Approximate cost of Tank Tumbling?

[TravelGas]

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.

 

[grf88]

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.

 

[TravelGas]

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.

 

[grf88]

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.

 

[TravelGas]

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.

 

[SlugLife]

(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:

Retester Locations

portal.phmsa.dot.gov

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).

 

[ScubaBunga]

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.

 

[SlugLife]

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.

 

[ScubaBunga]

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.

 

[SlugLife]

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.