Approximate cost of Tank Tumbling?

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This week I had 2 tanks inspected.
I paid $37 per tank at a Welding supply store for Hydro testing, instead of the $70 per tank the LDS wanted to charge.
Then took those 2 tanks to the LDS and paid $20 for VIP and $10 for air fill each tank.
 
This week I had 2 tanks inspected.
I paid $37 per tank at a Welding supply store for Hydro testing, instead of the $70 per tank the LDS wanted to charge.
Then took those 2 tanks to the LDS and paid $20 for VIP and $10 for air fill each tank.
Doesn't the LDS include a VIP and air fill with the Hydro.
 
Doesn't the LDS include a VIP and air fill with the Hydro.
No, they want $70 just for the Hydro, which is the most I have heard of. Tanks inspections are getting very expensive.
The air fill is not included in the VIP either, $20 for VIP, extra $10 for air fill for a tank up to 100 cu ft, larger tank is more.
 
No, they want $70 just for the Hydro, which is the most I have heard of. Tanks inspections are getting very expensive.
The air fill is not included in the VIP either, $20 for VIP, extra $10 for air fill for a tank up to 100 cu ft, larger tank is more.
I guess I am out of touch, I pay $20 for a hydro, went up 2 years ago from $10, do my own VIP and fills.
 
The LDS recently raised their Hydro price. A dive club member told me about the Welding supply, who also sends tanks out weekly, but charges $37 including tax, instead of $70, a comparative bargain. I also found out about some people who do the VIP and will fill for a lot less than the $30 I paid today. Their compressor was down or I would have taken that option now.
 
(if I remember correctly) During my VIP class, I believe he mentioned there's a website, which lists every place that's certified to do hydrostatic-testing. I think it's in my notes, but those notes are currently sitting in my car in the Texas sun.

I think this may be the website, but I'm not 100% sure:


This week I had 2 tanks inspected.
I paid $37 per tank at a Welding supply store for Hydro testing, instead of the $70 per tank the LDS wanted to charge.
Then took those 2 tanks to the LDS and paid $20 for VIP and $10 for air fill each tank.
"I feel your pain!"

Hydro prices also went up at local hydro stations. A few years ago, I think they were $25, but now everywhere is $35. I have 4 expired tanks, and 2 more almost-expired tanks that I need to hydro soon. I'll probably do all 6 at once, even though 2 have another 9 months left, just because of the hassle and cost of driving there twice (once to drop off, again to pick up).
 
I made a homemade whip as you describe; I installed a plastic tank cap with a hole in the center to keep the SS rod away from the tank neck threads. I tack-welded the SS cable to a length of SS rod. Works great.
a threaded to slip pvc pipe (I think 3/4") fitting works well too - it screws into the tank just fine to protect the threads from getting banged around by the whip shaft.
 
a threaded to slip pvc pipe (I think 3/4") fitting works well too - it screws into the tank just fine to protect the threads from getting banged around by the whip shaft.
Does this look about right?

edit: or this?

I'll put up a parts-list and instructions when I do the DIY whip, if it works out. So far it's just a metal rod, some stainless-steel cable, SS zip ties, and probably one of those PVC fittings.
 
Does this look about right?

edit: or this?

I'll put up a parts-list and instructions when I do the DIY whip, if it works out. So far it's just a metal rod, some stainless-steel cable, SS zip ties, and probably one of those PVC fittings.
The first one is what I use. Not sure it’s exact as I just picked it up from local Lowe’s, but it looks like that.
 
I suppose the one thing I can't tell, is if the PVC it's 3/4-14 based on the description (they all just say 3/4). I might drag one of my empty 6cu bottles to a hardware store to be sure.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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