Old Timer Lookin to Downsize Large Professional Shop

[mx842]

Interesting. How do you know that those are rental tanks? I have two or three sets of ownership oxy/acetylene tanks, but when I swap them out they just load whichever tank is next up. I've never known or cared whether they were marked one way or another.
Afterall, they aren't filling my tank - well, sometimes we transfill the oxygen, but usually not.
rScotty

The tanks on those carts look to me to be the large 350cf tanks and around here they won't sell you those tanks and you have to lease them. I think the largest tank size you can actually own is around 150cf. There was a long time ago that you could own those larger tanks but most of those have been phased out over the years because of new DOT rules and regulations. Around here most LWS's won't even exchange customer owned tanks unless you bought them from them. Years ago it didn't matter they would exchange tanks of the proper size no matter where they came from but they are phasing that practice out rather quickly. That's what happens when these giant companies buy up all the smaller welding supply houses and the goument gets finished making one new law after another until it gets to the point where you might not be allowed to even have one of those tanks anymore.

 

[rScotty]

It's a large country. Different things in different areas.

 

[mx842]

It's a large country. Different things in different areas.

Not knowing what LWS the owner of the business uses It's hard to say. There may be some small supply houses that still do things like they did in the old days. Airgas has bought up just about any store front that has anything to do with welding or gas supplies and I know the corporate office pretty much calls the shots on any of their branches no matter where they are.
Airgas bought up my old welding supply house, Arcet and I had about a dozen smaller tanks of varying sizes that I had bought from them and when Airgas bought them out they would not refill them any longer. A couple of those tanks I had cost almost $500 and all they were good for was maybe a mail box post, the scrap yard wouldn't even take them unless you cut them in pieces.
I didn't want this to turn into a heated debate all I wanted to do was to bring this up so that the OP could at least check it out before they went out the door and find out later that they were rental tanks that they will be responsible for, that's all.

 

[rScotty]

We

Not knowing what LWS the owner of the business uses It's hard to say. There may be some small supply houses that still do things like they did in the old days. Airgas has bought up just about any store front that has anything to do with welding or gas supplies and I know the corporate office pretty much calls the shots on any of their branches no matter where they are.
Airgas bought up my old welding supply house, Arcet and I had about a dozen smaller tanks of varying sizes that I had bought from them and when Airgas bought them out they would not refill them any longer. A couple of those tanks I had cost almost $500 and all they were good for was maybe a mail box post, the scrap yard wouldn't even take them unless you cut them in pieces.
I didn't want this to turn into a heated debate all I wanted to do was to bring this up so that the OP could at least check it out before they went out the door and find out later that they were rental tanks that they will be responsible for, that's all.

Well, as you say it is certainly worth checking out the local regs. This is small town USA, most welding suppliers are smaller businesses around here. There used to be an Airgas store a few towns over, but shut down now. I think there is still one in Denver.
Largest Colorado gas supplier seems to be General Air, but I'm not up on any of the details. My guess is most suppliers ship the tanks somewhere to be filled.

Certainly we hear a lot of different info on tanks and filling of welding gas tanks. I personally wouldn't want to fill someone's unknown tank - or even be in the same county with a business that did that.
But surprisingly, the local gas suppliers don't seem to pay much attention to where the tanks come from. It's been a couple of years since I filled mine. Thinking on it, you're right. I should check again.
rScotty

 

[TMGT]

Not knowing what LWS the owner of the business uses It's hard to say. There may be some small supply houses that still do things like they did in the old days. Airgas has bought up just about any store front that has anything to do with welding or gas supplies and I know the corporate office pretty much calls the shots on any of their branches no matter where they are.
Airgas bought up my old welding supply house, Arcet and I had about a dozen smaller tanks of varying sizes that I had bought from them and when Airgas bought them out they would not refill them any longer. A couple of those tanks I had cost almost $500 and all they were good for was maybe a mail box post, the scrap yard wouldn't even take them unless you cut them in pieces.
I didn't want this to turn into a heated debate all I wanted to do was to bring this up so that the OP could at least check it out before they went out the door and find out later that they were rental tanks that they will be responsible for, that's all.

I own a couple 300cuft tanks, use to get them refilled at Airgas but the only good employee moved to Arc3 so I go there now. Airgas would just exchange my owned tanks where as Arc3 will send them out to get filled.

Arcet merged with the Machine and Welding company in 2013 to become Arc3

You can own larger tanks, there's an Arc3 in Richmond if Airgas is giving you problems.

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[5030]

Selling my pristine 1997 Ford F350 4 wheel drive long bed 4 door diesel that has never been in the snow. Asking 35 and I'll get it. Bought it new in 97. Just under 100K well maintained miles too.

 

[durano]

I'm more interested in your reasons from moving from Colorado to Alaska. My son is stationed near Anchorage and loves it.

That’s where my wife is from, Anchorage that is. Her mom passed 2 years ago in April and it’s been eating her up since then. Her dad & niece still live there. Her brother lives in Soldotna. She wants to go home before it’s too late.
So, we’re going.