[EA]

Looking to get some argon for tig welding. I called the 3 places google pulled up and they want almost $100 to fill up a medium tank. That's HIGH. Is there any other places that google might not pull up?

Praxair, airgas, and djb are what google pulls up.

[ScoopLV]

I wish I knew an answer. I go through a great deal of CO2, and other than the hydroponics stores, airgas is the least expensive. But hydroponics stores don't deal in argon.

When you've taught yourself welding, want to make a barbecue smoker?

[EA]

According to the welding forums the most it should be is 50 to refill a large cylinder. 100 for a rather small one is insane.

And yes, I'd love to make a smoker when I get enough practice in.

[Raiderman]

Checking now with my friend who is a welder for Count's.

[Raiderman]

They get theirs from airgas. I'm assuming it's like gas prices. You're going to pay more here due to us being on an "island". On a side note, he does have a big bottle of helium he'll sell ya

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

They get theirs from airgas. I'm assuming it's like gas prices. You're going to pay more here due to us being on an "island". On a side note, he does have a big bottle of helium he'll sell ya

I think it has more to do with us being a captive market. What are people going to do? Drive to Victorville?

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

I think it has more to do with us being a captive market. What are people going to do? Drive to Victorville?

That is what I meant.

[EA]

I can only use a low helium mix like 80 20 and only for stainless steel.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Raiderman

That is what I meant.

I agree. There is no reason we are charged more for such things other than they can. But having lived on an island, I'm used to shocking costs for everything because transportation was such a real problem. (There was still plenty of gouging going on. But much of the markup was legitimate.)

Not so, here. The trucks are rolling through Las Vegas anyway.

[EA]

I ended up going to praxair. It was a lot cheaper than I was quoted. On the phone, they told me 300 for a tank and 85~ to fill it. So, I bought a small harbor freight tank and took it to get filled. It was a 20 cu ft tank. He asked me how much I paid for it. I told him 90. He laughed and pulled out a 55 cu ft tank and said he'd sell me that tank for 110 filled. I said sold. Took the other tank back. Apparently, the people on the phone (call center) don't know what they are talking about.
I asked how much a refill of the 55 tank would be and he said 35 bucks. That's so much better than 80+.
I also bought some tig filler rod, steel and aluminum and he gave me a student discount on it. Ended up getting both for less than the cost of one on Amazon.