Welding Gas Cylinder Size

[ultra]

I recently bought a torch kit to start welding the frame for my XL with no gas welding experience and was wondering what the best size tanks for this project would be considering I want the tanks to be semi portable.

I was thinking of leasing a 330 cubic ft oxygen cylinder for a year with a matching acetylene tank but I don't know if that's overkill considering I'm looking for a balance between tank size and portability.

What are your guys experiences with tank sizes for oxy/fuel welding?

[Dave Stroud]

I just checked my tanks and it looks like my oxygen tank is the 100 cu. ft. model as it is about 35" high and 7" diameter. I've been using that size for about 25 years and they seem to be a handy size to throw around. For the first 8 years I rented the tanks and I think I remember the fees were almost $200 per year. A true PITA and yes...things cost more in Canada. I finally bought a set for about $400 and never looked back. Buy them used if you're under 90 years old....   :-)

[914pete]

The tanks I rent for my XL build and only use them for it (I use a MIG for all the general non-airplane welding I do): Acetylene Type B tank 40cuft. its roughly 23" tall,  Oxygen Type Q tank 80cuft. its roughly 32" tall.  I'm probably 85% done with the fuselage/landing gear and I've only had to refill the Acetylene tank once.  (BTW, I spent quite a bit of gas practicing initially, its fun!) The Oxygen is getting low and will have to refill that soon.  I like the smaller size tanks for handling.  The only mistake I made was "renting" them.  Renting both tanks costs around $39.00/month.  I could have bought two new tanks by now for the money I spent on renting.

[scottiniowa]

a moving cart converted to holding- two tanks- makes all welding tank sizes portable around the shop.

If your talking loading the unit into and out of a pickup...nothing makes that very portable.

[ultra]

I appreciate the responses, I went ahead and leased a 150cuft S size oxygen cylinder from Praxair for a year.

The lease costs $66 a year and the refill is $52, I live in Ontario, Canada and judging from some of the prices around here this is what's going to suit me best, I can also carry the tank pretty easily

The guy at praxair said I can upgrade my tank size to a 330cuft T size if I needed a larger capacity and told me they would keep the rental charges the same which is nice, the refill on the 330 is $100.13.

Once I get my work space set up for the tanks I'll be picking up an acetylene cylinder to go along with it then start ordering the metal for the frame.

Thanks

[ArcticDave]

I'm late to this conversation, but for a comparison...
I own a 58 cf oxy tank and a 40 cf acet tank. Just swapped both for a grand total of $ 40.00
Oxy was $14.00 
I've welded 90% of my clusters thus far and only used a half a tank of Oxy. I fully expect to have lots left over. Your 150 cf will last for 2-3 fuselages.