going rate for argon and lease rates

[dirtyfarmer]

I originally bought an 80cu ft Argon tank filled for $143.27 (would cost $23.00 for refill). That small tank seemed to go fast, so when it was gone, I went back and they allowed the full original purchase price (minus the cost of the Argon $23.00) towards a 125cu ft, which they sell filled with Argon for $157.18. I don't know the refill price.
For my usage so far, the 125 size seems fine.

[Rugar]

I just upgraded to a 162cu ft tank from a 80cu ft tank my LWS charges $39.64 to fill the 162 cu ft tank I was paying $28.05 to fill the 80cu ft tank so I get twice the gas for an additional $11.59 and less trips to the LWS. The 162 cu ft tank runs $266.33. They call it (user owned) they just exchange the tank when it empty for the $39.64. If you are going to Tig weld you will want the bigger tank. If you have to start with a smaller tank check to see if you can upgrade down the road.

Thats price seems high. My 330 cost me $300 filled in SoCal.

[Tritium]

I picked up my first bottle of Argon at my Airgas Southwest supplier yesterday. Lease is $49 per year for the 250 cf bottle and they discounted the first fill to $13.70. Total price $70.27. I was quite pleased to say the least.

Thurmond

[welderdude]

At the local welding shop in central Illinois, it cost me 150 dollars to lease an 80 cubic foot argon tank for 10 years. it only cost about 25 dollars to swap an 100% argon tank or a 75/25 tank.

[hooda]

Just got into a mess with Toll welding here in Minnesota. Their rate is for $50.77 for a 154cf tank and $5.45/mo for demurrage. On top of that, they audited my dad's account and decided to sap him for back-rent on an argon tank that he paid $89.00/year rent for 12 years, and started sending him invoices on the darn thing after not billing him (he retired 3 years ago, and I made the mistake of renting a tank using his account, which alerted theit accounting department). Needless to say, they now will be billing him $7.47/month for a tank that by my estimates, he has already paid over $1000.00 for. I will need to do something to rectify the situation.

[Salty]

Thats price seems high. My 330 cost me $300 filled in SoCal.

I will have to see what other local folks are paying. It does seem high compaired to your price out there in So Cal.

[NRM]

I got my PP205 a little (May 2011) over a year ago and looked at argon bottles from the two suppliers on Oahu, Air Liquide and Air Gas. Over here you have to purchase your bottle and its swapped out when you need a refill at both places but Air Gas also rents bottles however the price goes up, that way. I decided to go with a 125cf bottle from Air Liquide as the tank was a little more but the refills were ~$20 cheaper. I think I paid around $500 for everything, the bottle ($390), fill ($80), and misc charges/tax ($30). I will see if I can find my receipt to verify the amounts.

Fast forward to today about a year later and I go to exchange (refill) my bottle and I had to pay $225 ...... I swear that last year I was told that the refill would be around $80. I know that prices have gone up but almost 300%. I asked the lady why it’s so much and she said that large tankers are shipped to Hawaii as argon is not produced here. This ruined my day to say the least, but on the bright side at least I can tig this weekend.

[Rambozo]

Fast forward to today about a year later and I go to exchange (refill) my bottle and I had to pay $225 ...... I swear that last year I was told that the refill would be around $80. I know that prices have gone up but almost 300%. I asked the lady why it’s so much and she said that large tankers are shipped to Hawaii as argon is not produced here. This ruined my day to say the least, but on the bright side at least I can tig this weekend.

WOW!!! I'll never complain about argon prices again.

[Rodsmachineshop]

NRM were do you live that is way expensive

[Brian Ski]

Ouch that is high... a 125 bottle here is about $200 maybe less if you get a deal. About $40-50 to fill depends on who you talk to.

I wonder if you can get a compressor and bottle your own Argon and fill bottles... You could make a lot of money.

[EchoSixMike]

New place I use, a argon fill for a 125cf is $15 exchange and 330cf is $20. Add $5 each for 75/25 MIG gas.

The place I used previously was $35 for the 125cf, and they gave you a nasty cylinder. Needless to say, I don't go there anymore. S/F....Ken M

[NRM]

I was born and raised in Hawaii so I am used to prices being higher but today was the first time I really didn't like living in Hawaii.

[Rodsmachineshop]

yes Hawaii is more pricy on some stuff . my ex wife Samoan is from Hawaii and lived there a long time its not bad if a local and know were to buy stuff

[Brian Ski]

New place I use, a argon fill for a 125cf is $15 exchange and 330cf is $20. Add $5 each for 75/25 MIG gas.

The place I used previously was $35 for the 125cf, and they gave you a nasty cylinder. Needless to say, I don't go there anymore. S/F....Ken M

What place do you go to???? Sounds like a really good deal.

[undercut]

Sorry for asking a not quite on topic question but how much does a full 80cf tank weigh? I don't have a truck and figuring out my options if I want to start to TIG. I'll also need to figure out if I'll get any hassles with putting a full tank in my compact SUV.

[NRM]

Weight of the tank will not be a problem, however putting a compressed gas cylinder in an enclosed space such as a suv is bad from a safety standpoint.

[undercut]

Weight of the tank will not be a problem, however putting a compressed gas cylinder in an enclosed space such as a suv is bad from a safety standpoint.

Kinda need to know the weight regardless because I may need to man handle the tank myself. If I go ahead and transport in my SUV, it would be in the "trunk" portion, tied down and I'd have the windows open.

[redbeard]

Kinda need to know the weight regardless because I may need to man handle the tank myself. If I go ahead and transport in my SUV, it would be in the "trunk" portion, tied down and I'd have the windows open.

According to this, http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/0/6dacb93224eb0bbb8525655b005e74cf/$FILE/cylinders.pdf the size Q (80cf) is 65 lbs.

[undercut]

According to this, http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/0/6dacb93224eb0bbb8525655b005e74cf/$FILE/cylinders.pdf the size Q (80cf) is 65 lbs.

Thanks, redbeard. A lot to learn. So size Q is 80cf. Tare weight is 65 lbs. I'll do some searches against size Q for approx full weight. Thanks!

[everlastsupport]

New place I use, a argon fill for a 125cf is $15 exchange and 330cf is $20. Add $5 each for 75/25 MIG gas.

The place I used previously was $35 for the 125cf, and they gave you a nasty cylinder. Needless to say, I don't go there anymore. S/F....Ken M

You are a luck man. I have the $75 and natsy tank crew here. No matter Prax or WSI. I have never tried airgas, but assume they are the same. Walk in there one time, sales guys were jerks, never went back.

I take it this is a family owned or private owned store?? For $15 I would keep 125 tanks around since easier to move around.