Town Dump Find

[Gilldiver]

So, the wife and I are at the town transfer station to get rid of an old rug. My wife had never been there so I was pointing out where the various types of trash go and I point over to the metal pile and say "All metal goes over there where that SCUBA tank is." Then I stopped and picked up said tank and take it home.

At home I find that:
It is a USD aluminum 80 with a born on date of 1973 and last hydro of 1978
Last visual sticker on it is from 1978
It is in "Like New Condition - this thing had only a few dives on it
It has a J-valve with pull rod
It still had 500 psi in it
USD Plastic Back pack - broken when it was thrown into the metals pile
Taking the valve out and it is clean

So, I swap out the back pack harness hardware and straps onto a DACOR pack in the back of the garage and have a problem - This tank is in like new condition, but getting old aluminums filled is a pain, so do I get it hydroed or do I make it into a bell?

[scubapeter]

I say make it a bell.... or better yet a lamp. The home depot sells a lamp kit that won't break the bank and they make a great conversation piece.

[USdiver]

Gill,

Did you save the tank from a nasty meeting with a dozer just to cut it in pieces? No, you saved it to dive it. Get it hydro-ed and eddy current inspected, then dive it until you can dive it no more. I still dive several AL 80s from the 1970s and they are great cylinders.

[crimediver]

I also dive my 6351 tanks that I get at the dump. Mine never are found with the valves in them though. Good score.