Argon cylinder that won't be filled again

aczlan · Feb 6, 2016

Stimw said:
On How It's Made IIRC they were Hydro-ing the new cylinder at 5500 lbs.
They showed making from blank to finished cylinder!

This one?

Aaron Z

Jorville · Feb 7, 2016

aczlan, I always wondered how a cylinder was made, now I know. That straight line rupture sure looked like a weld with a cold spot though. Thanks for the video.

When I bought my first cylinders back in 1967, I paid $45.00 each for them. Even back then with the equipment and process for making the cylinders, how could they sell them for so little.

WM75Guy · Feb 7, 2016

When I serviced fire extinguishers we did DOT testing of cylinders. That looks like a failed hydrostatic test. From the video you can see the test vessel is not much larger than the cylinder so there is not much room for expansion. It does make a loud noise when one fails. Fortunately that was a rare thing. A normal fail was too much stretch without rupture. In that case we hade to cut or drill the cylinder to render it unusable.

Jim Timber · Feb 8, 2016

That looks like Oxygen Service Company? Or was it Airgas?

Do your wallet a huge favor and scoot over to Metro Welding Supply in Columbia Heights. He won't try to scam you with tank service contracts for $35 a year.

Jorville · Feb 8, 2016

Jim Timber, That is at Oxygen service. I traded a oxygen tank for an argon tank at oxygen service back in 88, same size as pictured. They have never asked for a service contract. If they do I will go somewhere else. I live on the south side of the cities so Columbia Heights is a little out of the way. I started out buying gas from Air Products out of Shakopee back in 67. Them Twin City Oxygen took over, Then Reynolds and now Mathestson. None of those have ever charged a yearly fee of any sort. I have heard that Toll is high on cylinder charges.

Jim Timber · Feb 8, 2016

OSC lost my business about 9 years ago when they sent notice that all my tanks were going to be enrolled and mandated a $35/yr maintenance fee unless I came in, in person to sign off that I wasn't interested. While I was there I told them it was the last visit I'd be making.

I'm guessing that scheme had adverse effects and they dropped it. I'm happy not using them and get better prices and service from Metro. They're about 4 miles apart btw.

Jorville · Feb 8, 2016

Jim Timber, I would bet they still have that fee. I have not bought gas from them since I got that cylinder. I would bet that I would be hit for a fee also. I will go else where also. Most likely Mathestson, they are closer and no fees.

dstig1 · Feb 8, 2016

I have really come to like Mississippi Welders Supply. There are a few in Minnesota, but the Hudson WI location is very convenient for me. The only fee they hit me on is $15 every 2 or 3 years ostensibly to cover hydro testing. Otherwise I have the tanks on a lifetime lease for a one time upfront fee, plus gas costs of course. And they have some Sat hours too, which is handy. I suppose they will get gobbled up someday, but until then they seem like a good outfit.

Jim Timber · Feb 9, 2016

Metro doesn't charge hydros, and I own my tanks but he swaps them out on refills.

What does Mississippi charge for a fill on a 330cf of Argon?

dstig1 · Feb 9, 2016

Sorry, don't know. I don't have one that big (yet...). One of these days I will up my oxygen tank to a 330 from the 120 I have now. They said they would exchange for full credit if I wanted to upsize at any time. I was space limited at the time, and that was the best I could do, but since I use oxy-propane, it sucks O2 like crazy, so I need a bigger tank. I haven't had to refill anything for the past year or two as I just haven't been doing much metal working while I've been building the house.