Who owns rented bottle?

I bought both sets of my O/A bottles about 25 years ago. When I got my mig, the welding supply told me the AR/CO2 bottle wasn't for sale. It had to be rented. Well, I've rented it now for 15 years on an annual basis. I don't use it much, so it lasts a good while.

Short story, the supplier has gone out of business sometime in the last year. I've tried to find them. No luck.

Are they only rented and not sold? Can this bottle be exchanged or refilled? Is ownership proof required as O/A bottles were a few years ago?

I know I could ask a new supplier but I want a little knowledge before going there.

Reply to
Andy Asberry
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Reply to
Waynemak

I just bought three "K" Cylinders that I normally rented. They need to be re-named K-Y Cylinders... That one hurt. At least I have all three gasses and no monthly bills anymore. TCO pays off in 17 months. (I tossed in the cost of the new helmet too just to f*ck up the math for the IRS)

Rob

Fraser Competition Engines Chicago, IL.

Reply to
RDF

Can't say for sure. Certain sizes are usually owner tanks and that generally seems to be anything 125 CF or less but I doubt that applies everywhere or with every company.

I bought O/A bottles a few years ago at an auction. IIRC the label on them was Sunox and they no longer exist. But they were bought out by Holox (who has since been bought out!) so Holox traded them out with no trouble. They charged me a testing fee for the first one because it was out of date but they didn't even ask about the 2nd one when I traded it in later.

Later on I needed a C25 (AR/CO2) bottle for MIG so I bought it from them because I'd dealt with them before... but I never really liked dealing with them.

Generally one company won't take a bottle you purchased from another company so I was stuck with them for a couple of years.

Then I found out that Tractor Supply carries O2, Acet and C25 and they'll take any other company's bottle on trade as long as you sign a form declaring that you own it. I assume it also has to be one of the sizes they carry. I've since traded the O2 and C25 bottles with them and haven't had any problems. In fact, the last time I traded each one in I decided to trade up to the next size, 125 CF which is the largest they carry.

They've been considerably cheaper and easier to deal with than Holox and I'm told that they now have it in all of their stores so if there's one in your area that's probably your best choice.

Northern Tool & Equipment also carries the same brand of gas in some of their stores but apparently not all of them so you can try them if they're closer. They're more expensive than Tractor Supply though.

Best Regards, Keith Marshall snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com

"I'm not grown up enough to be so old!"

Reply to
Keith Marshall

I went through it this year with a 275 cu ft O2 bottle and a 118 cu ft Acetylene tank. Similar situation, the company was out of biz a long time ago and I hadn't even kept re-fill receipts (any more than I keep gas station receipts, I don't have to prove that I own the gas tank in my car). Airgas was happy to "adopt me" as a customer and just cycled them in. As explained to me they all go though an inspection before re-fill, THOSE tanks will be sent for hydro and (if they pass) some re-marking to make them part of Airgas's stock. I was reminded to save my fill receipts to show next time I go in for a swap.

Reply to
RegB

I just keep a photocopy of the sales receipt in a "Packing slip" stick-on for a box right on the cylinder. Zero hassles for as many cylinders as I have now. It was a simple thing a kid suggested.... Works pretty friggin well too..

Rob

Reply to
RDF

That would only work well if they filled your owner tank. These days it seems that they always swap for a filled tank which is a lot faster than waiting several days for yours to be filled. So you own a tank, but not necessarily a particular one. This also lets you avoid hydro test costs since you get a "new" tank each time.

I just have a set of three ring binders that I keep all the various receipts, owners manuals and whatnot for my various tools and equipment in. For items that aren't three hole friendly I just put them in the clear page protector inserts. Works pretty well for being able to find things when I need them.

Pete C.

Reply to
Pete C.

Maybe I'm getting off the picture here but they always have swapped out my

80cf's that I owned on the spot (same vendor) The K cylinders I assume will get the same treatment. Stop in, drop off the empty, scan in the old, scan in the new off I go.. The only tanks I have to wait on are the large nitrous oxide cylinders I rent for "mother bottles" for a cryogenic refill station for my 10 and 15 lb cylinders for cars. (only as they are special order from Mittler). I don't think I ever had the same tank twice really. I never had to drop it off and pick it up days later it was always in-and-out.

Rob

Fraser Competition Engines Chicago, IL.

Reply to
RDF

That's rather what I was getting at re: your comment about packing slip pouched on the cylinders. Unless you peel and restick them on every swap which seems like quite a pain.

Pete C.

Reply to
Pete C.

Pete, You sort of have to know me, I have to organizational skills of a tornado and If I don't keep stuff together and simple it gets buried under my desk never to see the light of day again. I got a box of those "packing slip enclosed" things dirt cheap for like 5000 for 20 bucks. because even though they have the bar-code readers the shop jobbers have 90% of the time asked me for paperwork to substantiate ownership besides a beep on the system they implement. Yes, it is rather counter-intuitive and boggles my mind but I'm just a simple guy with thousands of the little label holders keeping my shop well sorted vs. my desk and a destiny of not being able to track stuff like dyno papers, receipt copies, etc. I do file originals in a fire proof file cabinet as part of my insurance obligations. Given the chaos in my life a little sticky thing for critical data or where to retrieve it on the database is invaluable to a small time shop with one guy and a constant influx of stuff. The cylinders are just an example of the "K.I.S.S." (Keep it simple stupid) teachings. I do see your point but I am far from being that organized. My tank guys only hassle me when a "newbie" is on the job, once we get to know eachother most of the guys still ask for the paper copies (?) Mind bending logic isn't it.

All the best,

Rob

Fraser Competiti>>

Reply to
RDF

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