SUPPLY ISSUES EFFECTING EVERYTHING

Unforgiven

solid fixture here in the forum
So I just got back from our local welding supply company. I ran out of oxy/acetylene and 75/25 mix.
They told me that they only had 2 "S" bottles left on the 75/25 mix and did not have anything for my torches.

Now this is a company that MADE it all on site, but in 2015 they had an explosion that rocked the community.
Since then they no longer produce any gas,But they do have oxygen.

I was told that they buy there gas mixes from a place a couple hours away now. Problem is .....
they place an order for 50 certain size tanks ( the one's you an I have in our shops) and only recieve 5-7
tanks! Their shelfs of any welding or cutting supplies are bleak to say the least.

When I asked about the shortage, they told me that other welding stores buy up everything they have
as soon as it comes in!

I can't help to think that they are being run out of the business.

This is my favorite company to deal with. they are the only place around that is open on Saturday mornings, But I found that even that is going to come to a halt.

After the explosion...They were bought by another gas company, but still retain the same name.
I was quoted $74 to exchange my acetylene tank.....if they had it. Oxygen is around $25

I believe I just paid $45 for my 75/25 mix.

I really think we are worst off than we were 15 years ago... It's very disheartening.
 
What is their main lable of gas?
If they are open on Saturday that means they are a retail customer store, they’re the first stores that will run low or out completely.
Where do you live and I could locate a commercial contractor supplier near you. They’re likely not open past 4:30, definitely not open on Sat and not under you typical Google list. More than likely I can tell you how to save a few bucks. Do your tanks have a current inspection stamp?
 
Thinking we are worse off now than we were 15 years ago is an understatement to say the least!
 
South Park welding Supplies is the name of the place. They are in Marysville Michigan

They are commercial.. They were the only gas manufacturing plant near me, until they blew the place up.
 
it always pays to make an effort to be friendly to the local miller and Lincoln welder supply shops,
my local AIRGAS store is never easy to deal with, but you generally can get something ordered in a few days time if your willing to pay through the nose and wait over night
yeah, current conditions SUCK, and its being done on purpose from what I see, the larger company's
are trying to eliminate competition, especially mom & pop shops, as they want to monopolize and control prices and supply's

and the place you get acetylene and shield gases and mig and tig welding rods from.
now I certainly don,t use the volume of gases and mig/tig supplies most auto repair shops use, but the local vendors recognize me most of the time ,because I generally have a few jokes to tell and the local guys know I build engines
and I have generally asked questions and purchased tools and supplies on most visits.
once you establish a relationship, no mater how fragile , you can generally get inside info on where to locate what you need at a decent price... if its available! now that I moved to Texas, I have to start iver establishing contacts among suppliers/ vendors
I shipped my miller 252 mig and lincoln generator/arc welder to texas, its still packed
garage25.jpg
 
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I have a great relationship with the company..I have delt with them for 20 years.
Great guys....I think you are correct in the the bigger company is trying to run
out their supplies so customers get frustrated and go elsewhere.

These guys stay open on Saturdays specifically for the little guys.
They sold alot of Propane on saturday mornings.
They don't even sell propane anymore.

I have to believe that it was all because of the explosion at their plant, and alot to do with insurance
companies.

I feel bad for them cause it really was a family own business that got bought out.
 
By the way Grumpy...I like that hat your wearing in that pic.
Hopefully you still have it to keep that HOT Texas sun off the back of your neck.:)
 
I have about 5 of the hats that are all very similar ,in design
most are either dark green or camo or black.
and rarely go without wearing one, its almost a trademark
 
I always bought my welding gas at Tractor Supply or AirGas. Both always had what I needed, but surprisingly TS is less and gives me 5% off and no state sales tax.
I know a few guys that buy through the tech school welding shops, that’s really cheap!
 
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