Just a question about Argon from the LWS.....?

[CGCINC]

Ok... I just traded my bottle of Argon for another one.... it's a 300cf
My first bottle was charged to 1600psi and it was fall so a little warmer
This second bottle is charged to 2400psi and it was in my truck out in 30 degree weather all night.

Did I get ripped off on the first bottle?
What do they normally fill these to?

[CGCINC]

Also, I think I have a lifetime lease through this company (Airgas)
I'm wanting to get my bottles through another company that is closer to me. Can I just turn in my bottle when its empty and thats, that, or do they charge you to leave like the phone companys do.....?

[Gwaltnak]

Yes, but probably not purposefully. The bottles are usually filled twice. Because of the size of the bottle the first full is called a Hot fill... The compression of gas inside the bottle makes the gas get hot and reads higher. The bottle is let cool, then topped off. They may have gotten busy and forgot to top it off.

[CGCINC]

Yes, but probably not purposefully. The bottles are usually filled twice. Because of the size of the bottle the first full is called a Hot fill... The compression of gas inside the bottle makes the gas get hot and reads higher. The bottle is let cool, then topped off. They may have gotten busy and forgot to top it off.

Well, that along with the poor service and bad attitudes I get there makes me think I'm taking my business elsewhere.

[jakeru]

Different types of compressed gas cylinders are rated for different pressures. For example, if the bottle has a star imprinted on it (or two), it indicates the cylinder can handle additional pressure.

That said, my experience is that the local welding supply in my neck of the woods doesn't always give people what they bargain for. Still, they are the best option around. Just don't blindly trust the cubic feet printed on the invoice is correct.

[redbeard]

Also, I think I have a lifetime lease through this company (Airgas)
I'm wanting to get my bottles through another company that is closer to me. Can I just turn in my bottle when its empty and thats, that, or do they charge you to leave like the phone companys do.....?

Probably depends on the fine print in your paperwork, I don't see how they could charge you any more when you already have a lifetime lease. Switching to the other company without additional cost may depend on whether you got an unmarked cylinder(no problem at all, just like trading in an empty keg) or how fast and loose the LWSes in your area play with each others bottles.

[redbeard]

Just don't blindly trust the cubic feet printed on the invoice is correct.

Do you usually carry a gage with you to check?

[Spike]

AirGas is notorious for bad service. There must be *some* that do well... but i tend to avoid them on principle now, after having so many problems with them in the past.
I just don't know how they stay in business. One time at an AirGas in North Carolina i gave them 3 empty bottles, and they tried to give me back 2 fulls and 1 empty in exchange. Charged me for 3, tho. Caught it before i left their dock.

I usually crack the nozzle on the bottle real quick to check it before i take it home. After you've hooked up enough of them you know what the 'whoosh' of a full bottle sounds like in pitch and volume (and you should be cracking the valve open before you ever connect it to your regulator anyway, to clean out any dirt or dust that may have gotten in the fitting).

[jakeru]

Do you usually carry a gage with you to check?

I usually don't, just because it's inconvenient for me to do every time, and also, if a cylinder they brought out for me is underfilled, but only by 15-20% (as they often are), it is not actionable information for me (I am not going to reject it if it's underfilled by 15-20%, I am still going to take it. They have no means at their location to "top off" a cylinder with additional pressure, what they have is what they have, unless you want to try swapping with another cylinder.)

I think I only ran into a cylinder being underfilled less than that amount once... and they "made good" on it for me. A bit of a hassle to bring it back but they gave me a free fresh fill for it. They are real good to work with and have fair prices, (even considering their commonly underfilled cylinders.)

[DaveO]

Just for reference- I saw a post somewhere on the net that said one of the stamps on a cylinder is the "DOT #######" marking, and that the last four characters in that string of seven numbers after the DOT is the max psi for the bottle. The one I have downstairs is marked 2400, and it was at 2000 when I picked it up. I think I'll start carrying a gauge to the LWS when I go to get this one filled.

[Steve]

Ok... I just traded my bottle of Argon for another one.... it's a 300cf
My first bottle was charged to 1600psi and it was fall so a little warmer
This second bottle is charged to 2400psi and it was in my truck out in 30 degree weather all night.

Did I get ripped off on the first bottle?
What do they normally fill these to?

They should have a gauge and read the pressure before they give it to you. The pressure when refilled should read above 2100 psi, sometimes up to 2500 depending on temperature.

If your LWS does not read the pressure in front of you, then it is time to find another LWS. Mine does and they say it is company policy as an empty might find its way by mistake to the filled area.

[Cippee]

It never get one above 2000 psi. I am getting ripped, but the price is good so I guess it equals out.

[sportbike]

I finally exchanged my bottle today. I got it from the machine shop manager at work (was his personal bottle for previous home use, no use for it anymore). It is a 155cf bottle. I ran out the other night while working on my bike frame.

LWS that I went to was Matheson Gas in Johnstown, PA. Used to be Valley National Gas. Total out the door was $36.48. Bottle was filled to about 2100 or so. Bottle I got is rated at 2084psi. Bottle I exchanged was last Hydro'd in '97. No issues at all with the exchange.

This was the first time I had been to this store. Chatted with the desk clerk for a minute, then headed off to work. Didn't have any problems at all in dealing with them. No poor attitudes, nothing, just good customer service for a walk-in (me) buying $36 worth of gas.

[ChadP]

Ok... I just traded my bottle of Argon for another one.... it's a 300cf
My first bottle was charged to 1600psi and it was fall so a little warmer
This second bottle is charged to 2400psi and it was in my truck out in 30 degree weather all night.

Did I get ripped off on the first bottle?
What do they normally fill these to?

I've heard from many people and one guy that worked for airgas that they do rip people off all the time. Someone told my brother they actually take bottles people bring in and take them and act like the person didn't bring the bottle at all.

[SeanMurphy265]

Also, I think I have a lifetime lease through this company (Airgas)
I'm wanting to get my bottles through another company that is closer to me. Can I just turn in my bottle when its empty and thats, that, or do they charge you to leave like the phone companys do.....?

They no longer do lifetime leases, you now have to pay every year to lease. I would not turn that bottle in, but I would get one from another company. Sometimes you can get a bottle from Airgas with out their name, and if you get one find a gas pony location at a Northern Tool or Tractor Supply and trade it in! Gas Pony's are owner bottles and they will make you pay 25-30$ to swap to gas pony plus the gas. You walk away with an owner bottle without any company name, and you can fill your new bottle anywhere.

[Jake98]

My local airgas only sells up to 80 cf tanks Ar, C25, when you buy the tank they tell you the first fill in it is free. I think they may give you one that they took back partially full.