On Tue, 24 May 2005 00:24:06 GMT, "DeepDiver"
wrote:
"Searcher1" wrote in message
news:xnske.3645$gl1.1597@trnddc09...
I recently got a large tank bout 4 ft tall. ( new at welding ) I got the
tank for free, actually I got 4 tanks. But I really need one filled with
argon for my mig. I went to the local refiller and was told that he nor
anyone else would refill my tank unless I provided proof of purchase. What
gives, Do I have to actually buy a new tank or is this guy pullin my chain?
I have a related question:
I purchased a gas cylinder from a welding supply shop in Texas many years
ago. (It was a used cylinder and my understanding was that, when depleted, I
was to take it back and exchange it for another full used cylinder.) Anyway,
the cylinder I bought was of fairly large capacity (me being a newbie MIG
welder at the time and not knowing how long a cylinder would last) and my
welding requirements have been small so it has lasted a long time. As a
result, the cylinder I bought is well past its hydrostatic test date.
Will I still be able to exchange it for another one? Or will I have to pay a
fee for the hydro test? It seems that I shouldn't have to, since that would
unfairly penalize the poor schmuck who happens to get a used cylinder right
before the hydro expires. But then again, I've long learned that logic and
practice do not always go hand-in-hand.
While on this subject, I have another related question:
Is it possible to exchange a large cylinder for a couple of smaller ones (of
course, paying the cost difference)? I'm sure this will depend on the
policies of the company, I'm just wondering if anyone has done it or heard
of it being done.
It depends entirely on the dealer. What some dealers are doing now
is charging an annual "maintenance" fee which, over a period of 10
years or so, more than offsets the cost of a hydro test. They may
waive the hydro charge for you but want to bill you a few bux annually
thereafter. I think the annual fee on my argon tank is about 7 bux.
They haven't caught up with me yet on the oxy tank.
They might give you credit on your expired tank on new smaller ones,
less the hydro charge. An advantage to smaller tanks is that
they're not t dated. I know 40's are that way, don't know about
80's. Disadvantage is that the cost to fill them isn't much less
than for larger tanks.
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