Need Argon Bottle Wondering What's Fair

I need to scare up a bottle of argon for my PP256, on order. Last time I did this I paid about $150 deposit for a 20 cu ft bottle of AR/CO2 and after that, $35 for refills. Local dealer is Praxair and I'm concerned because they don't publish their prices and every time I go in there to refill I can see the Dude behind the counter sizing me up. Feel like there's a multi-tier pricing structure and I always come out on the short end, despite showing up in an old pickup wearing dirty Levis and sweaty t-shirt. Any thoughts as to what is a fair price for cylinder deposit? Southern Kali-fornia. Orange County, to be specific.

thats way to hi there a rip off . http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-CF-WELDIN...-/130480046587 my refill cost for a 80cf tank argon is 36.00 .

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

thats way to hi there a rip off . http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-CF-WELDIN...-/130480046587 my refill cost for a 80cf tank argon is 36.00 .

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I'm no expert in these things but I think the general consensus is that the larger bottles aren't that much more to fill than the smaller ones.

that's why all my tanks are 80cf or bigger small tanks are a waste of money

I'm with Rod 80 or larger ... I stay w/ 80's because there big enough for a fair amount of gas yet easy to handle and don't weigh too much.

I wouldnt use anything smaller than a 80 cf and I paid 180 each to BUY not rent my 125cf tanks. one from praxair and one from airgas. Give them hell and they will come around to your way of thinking. Praxair tried charging me over 200 for it and when i said i could get it cheaper miraculously he matched airgas price. and refills are only about 35 bucks for the 125cf.

I think I paid about $200-ish for a 150cf to own, and $45 for the fill at my LWS. 150cf is a really good size, easy to move around, and a reasonable amount of capacity. Personally, I found the big chains (i.e. airgas) to be annoying pains, but YMMV. I would recommend shopping around for a LWS that you trust, and hopefully you can get a good price on tanks and refills.

Cheers
Mike

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Originally Posted by Slartybartfa

I need to scare up a bottle of argon for my PP256, on order. Last time I did this I paid about $150 deposit for a 20 cu ft bottle of AR/CO2 and after that, $35 for refills. Local dealer is Praxair and I'm concerned because they don't publish their prices and every time I go in there to refill I can see the Dude behind the counter sizing me up. Feel like there's a multi-tier pricing structure and I always come out on the short end, despite showing up in an old pickup wearing dirty Levis and sweaty t-shirt. Any thoughts as to what is a fair price for cylinder deposit? Southern Kali-fornia. Orange County, to be specific.

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I agree almost all the welding shops have there own prices depending on who you talk to. Now you are in Kalifornia so that is a problem to begin with. On the other hand I would get a larger bottle. I pretty much always use 125s they probably are closer to twice the price you are paying for a refill but you get a lot more gas. Now for the $150 deposit I would call that a rental or lease. So how long to you get to keep the tank? Someone else here posted a while back they got a rental for about the same price and it was listed as a 100 year lease.

I would see if I could get at least an 80. See if they could alter the lease deal you got for a larger tank. Not sure if you gave the tank back if you get all your deposit back. Buying or renting I prefer to buy. I tried renting a propane tank it started out at $2 a month or $130 for a new tank. Then it went to $3 then to $5 then to $6 all within a few months. Turned it in and bought a tank. Actually found a couple used ones and a local guy that fills em cheap. But they are heavy to haul full. 250 lbs????

thats the truth large propane tanks are very heavy full i have to larger ones i use for my machine shop oven the have to be around 175 pounds full , are town has no natural gas so every one uses propane

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Originally Posted by Winky

I'm with Rod 80 or larger ... I stay w/ 80's because there big enough for a fair amount of gas yet easy to handle and don't weigh too much.

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So very true. Once you get into the "larger" bottles, it isn't so much the cost of buying the bottle or refilling, it's how easy it is to get it out to fill and move it around. Even more painful if you don't have a truck ....

Update. Soon after I posted that I looked on Craigslist and found a full, new owner 250 cf argon tank with the shrink wrap still on the valve for 200. Hydro test date of 2011. The listing first appeared today. The seller said if I'm quoted over $50 to fill it (exchange) in the future to walk out. Picked it up this evening (have a pickup, no problem there). Problem solved, but with the pricing structure as murky as it is I appreciate everyone's thoughts. Every time I walk into a bricks and mortar welding shop the Dude behind the counter sizing me up, wondering how much I'll pay. I feel sort of like a guy walking into a bridal shower. All those young women with only one thing on their mind. Feel like a piece of meat. It's so degrading . . .

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Originally Posted by Slartybartfa

Update. Soon after I posted that I looked on Craigslist and found a full, new owner 250 cf argon tank with the shrink wrap still on the valve for 200. Hydro test date of 2011. The listing first appeared today. The seller said if I'm quoted over $50 to fill it (exchange) in the future to walk out. Picked it up this evening (have a pickup, no problem there). Problem solved, but with the pricing structure as murky as it is I appreciate everyone's thoughts. Every time I walk into a bricks and mortar welding shop the Dude behind the counter sizing me up, wondering how much I'll pay. I feel sort of like a guy walking into a bridal shower. All those young women with only one thing on their mind. Feel like a piece of meat. It's so degrading . . .

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From 20 to 250, now that's an upgrade. Congratulations on your purchase. You know, some guys would love the opportunity to be treated like a piece of meat ....

HI
Next time call the LWS (call more if there are more) and tell them you are an out of town welder doing a job and need your tank filled. Get the price from each, pick the price you like and if changes when you go in give them what for about the price change. We have at least 2 and one is a real bandit so I go to the other guy.
Check the collar on the tank you are buying I was told you could not buy the big tanks (above 150) you may get a surprise when you go to refill it.
Have fun
Tom

There's nothing imprinted on the collar. Tank's got a fresh sticker and the valve is shrink-wrapped. The seller said to expect that when I go to fill it they'll take my tank in exchange for a full one, which is fine. There are lots of welding suppliers around here. Praxair seems to have a lot of affiliates.

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Originally Posted by Slartybartfa

There's nothing imprinted on the collar. Tank's got a fresh sticker and the valve is shrink-wrapped. The seller said to expect that when I go to fill it they'll take my tank in exchange for a full one, which is fine. There are lots of welding suppliers around here. Praxair seems to have a lot of affiliates.

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Just careful if you exchange it... Once you do you are stuck. If you have no label anyone can fill it. Once you exchange it... It puts their name on the tank and you can only use that company after that. Make SURE you get a receipt when you exchange it the first time showing a customer owned tank was exchanged that way if they EVER give you grief that it is one of theirs you can have proof it is NOT.

BTDT lost the tank...

$17 for me.

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Originally Posted by 225

$17 for me.

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???? Are you soliciting???