Free US Divers tank junk?

[kammel78]

Hi all,

A friend of a friend has what he says is an old US Divers AL72 tank with a 1980 first hydro date that he's offering to give me for free. My understanding from reading the sticky is that more than likely it's the "bad" aluminum and my LDS probably won't fill it. Am I correct? I just wanted to double check before I passed on his offer since I'm new to diving.

 

[diversteve]

It's a wind chime if you cut the bottom off. Or is it the top - I forget...

If it's on the list, don't even bother.

If you run across an old steel, they're generally serviceable/usable. As long as they're not all rusted out inside.

 

[Bob DBF]

My rule is to take anything. It may or may not be what he says it is, you can look up the tank markings and find out what it is and if it is not the "bad" alloy then find out if your LDS will fill it. If it is no good or won't be filled, keep the valve and sell it to a scrap dealer, your ahead however it comes out. Sometimes what one thinks is an AL tank is actually steel, in which case you made out if it passes viz and hydro.



Bob
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I swear its not hoarding dear, I'm just keeping an adequate stock of equipment and parts. It's life support, you know.

 

[JohnnyC]

I wouldn't pass up a free tank, but I wouldn't dive it, I'd turn it into something fun, and office trash can or something.

 

[diversteve]

Scuba Tank Lamp | Scuba Decor

 

[runsongas]

turn it into a grill imo

 

[Scared Silly]

Accept the cylinder then take it to your locate shop and talk with them about their policy about such cylinders. If a no go, recycle it, buy a 6 pack of good beer, and share it with your friend.

 

[kwinter]

I suspect the tank is steel rather than aluminum, but that's easy to check from the markings. If it is aluminum, you can check the list to see if it is 6351 alloy (bad). But even if it is, it is worth some money at a scrap yard.