Tanks are empty, here are a couple more shots. Sounds like the best idea is just to take em in and go from there.
Neal pretty well nailed it. Forget the scary BS stories. Basically an "owned" tank is one you paid for but I don't know of anyone who takes his "personal" tanks in around here and has them refilled and gets the same tanks back outside of maybe the guys who have those little carry around in your hand torch sets. The rest of us take our green ones or black ones back to the welding supply and swap them in for a filled one. I bought a quite similar set a few years ago and swapped the tanks that had been on the cart in for filled ones with no problem after they were empty. They were old but the welding supply I deal with never batted an eye when I took them in. Years ago I paid enough rent on tanks to have bought two or three sets of tanks over a several year period and don't recommend that unless you have a shop where you can write the rent off as a business I probably would get new hoses and have the gauges checked out. It's a lot better to put out a few bucks and feel safe rather than worrying about one leaking. As far as the cart's size goes, while it looks big it doesn't look like it takes up any more floor space than carts with small wheels or narrow carts that you have to manhandle to mover over rough ground and most of us on here would love to have those larger wheels when we wheel the torch outside and across the driveway or yard to cut something. I don't do any cutting with the torch inside my garage and usually unroll the hose to reach outside but often roll the whole thing out across the yard to where I need to cut something. Get in the habit of checking the valves on the tanks when you walk by the torch setup to make sure they are turned off. It saves a lot of gas or oxygen if nothing else.
More good tips, thanks! My shop is small so wheeling out to the drive way is easily done, what you guys are saying about keeping the big wheels makes sense. When I had my shop built I had an extra 220 outlet put right by the garage door opening so I could use the other welders in the doorway or outside if I wanted. I really wanted to avoid renting, that's why I haven't ever had a set of tanks. I'm hoping having these will get me past that hurdle.
Do NOT attempt to repair the gauges yourself, including replacing glass. Let a qualified firm do this for you. Be careful with the "soapy water". Some soaps contain oils that can explode if exposed to pure oxygen. Leak testing solutions like "Snoop" are designed for this and will not react with the oxygen. Never use any teflon tape or other pipe dopes on the threaded connections. they should seal properly without them. Your local library should be an excellent resource for information or better yet take a class at your local community college. Also keep Acetylene your pressure below 10 pounds as stated earlier.
Neal and Mr48 had good advise.... In your area go to Central Welding Supply, they are knowledgeable and friendly people. They have several stores, the closest to you are probably Smokey Point/Marysville or Everett. Good luck and enjoy your "new" toy...... BE SAFE Lynn W
Central Welding Supply is right off of 522 between Woodinville & Maltby. I deal with Airgas in Woodinville. I had bought a complete welding outfit about 25 years ago. Took the bottles to several welding places until I found one who would exchange the bottles. When I moved from Michigan, I took the bottles back, they called the local store near my new place and arranged so I could get the same size bottles. Just had to pay for the gas. Also just seen a cart, bottles and torches at a yard sale near Duvall for $100 Saturday.