80 Cubic Foot Tanks

An 80 cf steel argon tank stands about 33 inches tall and 7 inches in diameter, short enough to fit under a workbench or upright in a trunk or van. Its lower height and 47 pound empty weight make it more portable than a 125 cf cylinder while still holding plenty of shielding gas. This size suits welders who move their argon tank between jobs or store it in tight spaces.

At a typical shielding gas flow of 20 to 25 CFH, an 80 cf argon tank gives roughly 3 to 4 hours of arc time. Heavier MIG work or drafty conditions use gas faster, while light TIG passes extend it. If you weld often, compare this against a 125 cf tank to judge how frequently you want to refill.

For a home shop or hobby welder, an 80 cf argon tank is usually a good fit, giving a solid run of arc time without the weight of larger cylinders. Occasional welders may choose a smaller 40 cf bottle, while daily users often prefer 125 cf or more to reduce refill trips. Matching tank size to how often you weld keeps handling easy.

The purchase price is shown on this page, and refill cost is set by your local gas supplier and varies by region and gas purity. Because you own the cylinder outright, you can compare refill prices between welding suppliers instead of paying rental fees. Owners typically find the cost per fill drops over time versus renting a bottle.

Yes, this cylinder is rated for inert and mixed gases, so a supplier can fill it with a MIG blend such as 75 percent argon and 25 percent CO2 for steel. The cylinder does not set the blend, so specify the mix your MIG welder needs at refill. Pure argon remains the choice for TIG and for MIG on aluminum.

The main differences are capacity, height, and weight: the 80 cf argon cylinder is shorter and lighter for easier handling, while a 125 cf holds more gas for longer runs between refills. Both use the same CGA580 connection, so one regulator fits either. Choose 80 cf for portability and 125 cf for fewer refills.

This argon cylinder uses a CGA580 valve outlet with a 3/4 inch NGT thread, the standard inert-gas connection. A CGA580 argon or MIG flowmeter threads directly on, so most existing welding regulators fit without an adapter. Confirm your regulator is CGA580 before the first fill.

You own this cylinder outright once purchased, with no rental contract or recurring fees. Ownership lets you refill or exchange it at any qualified gas supplier and keeps long-term cost below renting. Keep your purchase and hydro-test records to prove ownership at exchange.

A high-pressure steel argon cylinder must be hydrostatically requalified on a set DOT interval, and the last test date is stamped into the collar. A qualified supplier checks that date at every fill and will requalify or decline an out-of-date cylinder. Buying new starts the clock fresh, so the next requalification is years away.

No, all cylinders ship empty for transport safety, so this tank must be filled before first use. Take it to a welding gas supplier that can provide argon or your chosen mix and fill to the marked service pressure. Once filled and fitted with a CGA580 regulator, it is ready for the welder.