Best way to buy argon and tanks?

I get acetylene and oxygen from the local welding store. I used to pick it up when I had a truck with a rack in the bed, but I switched to a van and started having the gas delivered.

Are argon tanks available for trade in or do they have to be filled?

Do they expire and require updated testing after 10 years or so?

What should I look for?

Tanks can fit in my van, but I'm not sure if it is legal.

I would want to secure them anyway.

A good source for DOT approved tanks?

Best way to purchase tanks and argon?

Places and things to avoid?

I have an AirGas tank and they require that they arrive in a truck, for insurance reasons. They wouldn't even swapout my 20lb bottle when I brought it there in a car.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mbmalone

I have an AirGas tank and they require that they arrive in a truck, for insurance reasons. They wouldn't even swapout my 20lb bottle when I brought it there in a car.

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I have heard at the local welding store that a DOT man sometimes waits on the street, but I'm never sure of the transport requirements. When I had a pick-up, I'd secure the tanks in a rack in the bed. Now I might get some sort of trailer or something that attaches to the trailer hitch.