pretty expert deal.

Quote Originally Posted by Steve View Post

Plus, hauling around those large tanks is a PITA and I detest having the government tracking me like they do with the big tanks.

One time yous learn to roll them and use your foot (or get a dolly, best option) the larger tanks are not that bad and save money. How does the government track you on the larger tanks. Never heard about this. Prax and WSI do zip simply charge me and off I go.

04:50 PM

This is second post about government tracking...Have we got a conspiracy theorist in our midst?lol
There's no tracking done on those tanks. I could see acetylene perhaps, merely definitely not argon, an inert gas. They can even "loose" a sure amount of cylinders yearly to good customers. I back my truck up to the dock tell them which gas I want pay greenbacks or charge information technology, and drive off. Not much newspaper work. No serial numbers recorded or underground homing devices attached. I could drive a tank to Washington state, and no 1 would care or have a fleck of business concern (as long as it was properly carried).

Incidentally, I compared the price of filling your own tank versus the tank fee per year, and they accuse a premium to make full client owned tanks and if you use them much at all it comes out in the wash.'

Even the DOT would probably not bother you with no commercial info on your truck unless they saw a missing safety cap on a canteen sticking up. With the exception of acetylene, you can lay them all down in the back of the trucks and no one volition know.

But I always bulldoze in, pay and go. Sign or show nix to the salesman.

There is no tracking here and I have fifty-fifty taken a bottle in my machine in one case with no questions asked. Folded the back seats down and slid the bottle in from the body. They had no bug with it as long every bit I loaded it myself and did non need their assistance.

Quote Originally Posted by jakeru View Post

Here are the sizes of high pressure gas cylinders listed on the back of my LWS's catalog:

Code:

Name  Cubic feet  Width Height  Weight  21     21 cf      5"    17"    15 lbs  46     46 cf      seven"    24"    25 lbs  fourscore     92 cf      7"    33"    47 lbs 125    125 cf      7"    43"    61 lbs 150    155 cf      7.5"  46"    70 lbs 250    251 cf      8.v"  51"   115 lbs 330    336 cf      nine"    55"   135 lbs

I just swapped my 80cf argon tank for a 150cf, and am actually looking forward to having a lower cost of argon equally a consequence. The 80cf was going empty too fast; sure they say "half-dozen hours of arc time" or whatever, but I think that doesn't include waiting for pre and postal service menses and if y'all do lots of tack welds or smaller stitch blazon welds or short bead lengths, I recollect the actual amount one volition get is a lot less. I was as well feeling like I could easily handle a larger bottle. (Maybe this metal fab piece of work has made me stronger? :o ) They are giving me a squeamish bargain on 150cf refills, too: 10% more than refill cost for nearly double the gas. $40 (before tax and hazmat marking-ups) for the 80 vs. $45 for the 150cf.

I checked the pressure and information technology seems my LWS is filling the 150 the aforementioned force per unit area as the fourscore. It seems like all bottles I buy from them are always filled to 1800 psi. (kind of a lower than expected amount I think... but it makes having a large physically sized canteen all the more of import!)

The cost to upgrade the size of the bottle itself (about $60) I figure volition be paid off and so saving coin afterwards simply ii bottle refills. And I will salve fourth dimension not having to run to the LWS and so often.

I handled the 125cf and the 150cf cylinders to become a feel for them. The LWS said some 125cf'due south were rentals and some customer owned swaps, while the 150's were all customer endemic. They said the 150cfs were very common customer owned size, and volition never be inadvertently exist exchanged for a rental cylinder anywhere in the area. I as well liked the look of the larger cylinder, information technology seemed "right" to me for my needs. I did wait at the larger cylinders but they seem to become pretty big.

Just checked 1 of my bottles. They are filled to 2200psi. Look at the head stamp on the canteen and see if you lot accept a "+" later the hydrostatic test engagement. If so, y'all are good for a +10% overfill.

I started out with an 80 for my mig, only presently traded for a 150. I got tired of going dorsum and fourth every calendar week. I own my argon bottle for my tig, but I plan to get another bottle asap, and would similar to have some other 125 or 150 for my tig. The smaller bottles will cost you some large $$$$ if you weld regularly. I own my oxygen and acetylene, they are fourscore's simply I rarely use my torches. I have two sets of 20's for my Victor torch / tote and they are outrageous to fill, just at the aforementioned time they are then dadgum handy to carry for making a small cut. I need to sell the gear up, but the handy factor keeps me from getting rid of the set.

The guy at the LWS told me something that was pretty smart. Gas bottles always become up in value, and they never go down. Owning your bottles is a good investment. I take ane rental and when it'due south up I will buy a bottle instead of leasing.

Sean,

I notwithstanding have a uniweld O/A MC gear up for the same reason, can simply throw information technology in the trucks and go.

To salve money, take them to an HVAC/AV supplier (similar Johnston) to commutation them. It is close to l% less here in my area. I get them done for $15 each compared to $29 at Prax..