Forgot to check my propane tank gauge before a big commission

I was working on a custom gate for a client in Boise, about three hours into the final weld, when my torch just sputtered out. The tank was empty, and I had no backup because I got lazy. Had to drive all the way to the supplier in town, which killed my whole afternoon. Anyone else have a system to make sure you never run out mid-project?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_julia9d ago

My old shop in Tacoma had a rule, two full tanks minimum before starting any big weld. I mark my current one with red tape when it hits half, that's my signal to swap it out and order a refill. It's saved me from that exact panic more than once.

drew_coleman79d ago

Learned that lesson the hard way on a weekend project. I keep a spare tank in the garage now, full, with the valve closed and the tag still on it. The one I'm using gets a piece of painter's tape with the date I started it. When the pressure gauge starts to drop from that steady working range, the full spare is already right there. No last minute runs to the supplier.