Revisiting an old topic: Welding O2?

[rjack321]

Sarge,
Welding O2 hasn't changed since 2007. And there are no reported illnesses or deaths because of it. As you found out the gas companies will make up rules just to be pinheads. The big chains like praxair and sometimes the smaller vendors as well.

Do this:
Get oxyhacker's handbook.
Read it.
Go in and buy O2, welding is fine but aviators avoids the miniscule risk of something like acetylene being in the tank (which you can easily smell).
Do not give them any more information than necessary to avoid creation of more made up rules.
Although O2 has a special valve fitting (unlike He) Analyze your gas every time
Once you have been a customer for awhile and proven that you are not an idiot by bringing their tanks back etc you may want to discuss what you are doing with the gas. Until then do not volunteer information. You are an individual working in your garage. More than that is none of their business.

 

[gxsr_sarge]

Gilldiver and pescador775, I appreciate your detailed responses.

PS: Pesky, in addition, thanks for the handy transfill/tank equalization formula that I found in an old thread. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/2624137-post29.html

 

[gxsr_sarge]

Sarge,
Do this:
Get oxyhacker's handbook.
Read it.
Go in and buy O2, welding is fine but aviators avoids the miniscule risk of something like acetylene being in the tank (which you can easily smell).
Do not give them any more information than necessary to avoid creation of more made up rules.
Although O2 has a special valve fitting (unlike He) Analyze your gas every time
Once you have been a customer for awhile and proven that you are not an idiot by bringing their tanks back etc you may want to discuss what you are doing with the gas. Until then do not volunteer information. You are an individual working in your garage. More than that is none of their business.

Great advice. In fact, I've downloaded and will read a bunch of articles on oxyacetylene welding to get my "lingo" up on the subject in case I get "quizzed". I've used an arc-welder but never this stuff. I just think they don't want to hear that it's for "human consumption".

 

[dannobee]

A couple of tips. See if you can purchase tank(s) instead of leasing. That will save money if the tanks are just sitting.

Tell them you're using it for some metal art projects if they ask. Those typically use a lot of oxygen and not so much acetylene.

When you start to need helium, tell them you've stepped up and bought a heliarc welding machine and your regulator is "set up" for helium. Tell them you'd like to know the difference between helium and "gold gas" for TIG/MIG welding.

Don't offer any more info than that.

It all comes from the same cryogenic tank anyway (fractional distillation process).

You'll be bringing back the tanks with more oxygen than I care to, so keep an eye out for a decent used compressor, then use a nitrox stick.

You're starting down a slippery slope and will soon have more tanks and mixing stuff than your local dive shop.

Good luck!

 

[rigdiver]

Isn't there a law in Florida where any diver can legally buy Oxygen?
I talked with Praxair @ DEMA and was told they would sell gas if you are a certified blender and show them that you keep records/logs. Praxair has a "Diver Grade" Oxygen.

 

[gxsr_sarge]

Isn't there a law in Florida where any diver can legally buy Oxygen?
I talked with Praxair @ DEMA and was told they would sell gas if you are a certified blender and show them that you keep records/logs. Praxair has a "Diver Grade" Oxygen.

In fact, yesterday I gave Praxair a little pushback on their decision asking them to identify a "suit" at corporate that could give me a good reason NOT to sell gas to a certified blender/user. (I couldn't help it, I'm a lawyer).

I think may have changed their minds as I got a price quote this AM for O2 and He along with a message that my account is being set up....

Nonetheless, based on all of the responses thus far, my comfort level with welding O2 is as equally as "pure" - 99.95%.

Thanks.

 

[Peter_C]

I use welding grade from Praxair. Somehow Dannobee gets gas cheaper than I do and I have a commercial account at Praxair with the same discount as a welding shop. I purchased one of my welders and my plasma cutter at Praxair for less then I could find them anywhere else including online.

One of the best ones I have heard for aviator grade is to tell them you are building a space capsule

 

[cool_hardware52]

One of the best ones I have heard for aviator grade is to tell them you are building a space capsule

I have to imagine that some people would have no trouble convincing the average welding supply sales clerk that they are in desperate need of a space capsule of their very own.


Tobin

 

[Peter_C]

I have to imagine that some people would have no trouble convincing the average welding supply sales clerk that they are in desperate need of a space capsule of their very own.


Tobin

Yeah, but who are they to judge stupid? They sold someone enough helium to fill balloons and go for a ride in a lawn chair The crazier the notion the more likely they will believe it.

 

[Thalassamania]

Interesting how they'll sell you breathing media for space travel, or for the life support system in a deep submersible (I've bought for that, not a problem) but not for a little underwater EVA.