Need info for an old LP 72 tank

[Luis H]

Luis, you are teasing me and that is just down right wrong. Are you sure you cant let two of your 14 go for me. They dont even have to match as I am not interested in doubling them at all.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate all who have helped here. Maybe I will post in the classified section that I want to buy 2 old LP 72 tanks. Maybe I will have more luck. At least now I know what I am looking for.

I like teasing a girl in pink tennis shoes.

I actually end up using all of my tanks and would not hesitate to even add more galvanized steel 72 if I found them at the right price. Also the shipping from Maine would not make it worth it anyways, especially since you will be able to find them locally at a good price.

As Gilldiver mentioned, check with your LDS, dive clubs, Craig's list, etc.

Steel 72 were made for about 3 decades and there are lots of them out there. They are still probably the most common steel tank ever made. Only the aluminum 80 has been made in larger quantities.

In some parts of the country Steel 72 are being retired because of their age, but this is due to ignorance or misguided profit incentive. As long as these tanks are not condemned with permanent markings, they are probably fine.

Some divers are also choosing tanks with larges gas capacity which is very reasonable for some.

In any case there are plenty of sources for steel 72, you just have to look.

Good luck

 

[halocline]

I recently received an email from NESS about them selling some old tanks, and I believe there were a few LP72s in their inventory. That's not going to be the cheapest way to getting them, but they would come with hydro and vis current.

 

[luckydays]

I recently received an email from NESS about them selling some old tanks, and I believe there were a few LP72s in their inventory. That's not going to be the cheapest way to getting them, but they would come with hydro and vis current.

I am not sure what or where NESS is but I am interested in the details to at least know what the deal is about. Shipping would of course concern me but for the right price, I would be willing to consider just about anything.

As for my searching, I have not found anything yet, but winter is coming so I have plenty of time until I would want to have a tank (or two) in my garage and ready to dive.

 

[zaberman1]

Some shops won't fill norris tanks...they didn't renew their DOT permit

 

[Luis H]

Some shops won't fill norris tanks...they didn't renew their DOT permit

The tanks we are talking about are steel 72... they are all DOT-3AA, they are not special permit or exception tanks.
The DOT-3AA is a standard DOT specification that does not require any renewal. This specification is for Chrome-molybdenum seamless tanks. The material, construction and design are all covered in CFR49 (Code of Federal Regulations)

No one could really tell any difference between a Norris steel 72 and a PST unless they happen to see a stamp. But again it doesn't matter they are both 3AA.

 

[halocline]

I am not sure what or where NESS is but I am interested in the details to at least know what the deal is about.

North east scuba supply
North East Scuba Supply

 

[TheScubaBOB]

The LP 72 was comfortable. As soon as I got to depth I was the most streamlined I have ever been and I felt at ease. I did not have to tweek my gear all that much and I just liked the feel for it. My trim was perfect for the entire dive and my buoyancy was easy to maintain.

<...>

The LP tank made my buoyancy consistent throughout the dive and I was able to do my safety stop at 15 feet with very little movement on my part. I hovered with no fuss and was happy about it. Since I doubt I became radically enlightened from one dive to the next, and the only change was the different tank, I would like to have at least on LP72 in my arsenal of dive gear.

I'm glad to see you're coming over to the LP side...

I followed you on the Dry Suit thing and now you follow me on the LP Tank thing, maybe I can still get you to join us for Ice Diving this winter

The stability is what I like about my lumbering LP 120s. I've had the HP 120 and sure it's lighter but I just like the LP 120 better. I am thinking of hunting down a HP 140/150 though as it would be similar in size to the LP 120 but provide more air. I wonder if I can find one to rent before I commit to purchasing?

BTW, I'll be looking at a older steel tank this evening. If it's a LP 72 I'll let you know (unless I decide to get it for my wife)...

 

[zaberman1]

The tanks we are talking about are steel 72... they are all DOT-3AA, they are not special permit or exception tanks.
The DOT-3AA is a standard DOT specification that does not require any renewal. This specification is for Chrome-molybdenum seamless tanks. The material, construction and design are all covered in CFR49 (Code of Federal Regulations)

No one could really tell any difference between a Norris steel 72 and a PST unless they happen to see a stamp. But again it doesn't matter they are both 3AA.

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[rjack321]

As stated, steel 72s are pretty much all the same buoyancy and weight

Avoid any with vinyl coatings on the outside. They are not really worth refurbishing unless your time is going for about $2/hr.

Avoid any with epoxy liners, again its a pain to remove (usually by bead blasting) and doubles the cost vs. just getting an unlined one in the first place.

Avoid any with 1/2" pipe thread post valves. If you don't know what this is leave these for more experienced afficianadoes and get ones with the current standard 3/4" straight thread valves.

 

[james croft]

Yeah, all the cool kids dive 72's. I have 9 or 10 of them and they are great tanks for diving.
They are also found everywhere and you can get a deal on them. Many you find will need to be hydroed but they should pass OK as long as they have not gotten water inside. if you find one with air in it it should be a pretty good risk. If you cannot get a peek inside the tank a pretty good indicator on how good of shape the tank is in is to pick one up by the valve and hit the side of the cylinder with a hard object. If it has a nice bell like tone it is probably not in bad shape. If it is a dull tone it may have serious rust or water inside. My LDS gave me 4 nice ones a few months back. They had 3/4" valves and were good tanks. They wanted to get rid of them for some reason so I did them a big favor and took them off their hands.