Welding and OxyAcet gas... where and how to get it, Lexington KY.

[RayIN]

Several decades ago I stopped using Acetylene and switched to propane. It burns hotter and cleaner, plus it's a lot cheaper, no tank rental fee; a 100# cylinder can be refilled by any LP retailer without any hassle.
Of course one must buy some different things. I sold all my welding stuff when my tremors got bad enough I couldn't hold a torch or stinger steady.
Now I make a trip to the city and have a commercial welding shop do the work, if something big requires welding they have a mobile truck.

 

[WranglerX]

Several decades ago I stopped using Acetylene and switched to propane. It burns hotter and cleaner, plus it's a lot cheaper, no tank rental fee; a 100# cylinder can be refilled by any LP retailer without any hassle.
Of course one must buy some different things. I sold all my welding stuff when my tremors got bad enough I couldn't hold a torch or stinger steady.
Now I make a trip to the city and have a commercial welding shop do the work, if something big requires welding they have a mobile truck.

An oxygen-acetylene flame has a significantly higher temperature than an oxygen-propane flame. Here's a breakdown:

• Oxygen-Acetylene: Reaches temperatures around 3,100 degrees Celsius (5,610 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Oxygen-Propane: Reaches temperatures around 2,800 degrees Celsius (5,072 degrees Fahrenheit).

Key Differences:

• Acetylene's Superiority: Acetylene burns hotter due to its unique chemical structure. It decomposes into hydrogen and carbon during combustion, releasing a large amount of heat.
• Applications:
  • Acetylene: Ideal for cutting thicker metals, welding a wider range of materials, and achieving higher quality welds.
  • Propane:More suitable for lighter-duty applications, such as brazing, heating, and cutting thinner metals.

In summary: While both fuels can be used with oxygen for cutting and welding, acetylene provides a hotter flame, making it more versatile and effective for many applications.

Sources and related content
Gas Welding – Acetylene vs Propane - Wilhelmsen

 

[5030]

I'm looking to get welding gas, however, I am having a significant amount of trouble doing so.

I currently have a mig/Tig/stick Everlast machine, but I've only been using the stick or Flux core components.

I want to use Mig and try Tig. So... I contact AirGas thinking my local store can take care of me. Little did I know what I was getting into. I'm looking to purchase at least a 4'/125cf bottle, but I'd rather get a 200cf bottle, as I hate running out or frequent fill-ups. My goal was simply to purchase a couple 200cf bottles, take them to AirGas and get them filled. Well, that isn't happening, as AirGas only leases those and bigger bottles for $100/yr. They will exchange for filled bottle, but I can't simply buy a bottle outright.

And on Oxyacetaline, I just wanted to get a couple larger bottles to not have to worry about refills/runout. Again, ran into a wall. I can fill out a credit app, lease the bottles, and everything is good. But spending $300/yr on a lease doesn't make any sense to me. So... what are my options? What are you doing?

I won't be using much, in all honesty, so I could go with a couple small bottles and likely do fine. But I have a burr under my saddle now, and don't really want to go that route unless its my only choice.

Today, you cannot any bottles over 120 cubic feet of compressed gas, no exceptions to that. If I were you I'd buy filled bottles from Weldfabulous in Winona, Mn. They have a nice website and also sell them on Amazon pus they are a full line / service welding supply house. All my gas bottles except my oxygen and acetylene bottles are from them and I own all of them and have my local Air-Gas compressor station fill them for me. 120 CuFt bottles unless you are running the balls out of them will last a pretty long time. I have striaght argon for TIG, 75-25 and Tri Mix for MIG all in 120's from Weldfablous and I have 2 of each so when I need bottles filled, I have a full bottle in the rack to switch to. My oxygen bottle is a 175 cubic foot bottle and I do exchange it but if I didn't own it, I would not be able to replace it now and my acetylene bottle is a 120 dissolved which I also own but exchange at Air Gas. Keep in mind I do have a commercial account so individuals may be different, I really don't know.

 

[5030]

On post 21 the poster had that bass ackwards. Propane burns significantly colder than Acetylene. only why scrappers use it is it's cheaper and it takes a significant more amount of propane to achieve the same BTU's as acetylene. Like I said, offset is cost mostly.

 

[mini14]

By me all the refill companys do exchanges only, id rather do that, buying a new tank only to turn it in to the gas co and you get whatever they give you in exchange, you are also guaranteed that the tank you get is hydro tested certified so just get a couple of used cylinders off facebook marketplace and exchange them.super easy

 

[dsbike]

I use Airgas in Wilmington NC, I have Argon & Oxy Ace. I can't remember if I leased or purchased any of my tanks, but I believe I have purchased them. I have had them for 20+ years & only refill every 2-3 years for the Argon, 4-6 years for Oxy or Ace. I don't pay a yearly fee when I refill & I refilled the Argon within the past year. I have even exchanged for different size bottle. I do use 75% argon for mig. Unless you are welding Alumium I don't believe you want 100% argon even 90% is unusal for mig.

Have you actually gone in and talked with the counter people about getting setup? Their practices may differ from the website. Also I started with my tanks in Charlotte NC with Airgas & moved to the coast with no issues to get refilled.

It stands in my mind that either Airgas changed thier name or I actually started off with a different company for the oxy-ace.

I have seen oxy-ace setups on online goverment auctions complete with tanks. This may be worth investigating. Then you get a complete setup hopefully for less than new bottles, Then just exchange for full when needed.

 

[Harry in Ky]

I'm looking to get welding gas, however, I am having a significant amount of trouble doing so.

I currently have a mig/Tig/stick Everlast machine, but I've only been using the stick or Flux core components.

I want to use Mig and try Tig. So... I contact AirGas thinking my local store can take care of me. Little did I know what I was getting into. I'm looking to purchase at least a 4'/125cf bottle, but I'd rather get a 200cf bottle, as I hate running out or frequent fill-ups. My goal was simply to purchase a couple 200cf bottles, take them to AirGas and get them filled. Well, that isn't happening, as AirGas only leases those and bigger bottles for $100/yr. They will exchange for filled bottle, but I can't simply buy a bottle outright.

And on Oxyacetaline, I just wanted to get a couple larger bottles to not have to worry about refills/runout. Again, ran into a wall. I can fill out a credit app, lease the bottles, and everything is good. But spending $300/yr on a lease doesn't make any sense to me. So... what are my options? What are you doing?

I won't be using much, in all honesty, so I could go with a couple small bottles and likely do fine. But I have a burr under my saddle now, and don't really want to go that route unless its my only choice.

I have one each oxygen, acetylene, and argon mix bottles I bought many years ago at a local welding supply when I lived in Idaho. I ran into problems trying to refill them here at Airgas in Lexington, so I ended up swapping them out at TSC. Had to pay a "certification" fee with each one, but it got me going. I trade them for filled bottles as needed. Price isn't all that bad. If I were you, I would scout craig's list for used bottles and go that route. I see them come up from time to time at reasonable prices. TSC wants like $500 each plus for outright sales.

 

[paulsharvey]

I have one each oxygen, acetylene, and argon mix bottles I bought many years ago at a local welding supply when I lived in Idaho. I ran into problems trying to refill them here at Airgas in Lexington, so I ended up swapping them out at TSC. Had to pay a "certification" fee with each one, but it got me going. I trade them for filled bottles as needed. Price isn't all that bad. If I were you, I would scout craig's list for used bottles and go that route. I see them come up from time to time at reasonable prices. TSC wants like $500 each plus for outright sales.

If you go this route, make sure to talk to TSC, cause their training manual says they can do that, but locally they say they only take their own Thorughbreed marked bottles

 

[Smokeydog]

Different suppliers have different options. They like you lease. They make money wether you use gas or not.

Use local gas provider. Paid one time fee, $160 per bottle 75/25 and pure argon. Swap out bottles when empty and pay just for gas. Don’t use much unless have a big project.

Same for Oxy/act. It’s gotten expensive for gas and plasma is so much better for cutting. Definitely consider Oxy/propane if I were adding today. They also don’t rebuild regulators anymore which makes overall cost higher.

 

[WranglerX]

Bottom line here is shop all oxy/gas outlets locally and find plan that fits your needs....