Nitrogen/Argon/Oxygen Gas Bottle data wanted

[ManDownUnder]

Anyone out there in engineering land - can you take a quick look-see at the gas bottle(s) you have in use and let me know a few bits and pieces?

Height (mm)
Gas
Manufacturer (stamped into the shoulder)
Batch
Date of manufacture.

Anything else of relevance?

I'm trying to import some and would like to know what's already in use.

A good variety of data would help, but if you are the same as someone else, please confirm that too... all very useful and I think we could all stand to gain on this one.
Cheers
MDU

[Milky]

We have argon, oxy and acetylene which I can investigate for you. Where did you want the height measured to?

[bungbung]

MDU, would that be for a mig by chance?

[Firefight]

height to top of cylinder 1390mm

height to top of valve 1490mm

NZIG

5/85 Yof M

Nitrogen (gas type 152)


also have a few cylinders(older type that are about 30mm shorter)

standard grey (152)

F/F

[ManDownUnder]

MDU, would that be for a mig by chance?

For the mig yes
MDU

[geoffm]

To get them filled in New Zealand, they msut be stamped with a LAB number. It is a bloody have, but... the manufacturing standard is also stamped on the neck - DOTxxx or ASxxxx. Without the LAB number, which is issued after destuctive testing of the batch, by NZ Dept of Labour (told you it was a have) you can't get it filled, even though it was made to the same standard.
Been through this exercise before, and after many years, now have my own gas bottles. 'Kin BOC are thieves. Avoid at all costs.
Get on the horn to:
Supagas - Manakau City (or there is another one in Hamilton, aka Oxyman) - approved to certify acetylene cyls, and refill bottles with all gases. Helpful, and the Hami one would fill while you wait
Eastside cyl testing, Hamilton (although Supagas can drop it off and get it done for you) - approved testers of high pressure tanks. Very helpful - worth a call - they will fill you in on the details.
Machinery and Marine (just out of Hamilton) regularly have bottles for sale - usually around $350ish.
The requrements for O2 are stricter than for inert gases - one of mine was not up to it for O2, but past for Ar. One tip for C02 bottles - look for a Carbonic Co2 extinguisher with the right sized valve thread, and Eastside can recert them for welding gas use and a new valve.
If they are stamped NZIG, BOC or Air Liquide, they are rental bottles, and if you take them back to BOC or AL, they will take them back.
I notice that scuba bottles have the same standard (ASxxx) and lab numebr as welding bottles, and are filled to the same pressure. I have an ali O2 cylinder, so they do exist. i don't know if you could recertify (r just change the valve...) on one for welding gas use.
Geoff

[Motu]

Thanks for that info geoffm,I hate being hooked into the BOC Gas rental scheme,I used to own my own bottles,but they stopped that.It's not so bad as I do it through work,but for home use I may only touch my plant a couple of times a year,so it's a real rip off to pay monthly.