Tractor Supply gas

[SteveA]

Does TS exchange 75/25 mix cylinders at their stores? Was thinking purchasing a #2 and exchanging them there if they maintain a supply of full tanks since a TS store is only a few miles from home. Not sure what the local welding supply houses get for tank rentals etc. since I am new to this hobby and unsure which direction I wish to go.

[Ohio Mike]

In general yes, however you should check your local retail location to be sure as not all stores stock all sizes. That said I'd expect them to have #2 C25 available. Some sizes and more exotic gases like pure argon are special order.

I'd also talk with the folks at the store just to see how good they are to work with. Locally here the staff at the store I use has been great. The exchange program itself is Thoroughbred Industrial Cylinder Exchange (program details can be found here http://www.gaspony.com/ ) I suggest you read up. Personally I went with TSC because it's less that 10 miles away and I can swap 7 days a week including evenings.

[SteveA]

Mike,

Thanks for the quick reply. According to the gaspony.com website, my local TS store is an exchange site. I will just have to "pony up" (no pun intended) for a new cylinder.

[migwelder05]

i think they only exchange gas pony tanks and if you get e of there tank you have to get another one of there pony tanks. i dont know it just seems to me there very picky

[platypus20]

When I looked into it, you had to buy their tanks first, then they would only exchange the tanks you had bought from them. They had oxygen, acetylene and 75/25 in stock in different sizes, pure argon was 4-7 days away depending on when it was ordered and when that store got its shipments. Any other gas that you might need was unavailable, so I would still have to deal with the LWS, for the nitrogen, tri-mix gas, the 98% argon/2% hydrogen and the 75% helium/25% argon, I use. Which is all too bad, 7 day a week access looked real good to me, before the details got in the way.

jack

[Sberry]

They have exchange program with almost any bottle you own, there is a 20$ fee for it and you are in. You can buy their bottles also. Unless you need the size a 2 if I am not mistaken is very small, bout like a baby fart, get as big as you can, way more economical.

[taylorkh]

When I purchased my HH180 a couple years back (from TSC) I then purchased a #2 cylinder of gas from TSC as well. As I was taking a couple of welding courses at the local CC and using their gas it took me about a year to go through the 40 CF #2 from TSC. I had purchased from TSC in spite of the higher cost because:

1 - they were close by and I frequently shop near the TSC store
2 - they are open 7 days a week
3 - the nearest LWS is 20 miles and 20 stoplights or 30 miles and fewer stoplights
4 - I was told I could trade up to a larger cylinder if I wanted

So, when I had finally squeezed all I could out of the cylinder I called to see if they had a #4 in stock.

No! Maybe next week.

The next week. No! Don't know when.

Called Gas Pony. They have one driver to cover North and South Carolina! Should be there next week.

Next week - driver stuck in an ice storm in the NC mountains.

Finally he is supposed to be there the next day according to Gas Pony (more than 3 weeks after I decided I needed to swap my cylinder).

Drove to TSC with my empty cylinder and directions to the LWS in Goldsboro just in case. I planned to have a full cylinder that day one way or another.

As I pulled up the Gas Pony truck was unloading. Great timing! So I carried my tank into the store, went to the register and told them I wanted to upgrade to a #4. No!

WTF? Let me speak to the manager. "I am the manager" says the fellow at the register. I explained that I was told I could upgrade the cylinder when I originally purchased it. "Can't do that...we got a memo."

So I chucked the cylinder back in the truck and headed to the LWS. Paid for a 125 CF cylinder, signed the paperwork and backed up to the dock. They had my cylinder loaded before I even got out of the truck. And if I want a replacement delivered they will add it to their normal weekly delivery route for a few dollars delivery charge.

Back to TSC... I wrote a letter to the President outlining the situation. Got a nice reply and they purchased the empty tank back from me. Seems they (and Gas Pony) were having a lot of trouble with "shrinkage". Could not keep track of who had what cylinders.

Having said all that... I think I will stick with a LWS for gas , Lowes for self shielding flux core wire and on-line for solid wire. TSC still gets my business for a lot of things. They are a good company just not competitive in some areas.

Ken

[Rocky D]

They have exchange program with almost any bottle you own, there is a 20$ fee for it and you are in. You can buy their bottles also. Unless you need the size a 2 if I am not mistaken is very small, bout like a baby fart, get as big as you can, way more economical.
Hahahaha you learnin about baby gas, aren't ya, Cary...:D

[Brianstick]

At my lws when you go to pick up your cylinder off the loading dock, they won't help you put it in your truck because of insurance reasons. You are on your own, and man are those cylinders heavy when they're full. The dock is about 18 inches higher than my truck.

[engnerdan]

I lucked out and traded up my #2 for a #3 from gas pony before the "memo", I have not had a complaint about the gas pony program other then my local Northerntool could not figure out how to order 100% argon so I ended up back at the LWS which worked out for the best in the end.

18" difference is not that bad, I have to load a "T" cylinder of argon (300+ cu ft) 270lbs into the back of my jetta. Now that is a challenge.


SteveA-
I would shop around, call any and all of your LWS and ask then how much to buy a 40cu ft (#2) cylinder and ask them how much for a refill and compare it to the pony gas prices from TSC.


-Dan

[Ohio Mike]

At my lws when you go to pick up your cylinder off the loading dock, they won't help you put it in your truck because of insurance reasons. You are on your own, and man are those cylinders heavy when they're full. The dock is about 18 inches higher than my truck.

I find stuff like this hilarious because in most cases a good litigator will eat their lunch in court because you were on their property when the accident happened. Good grief, pay up your liability insurance and help the customer out. It's a novel approach called 'customer service'.

OK, I'll crawl under my rock again...

[Roger]

There have been major accidents when gas bottles were hauled inside car. Maybe fuel gas or O2 leaked and or HP bottles were not properly secured to prevent movement during normal driving let alone during accident. They are trying to reduce legal exposure to customer's stupidity. Local Airgas dealer told me they would not sell CO2 for filling paint ball gun tanks. Some teenager had accident filling his tank.

[Rocky D]

Ya mean accidents like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/RockyD/Welding%20Tricks/What%20not%20to%20do/Oxy-Ooopps1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/RockyD/Welding%20Tricks/What%20not%20to%20do/Oxy-Ooopps.jpg

[Ohio Mike]

Boy, I bet someone needed new shorts! :eek:

[engnerdan]

I hate hauling cylinders for that exact reason in that picture. I always secure mine so they can not move. When I haul my large t cylinder I strap it to my car with a strap around the neck and into the cap.

-Dan

[FormerTankSarge]

Rocky,

What happened in the picture besides the obvious?

[Rocky D]

Rocky,

What happened in the picture besides the obvious?

I got this from a DOD safety website...I don't even remember where, and I'm not certain this happened in the US...They had tons of SNAFU's on that site that were painfully hilarious...and left you pondering.."What were they THINKING?" :D

Here's another one of my favorites:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/RockyD/Welding%20Tricks/What%20not%20to%20do/Stu-pid.jpg

[aametalmaster]

Also try Home Depot for gas. My store has 3 nice display cabinets full of different gasses in all sizes of cylinders...Bob

[prowess]

I prefer to support my LWS.

That being said, a wise welding instructor told me a few years ago...
Make friends wih your Tractor Supply store. They are open on Saturday and Sunday if you need them for welding supplies, or bottles in an emergency.

[crawler]

I prefer to support my LWS.

That being said, a wise welding instructor told me a few years ago...
Make friends wih your Tractor Supply store. They are open on Saturday and Sunday if you need them for welding supplies, or bottles in an emergency.

Not me. I had too many problems with my LWS when it came to buying gas from them. I can get gas 7 days a week at many home depots in the Dallas area. Better price and service and no arrogance to deal with.

Most tractor supplies will not have the welding supplies I need. I make sure I have plenty of spare parts available so this is a non issue.

Disclaimer: not affiliated with any vendor and I paid for all my stuff.

[ItsAdam1]

well i just picked up a #4 cylinder from my local TSC. I choose them b/c northern tool also carries Gas Pony & they aare a bit closer that the TSC......
I just didn't go to northern b/c I was in the area where TSC was when I picked up the welder.

[willness33]

Bumping for a story.

Last weekend I ran out of C25. No biggie, run to the LWS where I got my tank. Closed! I called Tractor Supply (which happens to be 15 minutes closer to my house) and they weren't quite sure of the "ownership" situation on my tank. I explained to them that I owned my tank. I bought a 40 cuft tank when I got away from flux core several years for the tune of $120, plus the gas from the LWS. I normally take my tanks back there and they swap them out. Well, Tractor Supply was still unsure but they wanted to see my tank anyways. I drove there and they checked it out. They saw the sticker on my tank and sure enough, it had the name of my LWS and the contents. They tried to explain that it couldn't be an owned tank because it had the name of the LWS on it. I asked them to let me see one of their #2 tanks. They brought it out and looky there, a Gas Pony sticker. I looked at the person and said, "if I bought this tank right now, it'd be mine, right?" They of course said yes. "OK, even if the sticker is on it, it's still mine, right?" The answer was yes. I explained to them it was the same situation on my current tank. The lightbulbs went on! Ahhh. So, I asked if I could pay the $20 fee to exchange my tank for one of theirs. They said sure, what size do you want? Hmmmmm. #4? "No problem" was their answer. Long story short (not really), I walked out of there with a #4 tank of C25 for the $20 exchange fee and the cost of the gas alone which was around $45. I feel like I got a good deal.:D

[Goat]

What Willness33 did is exactly why my local TSC store stopped accepting non-ThroughBred tanks.

Apparently, one of TSC's largest losses is gasses, as was explained to me by the local TSC manager. Tanks getting changed for the wrong type, people trading in leased tanks and such. Free upgrades to larger tanks.

I found all of this out when I ran out of gas on a sunday night and tried to get a replacement cylinder.

[Larwyn]

My local TSC will simply ring up a "return" on the bottle you wish to upgrade and then sell you the size you want. Works out the same as upgrade and you end up getting more credit for the original bottle than you actually paid if there has been a price increase. I am also still holding on to one of the old pamphlet that states you can upgrade at any time just in case I run into a stubborn manager. TSC is still more trouble than it is worth to deal with when it comes to 100% argon, emplyees here do not know what it is and they never have it in stock.

[aametalmaster]

The lady at Home Depot told me almost the same thing. People trading something up for the wrong size and Praxair is pulling the racks. Too bad because they are open on Sunday...Bob

[Steve from Ohio]

I got this from a DOD safety website...I don't even remember where, and I'm not certain this happened in the US...They had tons of SNAFU's on that site that were painfully hilarious...and left you pondering.."What were they THINKING?" :D

Here's another one of my favorites:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/RockyD/Welding%20Tricks/What%20not%20to%20do/Stu-pid.jpgI kind of like this one.

While the plywood and 2X4s are fairly obvious, what you can't see is the back seat, which contains ------------------
10 bags of concrete @ 80 lbs. each!

They estimated the load weight at 3000 lbs. Both back tires exploded, the wheels bent and the rear shocks were driven through the floorboard.

[LittleJohnDeere]

I'm sitting here reading this and having kind of an outside looking in feeling.

#1 I'm blessed because I live in phoenix and its easy to get gas here and I get a student discount. I'm sorry for all of you who have to travel to get what you need and then don't get it. I know how you feel - farmer's son and lived in a rural area long enough.

#2 These freaking giant companies can't train their pothead employees how to distinguish owner's bottles, bottle sizes, and what 100% argon is. Gimme a break!

#3 They are willing to quit selling something that they can easily make money on - put the tank over there and the full one goes to the guy with the receipt.

#4 I've run into that arrogant welding shop guy. Put his a$$ in check when you ask him why he's perfecting the cylinder foot roll instead of burnin that wire. When you find a good shop, be good to them.

In my opinion, this is bad management. The companies have underpaid, lazy mid level managers. The upper managers don't know the products they sell.

I am also saddened because I have been in a Tractor Supply. They say they are coming to Arizona. They reminded me of the Yellow Fronts of my youth - new school jeans and shoes and camping trip supplies in the same place.

[epjohnso]

I've purchased tanks and gas from both the LWS and TSC. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
My first trip in into the LWS, the guy really seemed like a jerk, and didn't want to deal with a newbie welder. I was really put off by his attitude - seemed like since I was just a small hobbyist, it wasn't worth his time.
Went to the TSC, the clerk wasn't a welding expert, or knew much about gases, but knew the program and treated me like a customer. Got a #3(80 cft) cylinder of Ar75/CO25 - Cost about $230 - with a 25% discuss from TSC website.
Since have been back to the LWS, and the guy I worked with was real pleasant, and cared about what I needed and wanted. Ended up buying a new welder from the LWS. Bought my original at TSC. Ended up getting a #3 of AR100% from the LWS. Cost for the cylinder and gas was $205. The difference between the TSC is it's a "lifetime" exchange on the tank, while the LWS charges $75 after 5 years to renew. Of course, I wonder what that will be in 5 years???
The Sunday hours for the TSC is great, but the cost is slightly more, so I view it as paying for that convenience.

The moral of the story - customer service does make a big difference. Of course, my wife is now wondering why I have 2 cylinders sitting around for! Hard to explain the difference between 75% Ar & 100% Ar to someone who doesn't know the reason. Of course, I'm sure someone would argue I could weld mild steel fine with the 100% Ar, since I'm not really worried about penetration - I'm not building bridges or greater than 1/4'.

[32deucecoupe]

I have a couple Thoroughbred #1 ( Baby) Oxy / acet bottles from TSC I have been exchanging for years. If my local TSC, or a LWS ever asks me for a receipt of ownership for my bottles, I am screwed. I lost that years ago.

[SidecarFlip]

I hook a tow strap on the cap and drag it to the welding supply.......:D


Interestingly, my wife were in TSC (fondly known in this household as Tough s h i t t e Charlies) where everything is scratched, dented or broken.....:D last saturday. She was running up her 10% off cupon with wild bird seed and suet blocks plus some dog treats and I inquired about gas, specifically argon and the manager told me they only do oxygen, acetylene and 75-25, no straight argon and he didn't even know helium was for anything other than ballon filling.

[SidecarFlip]

additionally.... Not all clerks are 'potheads' at TSC. I have a good friend who was unemployed for quite a time, get a job as TSC. It's not the best but, it's a job.

I know TSC looses a bundle on damaged by employee merchandise.

[Ohio Mike]

I'd have to say that the problem with TSC is that the stores aren't consistent. I've been in no less than six stores in the last year. Some are really awesome, and others well they're just there. I think gas sales vary widely too. At one of the two stores I'm at often they say they sell a lot of gas and most of it is on the weekends. I try to buy my hardware there unless I get it surplus. They sell fasteners by the pound and they're cheaper than any big box or hardware store.

[Tom Hintz]

I also use the Thoroughbred cylinder swap at my local Tractor Supply and it is pretty painless, aside from the $330-some bucks for the #3 Argon/CO2 tank to start with. so far they have always had a full tank when I needed it so I am still happy with the service and it being close by.

[32deucecoupe]

I'd have to say that the problem with TSC is that the stores aren't consistent.

Very true, mine here in Midlothian Va is pretty much a great store, but on the way to my daughters house in another city, I wheeled into one that was a craphole.

[SidecarFlip]

I beliece it all depends on the store manager. All the stores have the same access to inventory and suppliers so it has to be the manager and how he (or she preceives things).

Far as fasteners in bulk at TSC. That bulk stuff is all crap. If it's something critical go get some real fasteners.

[Ohio Mike]

Far as fasteners in bulk at TSC. That bulk stuff is all crap. If it's something critical go get some real fasteners.

I can't really disagree. I solve half that problem by only buying grade 8. For most of the stuff I do that is major overkill. Everything at most stores (including TSC) is now Hillman which is sourced overseas. If I had any "human lives depend on this staying together" situations (like the pintle hitch on the trailer) I'd buy Holo-Krome.

[SidecarFlip]

You probably don't remember the Lake Erie Screw fiasco. LE was selling fasteners to the DOT for replacement in overhead light and sign stantions and they were breaking off and the lights and signs toppling. Comes to light that LE was sourcing the fasteners from China in bulk and restamping them Grade 5 or 8 with the LE trademark. Almost cost them the business. I still won't use a LE fastener because of that.

That Hillman stuff or whatever it is, is it really Grade 5 or 8? Just because it's stamped a such, don't make it so. I'll use Lamson & Sessions or Ring screw in any critical app. Lots of cold headers in this country yet.

[32deucecoupe]

Far as fasteners in bulk at TSC. That bulk stuff is all crap.

I agree. I bought Hillman from TSC, 2 bolts to mount a master cylinder on my coupe. After putting it on, I was in the process of bleeding the brakes, and all of a sudden, POW, when my wife pushed the brake pedal, the bolts snapped and the master cylinder was hanging on only by the lines. Never again...

[hamburg113]

Hi,

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Tks again and pls keep posting.

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Best regards.

[monckywrench]

#2 These freaking giant companies can't train their pothead employees how to distinguish owner's bottles, bottle sizes, and what 100% argon is. Gimme a break!

They have no incentive to train them. That costs money. It's retail. The company doesn't care, neither do the expendable workers. Part of lowering costs is lowering service.
No likee, no shoppee. Large chains BENEFIT from high turnover/low wage workers. They didn't make billions by being stupid.

I try to educate such folk (customer skill kung fu) and am friendly but assertive.

BTW I've known plenty of smokers who partied OFF WORK and did their jobs just fine during working hours. That's no different than drinking beer off work.

[mudbug]

TSC can kiss my fanny...

I asked at the store about upgrading bottle sizes if I purchased a smaller size bottle... OH Yes...NO problem.

I called the store much later to verify that assertion BEFORE purchasing a set of smaller bottles.... OH Yes...No problem


I purchased a set from a buddy that needed the cash and kept them a while ,but sold them to my Uncle that wanted a spare set since he already owned a set from TSC. Went in to upgrade to the larger size... NO WAY...WE DON'T DO THAT..... A-holes

It got even worse when I contacted TSC corporate about the situation... Their curt email response ticked me off worse than the store idiots.

I should have expected it after several attempts to purchase a John Deere exhaust gasket and was finally informed they couldn't get that part... Gimme a brake... Tractor Supply CAN'T get a John Deere tractor part as simple as a gasket...

It's no wonder the store is always empty even though it's located right in the middle of farm country.

I'll drive 50 miles to get anything before I darken their doors ever again.

[SidecarFlip]

At my lws when you go to pick up your cylinder off the loading dock, they won't help you put it in your truck because of insurance reasons. You are on your own, and man are those cylinders heavy when they're full. The dock is about 18 inches higher than my truck.

....Install a lift kit.....:D

[Rich1028]

I just started to buy gas from them a week ago.
the local welding shop is closed when I get out of work,and closed on sat. and sun.
so there's no way I'd be able to get gas otherwise.
a little expspencive to start,but for me there's no other alternitive.

[mike landrich]

a little expspencive to start,but for me there's no other alternitive.

There was one alternative.

Make friends at a local welding shop (not welding supply, but actual welder). Offer them a few bucks to do the exchange for you. They can just make it part of their scheduled delivery, assuming you use the same LWS for the gas. You might be able to get them to order steel for you too. Your steel gives them a heavier order, so they get a better price. They then add a few $$ to what they charge you. Everyone wins

[Blacksmith]

I guess I'm lucky. The gas supplier I deal with is only open M-F, 8-5, so I go on my lunch hour or on the way home. I identify myself as a hobbyist and they don't think any question is dumb and will spend 15 minues showing me options to accomplish what I think I want to do. Real, knowledgable professionals. Even if I could save $10-20 at TSC or some other place, it's worth it to get their help.

[mike landrich]

I guess I'm lucky. The gas supplier I deal with is only open M-F, 8-5, so I go on my lunch hour or on the way home. I identify myself as a hobbyist and they don't think any question is dumb and will spend 15 minues showing me options to accomplish what I think I want to do. Real, knowledgable professionals. Even if I could save $10-20 at TSC or some other place, it's worth it to get their help.


That's one reason I bought the Miller 211MVP at my LWS instead of of the Hobart 210MVP at TSC. I get lots of good advice from the LWS. They are specialists and can, and will, answer my questions.

That said a local welder buys steel for me does exchanges for the LWS. It is a win-win situation for everyone.