Faber HP 100 HDG for $363 w/free shipping... TGTBT?

[Litefoot]

Just curious as to why a brand new tank would even require a VIP sticker? Seems like any tank should not need it's first VIP sticker until it's a year older than it's "born on" stamped hydro date.

Seems strange to me too. BTW, the “born on” date is 02/23.

 

[Jersey1971]

Seems strange to me too. BTW, the “born on” date is 02/23.

I think the "rule" is that any tank that has been emptied needs to be VIP'ed before being used again. I suppose because a piece of packing foam or something might have made its way into the empty cylinder. It seems like a pretty remote risk.

 

[MannyDib2]

While I really want to support my LDS, I was checking out the "galvanized" tank and it sure looks like the painted one sitting next to it. Maybe its galvanized underneath the paint?

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I think the "rule" is that any tank that has been emptied needs to be VIP'ed before being used again. I suppose because a piece of packing foam or something might have made its way into the empty cylinder. It seems like a pretty remote risk.

I empty my 13 or 19cf pony bottle every time I travel and never get a new VIP. If a shop doesn't like to see an empty tank then just trans-fill a few hundred PSI and take it in. My point is that if the "born on hydro date" of a brand new tank is within a year, I can't see why it would even need a VIP sticker .

 

[MannyDib2]

While I really want to support my LDS, I was checking out the "galvanized" tank and it sure looks like the painted one sitting next to it. Maybe its galvanized underneath the paint?

I read on here that Faber paints over "cold galvanized", so I guess they have the same finished just labeled differently

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I read on here that Faber paints over "cold galvanized", so I guess they have the same finished just labeled differently

Not really. Hot Dip Galvanization is a complete process and is not painted over. Cold galvanization is a different process that is not nearly as protective.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

While I really want to support my LDS, I was checking out the "galvanized" tank and it sure looks like the painted one sitting next to it. Maybe it’s galvanized underneath the paint?

I believe the one on the left is incorrectly labeled. Faber HDG tanks do NOT look like that!

This is what Faber HDG tanks should look like.

 

[MannyDib2]

I believe the one on the left is incorrectly labeled. Faber HDG tanks do NOT look like that!

This is what Faber HDG tanks should look like.

View attachment 798600

agreed. I have 4 HDG tanks (PST & Worthingtons). The ones at the dive shop are definitely painted, just one said "galvanized" while the other didn't. Then I read somewhere that Faber painted tanks are paint over cold galvanizing, so I figured that's why they labeled them as galvanized. They are galvanized, just not hot-dip galvanized.

At any rate, I'm left wondering if I should spend an extra $50 or so per tank for HDG or buy the ones from scuba.com and face LDS consternation, lol

 

[Divin'Papaw]

agreed. I have 4 HDG tanks (PST & Worthingtons). The ones at the dive shop are definitely painted, just one said "galvanized" while the other didn't. Then I read somewhere that Faber painted tanks are paint over cold galvanizing, so I figured that's why they labeled them as galvanized. They are galvanized, just not hot-dip galvanized.

At any rate, I'm left wondering if I should spend an extra $50 or so per tank for HDG or buy the ones from scuba.com and face LDS consternation, lol

LDS consternation? I bought 2 Faber HDG back in May and then took them to one of the dive shops I use for a VIP. No issues whatsoever. Shops in FL deal with tanks bought from all over the place. Lots of them!! I've never run into a FL shop giving me grief for not buying a tank from them. I'm paying them for a service ... the VIP and a fill. They perform the service and are glad for the business and hope I return. That is my experience. In other less-busy areas (like Indiana where I moved from), yes, shops could get moody if you wanted tank service done on tanks you'd bought online. I've never run into that in FL. Just my 2 cents.

Personally, I have zero interest in a steel tank that is not HDG. The HDG finish is that much better.

 

[Bob DBF]

Just curious as to why a brand new tank would even require a VIP sticker? Seems like any tank should not need it's first VIP sticker until it's a year older than it's "born on" stamped hydro date.

That's how it was done back when I first started dealing with VIPs. For the first year after the stamped hydro date no sticker was needed, because a DOT visual is done at each hydro. I don't remember the date when the practice was changed, but I remember being annoyed.