125 CF Oxygen tank for $175 good deal?

Shaneard · Dec 16, 2016

I think when I bought my tanks (5 of them, 2 torch sets and one on mig welder) they were about $175 each and I just trade them in when they need filling. I guess I'm on more of an owner lease than owning the tanks. The plus side is I don't have to pay to have them checked when the time comes.

yomax4 · Dec 16, 2016

Touchy, In my area 2 Praxair stores 60 miles apart. 1 sells them the other does not. If there is no Name on the neck ring you will be the owner. If it says Airgas or a LWS name you will need a receipt saying you are the owner. In the end, Many want the gas business so they will fill it or trade for a life lease. I've traded for life leases. you pay $35 every 5 years but no hydrotest fees and you just even exchange it with multiple location options. If you were close i'd probably sell you one for $100. I have tanks all over the place. Good Luck.

Fallon · Dec 17, 2016

I just upgraded my customer owned 150cf tank to a 250cf tank at my LWS. $20-25 for the inspection as it was out of date (I got over 6-7 years ago at a different shop, no surprise there). Charged me $60 to swap up to the bigger tank. He said a fill is $25 + gas, so the bigger tanks end up being noticeably cheaper to fill. Makes sense as there is the same labor involved more or less to fill a tank. Said he had 3 guys a day asking about swapping to a bigger or more portable tank & does it all the time.

Usually you end up getting a "new" tank swapped in when you get a fill regardless of it being customer owned or leased. I looked at it & decided to buy rather than lease when I started welding. Made marginally more sense for my limited usage. Ended up being for the best as we moved after a few years. I owned it so didn't have to take it back for a fill or to end the lease at the old LWS.