Experience refilling argon or 75/25 cylinders yourself?

[jwmorris]

Tighten the fitting on the full bottle and snug the empty one finger tight. Crack the valve and you will hear gas being released from the not yet tight fitting. At this time turn your wrench, purged line.

If you are really worried take your tanks in before the cert expires for at least one refill to swap the tank with another, if your supplier does exchanges.

 

[aczlan]

The ends that I used for my tube were hanging on the wall in my local welding supply. They are 1/4" NPT opposite the end that fits the tank and are for repairing regulators.
If you can't find them there, you can get them here.
CGA 580 Nut and 2 1 2" Nipple Regulator Inlet Fitting for Argon Nitrogen Helium | eBay

Even better, $57 (shipped) for a line with a tee and 3 CGA 860 fittings:
CGA580 Tee FFM with Flexible Hose High Pressure Gas Manifold Cylinder Regulator | eBay
CGA580 Tee FFM with Flexible Hose High Pressure Gas Manifold Cylinder Regulator | eBay

Aaron Z

 

[CNC Dan]

Need to purge oxygen for sure. Do you think cracking one fitting could be simpler than a valve cuz it's one-way?

I would leave the fitting on the small(empty) just a little loose ,then crack the large tank's valve to clear the line, then close it. Then I would crack the valve on the smaller tank to clear any air in the valve body. Then tighten all fittings, and slowly open both valves.

 

[Arc weld]

Might want to purge the small cylinder too because if it goes empty, could get condensation or other impurities in it which would affect the welding. Seems like a PIA for a 20 cu. ft. cylinder but to each his own.

 

[DXN1EL]

Talking about 20cf. How long would this thing last Lincoln Electric Port-A-Torch Kit-KH776 at The Home Depot

 

[CNC Dan]

Might want to purge the small cylinder too because if it goes empty, could get condensation or other impurities in it which would affect the welding. Seems like a PIA for a 20 cu. ft. cylinder but to each his own.

I agree, PITA. I find the 80CF tanks are easy enough to handle and transport, and not too quick to go empty. I can't imagine using 20CF tanks.

 

[Arc weld]

Even a 50 wouldn't be too hard to carry.

"Talking about 20cf. How long would this thing last Lincoln Electric Port-A-Torch Kit-KH776 at The Home Depot"

The oxygen, about 10-15 minutes max. The porta-torches do serve a purpose though if you have to cut something that is really high or hard to get to. If you had to weld something that was really hard to get to, most people would stick weld it rather than play with a 20cf cylinder.

 

[Sodo]

AaronZ, you rule. I ordered the one with the SS braided hose.

I have a 80cf and an 40cf & am experienced in moving them. A 20cf may have its own PITAs but trading for the PITA of moving the 40 and 80. I have a Multimatic 200 and can stick weld if outside/windy or no gas. This is a project for those who are tire of putting gas bottles in the truck. Probably not useful to those who don't.

Might want to purge the small cylinder too because if it goes empty, could get condensation or other impurities in it which would affect the welding.

No condensation if it's never left open. I think everybody would close the valve before removing the regulator. No reason to be left open, foolish even. Nobody who understands the purpose of the gas would let oxygen into his inert gas bottle. I suppose it's useful to leave a few psi of positive pressure remaining if you can.

 

[jwmorris]

Nobody who understands the purpose of the gas would let oxygen into his inert gas bottle.

Not to mention he/she would have to make a special transfer tube as they have different fittings.

As do propane and acetylene.

 

[aczlan]

AaronZ, you rule. I ordered the one with the SS braided hose.

Thanks, glad to hear that it was what you needed.

Aaron Z