Oxy/Ace Tank Size - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

PekingMan · 07-07-2004, 01:10 PM

I just received a complete, never used, military issue welding/cutting kit.

Now I just need to get the tanks. Any suggestions on what sizes to get and how much they will cost? I will mainly use a Miller 175 for the bulk of my welding and I have no intentions of getting a plasma cutter anytime soon. Nothing production, just home fabbing.

frankenfab · 07-07-2004, 05:08 PM

I'd get at least an 80 cu ft oxygen and a 40 cu ft acetylene. Sorry, I don't have a cost for you. I purchased mine a long time ago and don't know what they go for now.

OverThrottle · 07-07-2004, 07:43 PM

I recently swithed my fuel over to propane and have been very happy with it. There were a couple of threads on here about it. Takes a little longer to get the mixture set, but cuts very well for me. Plus I can run to any local gas station and swap out the 20 lb tank very easily. Though I haven't had to yet and I have burned throught several Oxygen tanks. I don't know the sizes but I started out wiht the little portable size Oxygeb tank (about 2 feet tall) and I would burn through that in o time at all and it was a pain in the ass to refill it all the time. Now I have the tank that is probably 12" diameter and 4-5 feet tall. MUCH longer usage time, but still easy enough to move around.

PekingMan · 07-08-2004, 06:36 AM

Does Acetylene or Oxygen have a shelf life? I am thinking the oxygen won't, but that the acetylene won't be as potent over time.

Johann · 07-09-2004, 06:50 AM

Not to be a smart ass but you want tanks as big as you can carry and afford. Even if you do this you will still run out in the middle of a project.

When I was talking to the guy at the welding supply place he said the only way not to run out during a project is to not use the torch

I started with a portable rig from a yard sale and have traded up tanks twice now so that I am not running to the store every Monday. They will usually let you move up in size for the difference in cost of the tanks+ the filling.

m016324 · 07-09-2004, 08:53 AM

there is also a guy on ebay that has some pretty good prices for tanks. like was said before get the biggest that you can afford because you'll always end up upgrading. Check local prices first but if not look at ebay it was about 100 dollars cheaper for me to go through ebay to get my tanks.

-ben

64Trvlr · 07-10-2004, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PekingMan

I just need to get the tanks.

I've got a set for sale. Guy was supposed to pick them up yesterday and never showed. S size Oxygen and #3 (I think) Acetelene both full and both are owner cylinders not rentals.

K2Orion · 07-11-2004, 04:32 PM

I've got the 4' tall oxy and a 3'tall acetylene. I actually " borrow" mine from work and take the empties back and swap em when I need new ones.
The last time I payed to swap out empties I payed about $100. That was for rentals but that was just to swap. That didn't include the rental charge when you first sign a contract. IMHO for most people doing hobby stuff where a torch gets used maybe one weekend a month renting tanks isn't cost effective, you are better off to take the hit upfront and buy a set of tanks. I believe it is in the $250 range here in STL area to buy em and then about $100 when you get em filled.

This might seem obvious but, if you buy a set of tanks from somebody other than a supplier, make sure they are owner tanks and include all appropriate paperwork. You'll have a hell of a time filling tanks without a rental agreement or proof of tank ownership. I ran into this with an argon/co2 bottle that came with my welder when I bought it. The seller said it was a rental and he didn't have the papers but that it was in his name. I had him sign a bill of sale but it turned it there was no record of him owning the tank. So now I have a bottle that nobody will fill and they won't give me any $$$ to return it, not even a deposit, since I don't have an account.

07-07-2004, 01:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
PekingMan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14055 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 64	Oxy/Ace Tank Size I just received a complete, never used, military issue welding/cutting kit. Now I just need to get the tanks. Any suggestions on what sizes to get and how much they will cost? I will mainly use a Miller 175 for the bulk of my welding and I have no intentions of getting a plasma cutter anytime soon. Nothing production, just home fabbing.

07-07-2004, 05:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
frankenfab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18989 Location: Utah Posts: 526	I'd get at least an 80 cu ft oxygen and a 40 cu ft acetylene. Sorry, I don't have a cost for you. I purchased mine a long time ago and don't know what they go for now. __________________ A flash of lightning illuminated the object, wretch, hideous, filthy daemon. A new species would bless me as its creator.

07-09-2004, 06:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
Johann Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4251 Location: NC USA Posts: 1,399	Not to be a smart ass but you want tanks as big as you can carry and afford. Even if you do this you will still run out in the middle of a project. When I was talking to the guy at the welding supply place he said the only way not to run out during a project is to not use the torch I started with a portable rig from a yard sale and have traded up tanks twice now so that I am not running to the store every Monday. They will usually let you move up in size for the difference in cost of the tanks+ the filling. __________________ Details removed for clarity

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07-07-2004, 07:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
OverThrottle Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Member # 19500 Location: Ohio Posts: 407	I recently swithed my fuel over to propane and have been very happy with it. There were a couple of threads on here about it. Takes a little longer to get the mixture set, but cuts very well for me. Plus I can run to any local gas station and swap out the 20 lb tank very easily. Though I haven't had to yet and I have burned throught several Oxygen tanks. I don't know the sizes but I started out wiht the little portable size Oxygeb tank (about 2 feet tall) and I would burn through that in o time at all and it was a pain in the ass to refill it all the time. Now I have the tank that is probably 12" diameter and 4-5 feet tall. MUCH longer usage time, but still easy enough to move around.

07-08-2004, 06:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
PekingMan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14055 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 64	Does Acetylene or Oxygen have a shelf life? I am thinking the oxygen won't, but that the acetylene won't be as potent over time.

07-09-2004, 08:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
m016324 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11256 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,779	there is also a guy on ebay that has some pretty good prices for tanks. like was said before get the biggest that you can afford because you'll always end up upgrading. Check local prices first but if not look at ebay it was about 100 dollars cheaper for me to go through ebay to get my tanks. -ben

07-11-2004, 04:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
K2Orion Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28084 Location: STL Posts: 344	I've got the 4' tall oxy and a 3'tall acetylene. I actually " borrow" mine from work and take the empties back and swap em when I need new ones. The last time I payed to swap out empties I payed about $100. That was for rentals but that was just to swap. That didn't include the rental charge when you first sign a contract. IMHO for most people doing hobby stuff where a torch gets used maybe one weekend a month renting tanks isn't cost effective, you are better off to take the hit upfront and buy a set of tanks. I believe it is in the $250 range here in STL area to buy em and then about $100 when you get em filled. This might seem obvious but, if you buy a set of tanks from somebody other than a supplier, make sure they are owner tanks and include all appropriate paperwork. You'll have a hell of a time filling tanks without a rental agreement or proof of tank ownership. I ran into this with an argon/co2 bottle that came with my welder when I bought it. The seller said it was a rental and he didn't have the papers but that it was in his name. I had him sign a bill of sale but it turned it there was no record of him owning the tank. So now I have a bottle that nobody will fill and they won't give me any $$$ to return it, not even a deposit, since I don't have an account.