Value of steel 72's?

[DA Aquamaster]

A lot of it depends on the tank. If it has a newer K valve or better yet a DIN/K valve it adds value. A galavanized finish is also worth more than a painted finish - although some steel 72's have a soft sort of dip coat finish over a galavanized finish. That can be problematic as if it is not intact it needs to be stripped and that can be a lot of work. Unless the test facilities used a heated punch, the hydro test marks also damage the finish - but those exposed marks also can tell you if it is galvanized or not underneath. If the marks are rusty, it is most likely not galvanized.

With a nice valve, a galvanized finish and a fresh VIP and hydro, it could bring $100 to even $125 (minus shipping costs). With an older J valve and a painted finish $50 would be a good price.

Steel 72's are much better tanks than people give them credit for and I'd actually pay more for a good used steel 72 than I would for a used AL 80.

 

[mfalco]

I've seen them with fresh Hydro and Vis at dive shops for $100.

I have a painted one with a J valve that I got for free when it was 10 years out of hydro. It is a great tank for me to use when I'm diving with an air hog.

I know several women that prefer the old steel 72s because they use less air than the men they dive with, and they are small tanks with good bouyancy characteristics

 

[Beachlover]

Thanks to everyone who posted a reply to my question, I appreciate it.

 

[mikeguerrero]

My dive buddy just picked up two 72 steel's last night from craigslist. He got each for $60 bucks; $120 for both. Both have a hydro of 6/06 and vis 8/07. According to the owner he said that when he had them last hydro'ed the inside was very clean and the tanks have always had air...

My buddy got them because he was looking for a deal and was tired of renting out the Faber 100's.

A friend of our inherited a pair of 72's and he painted them black and set them up as doubles. They hold a lot of air if you can get the plus fill on some of them. It depends on the last hydro if they will fill to the plus.

We are going to be diving them in two weeks in Monterey. I'm happy he got them for that amount since he was going to get alumimum 80's for much higher price and the bouyancy is much better withthe 72's.