So I bought a nice new Clarke MIG130 welder that can use gas or no gas. I have been using it without gas since I got it, just to use up the last of my flux-core wire. But I need to weld some stainless now and wanted to go get some Argon.

Here is the situation: I bought a couple 20 ft³ gas cylinders used from Ebay. I checked both of them, and they both have a current hydro test. I went to AirGas to exchange them or have them filled, and they refused to do it. Their reasoning was:

1) There are no lables on the bottles saying what the last gas in them was.

2) The bottles would have to be re-hydrotested.


Now are they just giving me the runaround? I got the impression from this guy that they just wanted me to buy their bottles, and not use mine. The guy even said, and I quote,

"I can't do anything for you, but I can take these bottles off your hands if you want."

So what's the deal? The hydrotests are current, and the bottle valves are fully open. There is no way any residue gas could be left in them, even if they had been used for something other than shielding gas, which I am sure they haven't. Are all gas companies going to be like this? Where can I go to get my bottles filled/exchanged? I don't want to lose the money that I invested in these bottles!

 

I had a similar problem, i bought 2 200cf tanks locally from a guy, they were just inspected a few days before i picked them up, took them to Airgas and they gave me a hard time, untill I pointed out that they were just inspected and tested and havnt been filled since. Try another Airgas, or another gas supplier in the area.

 

I kind of had the same problem.

It seems like if you don't buy the bottle from the company, they tell you they can't fill it and give you the run around. I almost had the same problem and the company said they would not take the bottles because they would have to pay to get them certified again.

 

Just try somewhere else..

 

There is a Praxair here in Seattle as well. So I should just take it to them and hope they don't do the same? This seems like a shitty situation for everyone.

 

the praxair by me is cool. I would go to your locall praxair

 

Just lease the bottles from them. we do its not bad.. it was like 180 for the 10 year lease and the first fill.. so only like 100 for the 10 year lease.. thats only 10/year.
i have a huge bottle also.

 

if you have a BOC gas near you try them