I'm looking for a new torch, regulators and etc.. for sheet metal welding. Not quite sure which one to get. Have looked at Smithy airline and now Goss. Was told to bet a low pressure regulator for sheet metal welding to be more consistent. Gas welded in school 40 yrs. ago but haven't since. I can't justify a tig and besides you can't anneal with it either. I have a Sears setup that's about 10 yrs. old but it is a piece of crap. Any suggestions?
If you have no other "equipment", Id go with a Henrob/Dillon/Cobra (whatever they're called today!). You can weld, cut, heat, solder, braze, etc. with it. Great all around shop tool, if you can't afford, or have room for a MIG, TIG, plasma and torch. If you just want a torch for welding, nothing else, the Meco Midget is a great one, very small, light, easy to handle. As for regulators, get Victor, or whatever good ones your welding supply place has, nothing like the stuff pros use, not Harbor Freight crap. Especially with explosives!
I second the Meco Midget.....and the low pressure regulators. You can use the pressure regulators that you use with your cutting outfit, but will continuously be adjusting for pressure creep. And if youre new to the game, it will frustrate you and you will think youre doing something wrong and give up. I suggest a lightweight hose setup, too.
the Henrob cuts and welds mild steel like all the others but it will also weld cast iron easily and it will weld stainless. I have been using mine for 15 years ( gas welding torches)
Thanks Anyone using a Goss? I can get a complete setup for around 300 with regulators, I have other Mig welders just want a good gas outfit.
All the years I have been welding and still can't understand the way that the henrob torches are designed. That pistol grip thing would be the most awkward un-natural thing to have in my hand to gas weld. For me the torch orienation and hand position would be all wrong. For me the small jewelers torch I have is more natural.
Henrob (Dillon, Cobra, etc) hands down. Get the lower setting regulator. Makes a world of difference. I was able to weld 22ga aluminum sheet metal without warping. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I have a Tig machine for that. And yes, I can weld cast iron with the Tig. Aluminum too of course. All I need my little gas torch for is mild steel sheetmetal fusion welding and occasionally a little silver-brazing/ soldering. Look here, Smith Little torch. http://www.littletorch.com/
I have a Victor 'aircraft' set. Costly for parts now, a 'mixer' is $200+. Mine was stolen, but I found a guy in Modesto (Craigslist) that had a brand new one. ($60) I bought the torch set in 1974, (Snap On man had a new set on his truck, I had to have it: $120 then!) Finally, I am back at it with my Victor. It just goes with the sheet metal on my '27 T's.
Willy I am partial to Vo ictor units, but for a cheaper unit I used to have a Dockson that I truley loved.
I use a small Victor body with the valves up front. Very compact and light. Both reg's are 2 stage and I have them hooked to a gas saver with a 7' light gauge hose
Small victor or a meco midget with low pressure regulators is what I reach for. I use 000 or 00 tips on these for sheet metal up to 18 gauge and aluminum. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Great info, I've also been thinking of getting a gas welding setup. Haven't done it since shop class in high school. Once I bought a mig that's what I've used. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
Henrob might look difficult or different to use with the pistol grip, but yogurt adjusted to it in minutes. Ken
What about hoses? Anything really lightweight available? I like my henrob, but it's heavy. Damn arthritis. I'd like to go with something as light as possible, torch and hose.
Tinbender if you are looking for a lightweight torch look at the Meco midget and accompanying hoses. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Try these lightweight hoses Tinbender, I love them. https://www.tinmantech.com/html/welding_hoses.php
Albeit that I'm still learning, I use a Meco Midget and have really enjoyed how small it is. I used a larger torch at my shop and it was too clumsy for me. The Midget has allowed me to be more precise. Just my .02
I have a Henrob and use Smith low pressure regulators. Check out Cyberweld.com. I tried for a while using my old Victor Junior regulators but they were not very accurate and did some creeping as well. There is quite a learning curve with the Henrob and I am certainly still learning. The pistol grip does take some getting used to. There are a number of videos on YouTube regarding the Henrob and the Meco and others. 98% of my welding is with a 220 Miller which can't be beat and if all I wanted to do with O A is sheetmetal I might go with the Meco with the low pressure gauges. For heating and bending as well as cutting the Henrob is great. O and A are both rather costly and being able to do your work with 4 psi is a real bonus.