$200 for used 120 doubles. Worth the risk?

[mrscotch]

Hi,

Someone in my area is selling a pair of steel 120 tanks assembled with bands and manifold for $200 (see the attached photo). They need a hydro and visual. It seems very cheap, but I've already been burned this year on a used drysuit, so I'm nervous about taking a chance on these. What do you guys think?

thanks

 

[Scared Silly]

They are old HP3500 PST 120s - I would offer the $200 with a guarantee of them passing hydro (and make sure the hydro shop does the prestress hydro).

 

[ktomlinson]

Can you take them apart and look under the tank boot, the bands, and inside? If there isn't obvious corrosion I would gamble with them myself.

 

[JEC11718]

well did you buy em? I can see your he-man muscles from here!! must weigh crazy!

 

[Garth]

I dive pst hp120's and I'm not a big guy at all. No problems here...

 

[mrscotch]

I called the guy to ask about getting them test first, but I never got a response. I was wondering if someone lurking here figured out where I saw them and swooped in and bought them

 

[Paintballpsyco2369]

Those are AWESOME tanks. I dive a set of my buddys HP 120 tanks and LOVE them. Looking at buying a set right now of HP 100's from a local guy. If those were closer though, and you were not getting them, I would snag them for sure assuming the guy would let me look inside the tanks. Definitely check the inside bare minimum, and check to see if the manifold is tweaked or not. Best of luck with them, and enjoy!

Paint

 

[akdeepdiver]

Even if they fail the test, You could sell the manifold for around $100 and the bands for $50 or more so you would not be loosing much.

 

[drbill]

I would condition the sale on them passing hydro, but at that price would probably structure it so you included the cost of the two hydros in the purchase price. If they fail hydro, you're only out the cost of the hydros. If they pass you still got quite a deal.

Personally I've had issues with PST HP120s. I've had two fail over the years and only buy neutral buoyancy Al now. I'm not sure I can really blame the tanks though as the first one failed due to overexpansion (most likely from hot fills on land) and the second from serious rust (undoubtedly due to wet fills on board dive boats).

 

[ams511]

Did PST ever renew the DOT permit number? I am seeing a lot of PST tanks showing up on Craigslist.