Buying a used co2 tank.. Questions..

[Schaefer4152]

I have some questions, I posted a want add on craigs for a co2 tank and got a reply from this chick wanting this 20lbr for $35. Is that a good deal? Is it Aluminum like she said? Is their a way to tell if it's owned or leased because she has no clue.. THANKS FOR THE HELP!!

 

[chefmike]

great deal. call the local welding shop and ask if they swap tanks. I walk in with an empty and walk out with a different tank, full, for $15. My first tank was out of date for pressure test (stamped in the metal). They did not care. They just swap them. I have had pepsi tanks, coke tanks, and a blue tank like above. All steel. They charge more to fill your tank (at least for beer gas, as they send it in on a 5lb).

 

[Schaefer4152]

Thanks mike for the reply.. whe chick must not know much because I told her id give her $25 for it and she replyed that if she didn't get $35 for it, she'd scrap the Aluminum.. I never saw a co2 aluminum tanks painted.. What do you think it's worth?

 

[JuanMoore]

How much it's worth partly depends on how current the hydro cert is. Either way, $35 is a good deal. If it was leased, there would be some obvious markings on there stating who it belongs to. A lot of the aluminum tanks get painted, and the handles on that one are a giveaway that it is in fact aluminum like she claims it is. Sometimes when swapping at a welding shop they don't think to check the hydro date, or don't care that it's past due, but I'd still plan on spending an extra $15-$25 when swapping/filling if it does turn out to be past due.

 

[SickTransitMundus]

Here's how to read the tank code, including the hydro test date.

http://www.catalinacylinders.com/markco2.html

My CO2 guys don't give a honk about "Property of XYZ, do not refill under penalty of law" stickers, and they will just swap out test-overdue tanks with freshly tested ones. I go to a dedicated beverage tank distributor that goes through hundreds - if not thousands - of tanks a week. I bet they just retest the swapped tank, buff off the legal threat sticker, and sell it to someone else. Welding shops may feel differently about these issues.

 

[chefmike]

I would totally pay $35 for a second 20lb tank, not to mention a first.

buy it and swap it.

sells new for $80-100.

 

[shelly_belly]

How much it's worth partly depends on how current the hydro cert is. Either way, $35 is a good deal. If it was leased, there would be some obvious markings on there stating who it belongs to. A lot of the aluminum tanks get painted, and the handles on that one are a giveaway that it is in fact aluminum like she claims it is. Sometimes when swapping at a welding shop they don't think to check the hydro date, or don't care that it's past due, but I'd still plan on spending an extra $15-$25 when swapping/filling if it does turn out to be past due.

What's the deal with the handle? I have the same handles on my steel tanks.

 

[JuanMoore]

Hmmm... The only tanks I've ever seen with that exact handle have been aluminum, which led me to think they were exclusive to aluminum tanks. Apparently I was mistaken.

 

[SickTransitMundus]

I also have the same handle on my steel 20 pounder. In any case, this is a steal at $35.

 

[bucfanmike]

is chilton wi anywhere near duluth? If so I'd say its a bad deal and oh, btw, give me her number so I can go and save you from buying it. Jump on it, good deal.