Just upgraded to a 250 CFT argon tank.

[zoama]

I bought a MM 252 in the spring and my LWS gave me a killer deal on larger tanks, 300 cu ft for their price of their 250's, so I could not resist. COP=Customer Owned Property. They are a pain to lift but I bought a gantry crane for other needs and will use it for the tanks.

I've been thinking about making a handle that will clamp onto the side of the large tanks to handle them easier.

[everlastsupport]

I have a furniture (vertical) dolly I picked up somewhere that is curved, on the back part, not flat. I do not even have to strap them on it, just learn it far enough, hold the cap and they stay. Takes a lot of weight off me. I can roll the large ones, but hate to run over things with heavy steel. Only one small tank left, but they do not roll well to move them.

The handle idea, might want two on there or a long handle, then attempt to get in the center.

[Mr120]

My vote goes to the furniture dolly but only the ones with the bigger wheels. I had a refrigerator delivered the other day. First one in probably 15 years. They didn't use a dolly at all. They just used those straps that go on your forearms.

[everlastsupport]

My vote goes to the furniture dolly but only the ones with the bigger wheels. I had a refrigerator delivered the other day. First one in probably 15 years. They didn't use a dolly at all. They just used those straps that go on your forearms.

Mr120, Where are you located? Maybe fill it in, in your profile.

We have a lot of steps here, so that might work better for a frig in my case.

[Jason]

My LWS is only open during the week and I have to scramble at lunch time to get refills done, so the frequency will be less...BONUS!

Same here but I am lucky enough to get an hour lunch and get paid salary so if it takes me a little extra time it does not matter as I tend to put in way more hours than I get paid for anyways andmy boss understands.

[breakneckmot]

I'm just getting into TIG, I bought my current machine from a friend this weekend. He loaned me the Argon cylinder he was using with it. I need to go get it filled and I'm trying to decide if I should just fill it (80 CF) and use it, or if I should rent/buy a second one for myself. I like the idea of a backup cylinder since my LWS shops (Airgas/praxair) are both only open on weekdays during the hours I work my 8-5 job. I really don't know how much argon I'll be using, I have been using my fluxcore about 3-4 nights a week and have gone through about 8lbs. of wire in about 2 months.

[joshuab]

I really don't know how much argon I'll be using, I have been using my fluxcore about 3-4 nights a week and have gone through about 8lbs. of wire in about 2 months.

Typical TIG flow rate is about 15 cfh. 80 cf / 15 cfh is about 5 hours. Post-flow will affect the accuracy of that number. If you're tacking up a lot, you'll have 1-2 seconds of arc followed by 5-10 seconds of post-flow, whereas when you're welding you might have 20-60 seconds of arc. So the post-flow "overage" varies, but dividing the tank size by 15 will at least give you some basis for comparison.

[breakneckmot]

Typical TIG flow rate is about 15 cfh. 80 cf / 15 cfh is about 5 hours. Post-flow will affect the accuracy of that number. If you're tacking up a lot, you'll have 1-2 seconds of arc followed by 5-10 seconds of post-flow, whereas when you're welding you might have 20-60 seconds of arc. So the post-flow "overage" varies, but dividing the tank size by 15 will at least give you some basis for comparison.

Good info, thanks! I really need to get my current bottle swapped/filled and just use it. I really don't know how much arc time I'll be spending a night and the only way to tell will be to start playing I guess.

[johnnymg]

Thanks for starting this thread: I'm planning on trading in my little 80 cf tank for the next size bigger (~140). I'm a TIG newbie and was a bit surprised to see that cylinder gauge drop so fast. I'm setting up a CK torch with a gas lens so hopefully I'll be able to drop the flow rates a bit.

cheers
JohnG

[joshuab]

Thanks for starting this thread: I'm planning on trading in my little 80 cf tank for the next size bigger (~140). I'm a TIG newbie and was a bit surprised to see that cylinder gauge drop so fast. I'm setting up a CK torch with a gas lens so hopefully I'll be able to drop the flow rates a bit.

I crunched the numbers once, and I didn't find that a gas lens saved enough gas to really make up its own cost. If you were burning through a LOT of gas, that math might change. IMO, the real benefits for a hobbyist are increased stickout for better visibility and better reach into narrow corners where a hobbyist's (usually) larger torch would have trouble getting.

[nitris223]

I bought a MM 252 in the spring and my LWS gave me a killer deal on larger tanks, 300 cu ft for their price of their 250's, so I could not resist. COP=Customer Owned Property. They are a pain to lift but I bought a gantry crane for other needs and will use it for the tanks. They asked if I wanted to fill out a simple form like a company which was just my name and address so I could get better fill rates that they guarantee for months (but not on Helium gas).

It will be a while before I have to fill these bad boys up. My LWS is only open during the week and I have to scramble at lunch time to get refills done, so the frequency will be less...BONUS!Attachment 10495Attachment 10496

Prices are in Cdn.

The only tank I can buy here is a 80 cf tank from Praxair at a LWS. $90 for a refill. Acklands is the only other place to get gas and they want $112 for a exchange tank if I am on a 3 yr contract. I think some of these places set their price as they wish. I wish I could get a 330 filled for $98. So due to the contract price of $181 for 3 yrs and $112 for a refill charge the S (138 cf) is about all I want to swing for this hobby. I would hate to see what they would want for a 330cf tank contract and refill.

[everlastsupport]

The only tank I can buy here is a 80 cf tank from Praxair at a LWS. $90 for a refill. Acklands is the only other place to get gas and they want $112 for a exchange tank if I am on a 3 yr contract. I think some of these places set their price as they wish. I wish I could get a 330 filled for $98. So due to the contract price of $181 for 3 yrs and $112 for a refill charge the S (138 cf) is about all I want to swing for this hobby. I would hate to see what they would want for a 330cf tank contract and refill.

390 (C25) here is $34. Were are you located? Maybe add that to your profile.

[nitris223]

I will add my area. I am in Canada , we get screwed over on just about everything. They always claim that there is not enough sales compared to the States. Just a sad excuse to charge what they like.

[everlastsupport]

At least Everlast Canada has good pricing when you consider the service and all. But that does not help on the argon for sure. It's a shame on the prices up there, but I can assure you things are not all that great here in the states, like healthcare etc.

Main thing is keep the gas at the minimum to maximize the tank, and if you can get a larger tank it always help though it's a pain to get filled if you do it yourself.