Need Argon Bottle Wondering What's Fair

[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.

[Bigwilly01]

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.

[undercut]

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.

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 ....

[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 . . .

[undercut]

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 . . .

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 ....