Welding gas tank exchange

[DirtyChemist]

How do exchanges work? Can I buy a tank private party and just bring it into a shop for an exchange? I’ve only bought CO2 and BrewChatter swapped those out no questions asked. I would think it’s the same for welding gases. I haven’t called any shops in town obviously because I don’t NEED a tank...yet. Just curious if I am given a tank that’s out of date if I should grab it as an exchange, or if shops must have ‘their’ tanks because ‘they’ certified them blah blah blah.

 

[zadar]

Just exchange. I own my tank and just exchange it for full one.

 

[DirtyChemist]

What size tank?
Where do you exchange your tank at and what does it cost?
Do you remember what you paid for your tank?

Just exchange. I own my tank and just exchange it for full one.

 

[Mr_Scott]

If you buy a private party tank, they will do an exchange but likely charge you to hydro test the tank ($35ish iirc). I usually use Sierra Welding Supply/Praxair off Glendale. Always a fairly easy process.

 

[Thedirtman]

I have a couple tanks, and use a couple different places. They swap with no issues. I think I have the second biggest size and its just over $100 to fill.

 

[Fernley818]

I have been using Matheson. And I have brought them expired tanks and they do not charge extra to have them re tested. And usually have a better price then Praxair.


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[zadar]

What size tank?
Where do you exchange your tank at and what does it cost?
Do you remember what you paid for your tank?

Not sure what size they call it. It is about 4' tall and 8" round. I bought it 20 years ago with welder from Craigslist.
Sierra welding if I remember, was like $50-60. It lasts me year or two since I don't weld that much.

 

[DirtyChemist]

I called Praxair and they said I could swap a CO2 tank for a weld gas tank. I was quoted from another shop a purchase price of $200+ for a tank 80 cu ft and above, and that wasn't full. I vastly underestimated the price of getting setup for MiG welding. Matheson didn't answer and I didn't leave a message just to get a price.

@zadar sounds like a 125 cu ft tank.

Amazon.com

Unsure how reliable this one is, but it's probably close to the price of buying it locally.

 

[zadar]

Just checked, say 154 cuft on it.

 

[DirtyChemist]

I swapped this out at Specialty Welding supply. The receipt says I got a 172 cu ft mixed gas tank. Had to buy a cap since mine didn’t have it. They just had to make sure it was marked Customer Owned.