Technical Alternatives to Oxy/Acetylene Torch??????

Hey guys. I need to heat & bend my rear radius rods & a couple other items, but I don’t want to spend the $400 to buy an oxy/acetylene torch set up. Are there any cheap alternatives? I don’t think a handheld propane torch is going to be hot enough.
Thanks
Josh

 

No, a Bernzomatic would be like going big game hunting with a BB gun. Sure you don't want that torch set? I really couldn't get along without mine.

 

http://www.accuratepower.com/FrogPondForge/
The old fashioned way. Mike

 

Propane tank with a rosebud made specifically for propane (think roofer or gutter work). That's what I use. Not as fast as oxy acetylene but dirt cheap.
Or a press if you have one.

 

Map gas is hotter than propane, but still not hot enough in my opinion. The torch was my first expensive tool I bought at about age 18, and I can't imagine going thru life without it.

 

Radus rods can be bent cold in a hydraulic press, depending what shape you are looking for

 

I think your best option may be finding a friend with a torch you can come over and use for an afternoon

 

The only thing I can think of that I can personally attest to is using a TIG arc, with the machine set to high cleaning and a large gas lens to pull the arc further away, and use no filler rod. Basically use the TIG arc like a flame and use that to get the part hot enough to bend. But even that is limited in it's useful application because the arc is still tiny compared to an O/A flame and doesn't heat up large enough areas to bend a bigger part, plus I'd be using a $5000 machine to do the job of a $500 torch and tank set, so it's not economical in that sense either.

Bottom line is you need the right tool for the job.

 

once you get the torch, you can use it to weld up your exhaust, do bodywork (ever want to try hammer welding? it's a blast), shrink sheet metal, keep warm in winter, etc. Spend the bucks.

 

Induction heater?

 

Thats how I have done it more than once. Carbide metal blade angle grinder or Porta Band depending on how wide you need the kerf

 

Find someone selling a decent used set with medium sized bottles. Make sure the bottles are certified currently. Thats done by looking for the latest stamped date on them and a + (5 yrs) STAR (10 years)
If out of date they can usually be recertified for about $50 or less, but check with local welding supplier first. That can usually help negotiate a better price from seller. Get the tanks and use them. Then if you don't want to keep them, sell them with the new recertification for what you have in them.

 

I don't have a clue to where Chino is, but there is bound too be a welding shop in town that can bend your radius rods or a fellow hot rodder that can help you out. HRP

 

If you have a welder with stick capability you can use a Carbon Arc Torch.

 

I've used MAPP gas with a rosebud tip to heat parts to cherry red. It takes a while, and uses a LOT of gas, but it may work for you.
OA is much faster and you should be able to find a used setup pretty cheap.

 

And don't forget about acetylene balloons. Perfect for New Years

 

Los Angeles metro area. East of Los Angeles proper.


Highest population density in the US. All city, for miles-on end. ~16-million people in one connected area.

There should be dozens of OA rigs within a 5-mile radius.

 

Oxy/Propane works just as well as Oxy/Acetylene . Price for a torch set up for propane will be about the same, only difference in cost is acetyline is more than propane. Propane burns cleaner than acetyline, no black smoke when lighting it.
Guy I used to work with is in your area, does mobile fabricating / welding on the side. Gus 909-749-1222 .
Kenny

 

Bought a set of torches off dude needing money for $25.
Uncle gave me a cart
Our scrap yard hooked me up with bottles.
I’ve got $25 + the refill.
The key is buying when ya don’t really need it. Hanging out in low places, luck and good friends.
Pawn shops, Craigslist, marketplace…..
Seen entire setups for under $200.

 

Here you go, a cheap alternative

 

I have an extra set, Smith, cutting head and several welding tips, hose, gauges, 100 bucks. Just had the torch handle and cutting head rebuilt at a cost of 90 bucks, papers included

 

I wonder if a small set could be rented?

 

I have $100.

 

Bingo!!! ^^^^ Budget36 hit it. Call your local rental yard. My bud Ramsay and I rented oxy-acet torches in San Jose in 1957, used them on both our hot rods at his house. Cheap!!!

My then-new oxy-acet set was stolen (1970) so I opted for a new set (Mac tool man) a Victor Aircraft set. (small, mainly for sheet metal bodywork, but with a large rosebud for heating larger work)
Again, a theft of my bottles, gauges, hoses, and the blowpipe mixer. (out of production)
I was able to buy a new one a guy had bought and kept in his clothing drawer! Never used, a rare find.
I went to the welding supply, bought a new set of owner bottles, and the store owner sold me a used set of gauges, new hoses and a welding cart.
Most welding shops are very helpful, if you don't rent a set just ask for a deal.

 

A lot of welding shops do rent. Worth a few phone calls.

https://www.yellowpages.com/search-map/chino-hills-ca/welding-equipment-rental

 

go on Craig's list, buy a use set

 

Heck, if the OP doesn’t take you up on that, I will. I need another set so I’m not swapping from my large set of tanks to small set.

Send me a PM if the OP doesn’t take you up, be no rush on my end.

 

Here you go, take a little drive:
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/7564634425.html

 

A couple of fireplace-sized chunks of wood and a fan blowing on it will easily heat them up enough to bend. There are many variations of the "backyard forge". One photo and one video below should give you enough info to roll your own.