Thread: Gas Cylinder Question

It depends what brand/supplier the bottle is. I've never heard of anyone owning a a CIG/BOC cylinder outright, I've asked on a number of occasions during the 30+ years I've been renting my 3 cylinders (oxy/acetylene & argoshield).

There was another company around some time ago who would sell you a cylinder outright but when I did the numbers, taking into account the life-span of the cylinder and testing etc, it was about the same cost over a 10 year peiod as renting the cylinders from CIG/BOC.

Rgds - Gavin

If the bottle is owned outright, it should have come with some paperwork to prove this, otherwise the gas company that supplied it in the first place will reclaim it when you go to exchange or get it refilled. More than likely that the guy who had it, is pulling your leg and was using a friends account to avoid paying rental.

Normally bottles that are owned are refilled at your expense as they have to be checked before they are refilled, so it's not just a matter of dropping in and wait while they exchange or refill it, more like a week before you get it back.

Thanks for the replies.

I haven't actually collected the welder yet, but I'll ask for paperwork for the cylinder (I know he has paperwork for the welder, but not sure about cylinder).

The full gas bottle was basically a bonus - it will give me something to get started with and to practice with. I'm happy to eventually rent a bottle, so I don't really mind if the bottle gets reclaimed. I just thought it sounded strange that he owned the bottle.

Jonty

The question of privately owned culinders has come up previously. I have owned a pair of G size oxy & acetylene cylinders, and an E size acetylene cylinder since the 1960's, when I bought them new from a Sydney fire extinguisher company which had previously biught a quantity of them at a Melbourne auction. They were part of a shipment of cylinders from USA which a Melbourne based company tried to sell here in Oz. The venture apparently failed. I bought them with a money-back warranty if I could not get them filled. I was told there are about fifty sets of these cylinders around the country. There are also ex RAAF cylinders from Defence Dept auctions.

My first filling attempt was CIG, who were as unhelpful as possible. Next try Liquid Air Aust (now Air Liquide) who provided a new oxygen valve, re-threaded acetylene valve to BSP, and filled the cylinders, no drama. They have continued to refill and test the cylinders as required up to several years ago. As I am running short of oxy, I will soon find out if the service is still available. The company refills gas cylinders for both the military and visiting ships as part of their business (or at least they did)

Hope this helps,
Chas.