problem with my victor torch

I was using my torch to cut some 1/4" angle iron yesterday. When I was done with the cut I went to shut off the gas and there was a flame coming out of the acetylene adjustment valve on the torch handle. It kinda freaked me out and I obviously got everything shut down right away. Gas is leaking past the valve when the valve is open, but I don't think it is leaking when it's shut. I mostly use the torch to weld sheetmetal, and I have noticed that the valves are a lot looser then when I first got it. It's really hard to get the flame adjusted, especially at lower gas pressure.

Does my torch need to be rebuilt? Is this something I can do myself? The whole set-up is victor and it's just over a year old.

Thanks for your help

 

Sounds like you need a rebuild. At work we have mostly victor torches and always send them to the local supplier. I was talking to the guy at the shop that i deal with for my personal supplies a while back, and he said that he stopped carrying victor because they started manufacturing in the middle east and the quality went downhill.

 

Time for a rebuild kit. My old Boss had one that did that on me, never used it again. If you would look at his tools you would prob find it in the same condition today, 4 years after DOH!

 

replace or rebuild time for sure!!!!!!

 

Yeah, it really freaked me out. Has anyone else had problems with victor? I bought that brand 'cause I thought it was supposed to be good. I don't want to have to deal with this all the time.

 

sounds like if it was only a year old it might be a defect in the product. Try contacting victor and tell them the situation, in this economy im sure they will do all they can to keep a customer happy and spreading the GOOD word on there company.

 

Before you have it rebuilt, check the nut behind the adjustment valve. Sometimes they work loose over time. Tighten it and see if it still leaks. If it does then have it rebuilt.

 

Thanks for the suggestion flathead6, I'll check that out. Hopefully that's all it is.

 

yeap, there is a packing in there around the valve stem. With use it wears and the vales get sloppy wont hold an adjustment. That nut is there to tighten this packing. You can set the tension of the valves to suit your taste and application. Should fix it right up in a jiffy.

Open the valves about half way ,tighten the nut a bit and check the tension, dont go to far.

if this has been done many many times to this torch then it needs to get rebuilt.

 

Problem solved! Thanks so much. This was exactly what I was looking for. It solved both problems with the torch. Now that the valves are firmed up I can get back out and keep practicing my hammer welding.

Thanks again guys