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?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_julia3mo 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_coleman73mo 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.

tara7002mo ago

Oh that painter's tape trick is smart but you might want to double check that date. The gauge can hold steady for a while even when the tank is almost empty, especially with argon or C25.