Oxy acetylene

[JimS]

Is it worthwhile to buy used oxy acetylene set ups? Should I just go new? I understand about inspection dates and stars indicating when the rating expires and that the neck should be clean of marks indicating ownership.

Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[Catskill Pete]

The very first thing is to check around and make sure there is a place that will fill or exchange tanks they didn't sell. Where I am located in central NY one supplier has a virtual monopoly. If it isn't their tank you are out of luck, they won't touch it.

 

[dr sportster]

If you are talking about tanks it may be hard to get b@stard bottles filled.In my area most suppliers have their own bottles marked you have to lease.

 

[Dalex]

Just check to see who owns the bottle and if it can be refilled. If it's past the inspection date , it's another $25 to retest.

 

[JML755]

As for tanks, I just swap empty oxy-acetylene tanks at the Praxair dealer for full ones. Started out with 2 tanks I got for free some years ago and lord knows where they're at now.

 

[Sprint 6]

I would only buy used bottles based on the usable gas in them, after they are empty they are scrap in my area. The two franchise gas dealers here will only fill owned bottles if you have a bill of sale on their or their predessesor's letter head, effectively making used bottles worthless.

 

[da.bees]

I'm near Dallas/Ft Worth and most suppliers have been bought out by AirGas and Peixair. Nether of them nor the few remaining independents will swap or fill bottles they didn't sell or lease. It's obiouvly a regional thing since it's different other places.

 

[Loosehandle]

At the two suppliers here the smaller size cylinders are owned not leased so they will exchange them.

 

[hd6gtom]

Jim buy the torch set up new. You can rent or purchase tanks. If you go to a welding supply business and tell them how you will be using it, they will be able to advise on the size and type of set up you need. Do yourself a favor, buy a good rubber tired cart.

 

[CenTex Farmall]

Best thing is to go and talk to whichever place you will be trading with. These things seem to vary by state and region. I use a local Praxair where I "bought" mine years ago. However, I have taken in old bottles with no problem. One was 30 years out of date.

Talking to the guy, I got the impression that there is a "family tree" of which company bought out the other and then they inherit all their named equipment. When I get a fresh bottle it may have one of three or four names. I know I get old Linde bottles sometimes but can't think of the others that go with Praxair.

Those bottles last a long time. Two or three years ago I got one that was first stamped in 1914.