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School me on Oxy Acetylene torches

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by chrisser, Jan 15, 2010.

  1. chrisser
    Joined: Mar 20, 2008
    Posts: 133

    chrisser
    Member

    Trying to get myself a set and looking for advice on used/new, brands, etc. My main concern is a safe setup, followed by one on which I can get quality, repeatable results. Capacity is important, but less so.

    Looking around, I see new (Chinese) starting at under $100 for everything but the tanks, to Victor or Harris going for $500 and up. In the middle are Craftsman and Bernzomatic.

    Used is all over the place - sometimes it seams more $$ than new and there are a bunch of manufacturers - some of which I've never heard of.

    Do I need to stick with one manufacturer for everything or can I mix and match - regulator from one place, torch from another, hoses from another? What parts should be new, and what can I safely buy used?

    If I can mix, where should I invest the money up front for top quality/new, and where can I go cheaper/used for now and maybe upgrade later?

    I'm just a hobbyist. Have a flux 110 mig (we don't have 220 at the house) and a small Oxy/Mapp setup. I'd like to be able to weld, braze larger material than I can now with the Mapp, do some cutting and annealing, and basically hone my skills. OTOH, I don't want something that's not going to be adequate for a decent sized project.

    I won't be making a living with these torches, nor will I be in a production environment, but I don't want to buy **** that's frustrating to use or dangerous.

    I don't mind putting together a set from pieces parts over time if that will give me the best bang for the buck. OTOH, if the best way to go is to save up and buy a brand new Victor set, well I can do that too.

    What's your advice?


    And what about peripherals? Goggles, gloves, other safety/needed equipment?
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2010
  2. deucegasser
    Joined: Jul 16, 2006
    Posts: 288

    deucegasser
    Member

    I went with NEW,QUALITY stuff. I've had my set for about 12 years. Worst and only problem was a regulator had to be rebuilt. Its a Victor set. Buyin' used would scare me, unless you go through and check all the o-rings and valves or essentially rebuild em. We've got a good welding supply store close by, they sell and can get anything. Good quality lenses,gloves,filler rod etc.
     
  3. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,971

    squirrel
    Member

    I bought a new, relatively low priced, American made torch set, and I can get replacement parts at the local welding supply. I've had it for over 20 years.

    I'd suggest you do the same.
     
  4. seventhirteen
    Joined: Sep 21, 2009
    Posts: 721

    seventhirteen
    Member
    from dago, ca

    i personally prefer victor valves and handles, readily available, if there is a problem parts are easy to get. my cut-off torches are smith, all bought used most around 15 years in my possession.
     
  5. junk yard kid
    Joined: Nov 11, 2007
    Posts: 2,717

    junk yard kid
    Member

    Be carefull, i survived an acetylene explosion a few weeks ago, my left ear is still ringing.turn those valves off and make sure there is ventilation. Im scared to go into my sea container now, i think static or my cell phone set it off.
     
  6. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,971

    squirrel
    Member

    wait...you stored a torch set in a sealed container? wow
     
  7. burninbilly
    Joined: Jan 24, 2009
    Posts: 176

    burninbilly
    Member

    i weld for a living and i say go with a common brand , for u are going to have it forever,if u ever need parts,u dont have to worry,not to often that happens for taken care of they last for ever,also check to see availbility of diff tips and what cutting styles u can get for it,victor as mentioned is worth the money spent
     
  8. junk yard kid
    Joined: Nov 11, 2007
    Posts: 2,717

    junk yard kid
    Member

    it wasnt sealed, it has a window on one side and a bunch of vents on the other, it is by no means sealed. But it still went boom. I dont normally store them in their just while i was doing the concrete around thme.
     
  9. Deuce Daddy Don
    Joined: Apr 27, 2008
    Posts: 5,599

    Deuce Daddy Don
    Member

    Welding since 1951---Advice---Only buy VICTOR equipt.
     
  10. HellsHotRods
    Joined: Jul 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,429

    HellsHotRods
    Member

    VICTOR is now made in MEXICO, it's not the same stuff

    SMITH is USA made with Lifetime warranty

    PUROX is USA made

    http://www.weldfabulous.com <-they have good prices on kits
     
  11. LUX BLUE
    Joined: May 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,407

    LUX BLUE
    Alliance Vendor
    from AUSTIN,TX

    winner winner chicken dinner. smith torches, purox regulators, goodyear hoses. this is a combination that will last You a lifetime.
     
  12. chrisser
    Joined: Mar 20, 2008
    Posts: 133

    chrisser
    Member

    Those are some great prices!
     
  13. Rehpotsirhcj
    Joined: May 7, 2006
    Posts: 1,541

    Rehpotsirhcj
    Member

    I bought a complete Victor setup from the local Oxarc dealer a short time ago, and I've been really happy with it. It&#8217;s nice to have a nearby selection of tips and accessories, and if I have a problem I can get good service. Really didn&#8217;t cost too much more than some of the sets I was looking up on Craiglist either. I think I paid a little over $700 that included a few extra items like a 00 tip.

    Chris
     
  14. Dead Pan
    Joined: May 21, 2008
    Posts: 366

    Dead Pan
    Member

    well this thread just saved me alot of time and headache, thank you gentlemen
     
  15. BAD ROD
    Joined: Dec 16, 2004
    Posts: 1,530

    BAD ROD
    Member

  16. all this reading makes me wanna go fire up my new (to me) o/a setup and go cut some things....
     
  17. mrpowderkeg
    Joined: Mar 11, 2009
    Posts: 178

    mrpowderkeg
    Member

    Smith for me, all American, works well! Make sure you get a bunch of different tips. If I was to have one welding outfit and that's all I could ever have, I'd have an OA setup. You can weld, cut, heat, burn solder and braze with it.
     
  18. chrisser
    Joined: Mar 20, 2008
    Posts: 133

    chrisser
    Member

    Was looking at that myself. Did some research and Smith seems to be a great company to buy from.

    One thing about that set is that it only comes with a 3 year warranty.

    If you spend another $100 or so on the next series up http://www.weldfabulous.com/Cutting...ts/Smith-Medium-Dual-Guard-Weld-p4543758.html

    you get a lifetime warranty (and a tool box and a 5' longer hose). I'd like to see how the warranty works, but it might pay for itself not considering it is a heavier duty outfit.
     
  19. chrisser
    Joined: Mar 20, 2008
    Posts: 133

    chrisser
    Member

    Here's Smith's lifetime warranty.

    http://enet.smithequipment.com/publ...A64C9-9131-499E-BCB8-0E73E229A90E}&DownLoad=0

    There's a different warranty on the regulators/hoses/etc and I haven't found the details on that.

    For me, the only downside is the closest distributor is a fair drive away (1/2 an hour to 45 minutes) and I'm in Cleveland OH. Weird - we seem to be an odd area where Smith's distributor network hasn't yet penetrated. However, based on the doc above, it looks like the distributor just sends the torch to Smith for repair/replacement and the consumer can do that directly, so I'd probably just take that route.
     
  20. pasadenahotrod
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 11,772

    pasadenahotrod
    Member
    from Texas

    Be sure and get a Bill Of Sale for the bottles and check the inspection dates.
     
  21. 59 brook
    Joined: Jun 12, 2005
    Posts: 1,016

    59 brook
    Member

    have any of you guys used the henrob setup? at the turkey run the guy had a demo was cutting up to 1" thick and almost as clean as a plasma cutter
     
  22. AZAV8
    Joined: May 3, 2005
    Posts: 997

    AZAV8
    Member
    from Tucson, AZ

    I'm with squirrel. Victor is good quality equipment. I bought my set through these guys:

    http://store.cyberweld.com/vieq.html

    They had the best price, even better than the local acetylene supplier who was giving me a good discount because I did some engineering work for them.

    I've used it and am very pleased with it. Its a quality tool and I can get it repaired, if needs be, at any one of several welding suppliers locally.

    I bought my tanks at U. S. AirWeld in Phoenix, when I lived up in Mesa. On any tank you buy, check the inspection date before you accept it to make sure the inspection is not expired nor will be shortly.

    Remember to keep the acetylene tank vertical, i.e. upright. Do NOT lay it down. Acetylene gas is held in suspension in liquid acetone inside a porous filler inside the tank. That's just one of many safety items you will need to learn.
     
  23. BLUECOLLARKUSTOMS
    Joined: Jan 22, 2006
    Posts: 184

    BLUECOLLARKUSTOMS
    Member

    Heres the web site for Smith Equipment www.smithequipment.com. this will give you an idea what is available, good stuff, and made right in my back yard, buy american, we all need our jobs......Scott
     
  24. db
    Joined: Dec 22, 2009
    Posts: 8

    db
    Member

    just curious if anyone has any experience with l-tec? i think it is now under the ESAB name? i picked up a setup with 3 regs a torch and a few tips for about $50...havent used yet.
     
  25. rjgideon
    Joined: Sep 12, 2005
    Posts: 573

    rjgideon
    Member

    I bought a Henrob/Cobra/Dillon/DHC-2000 torch off ebay. The Henrob/Cobra/DHC torches are made in the USA, I'm pretty sure. Dillons were from Australia, I believe. I haven't gotten any farther than setting up the regulators. Perhaps I'll get some time with the long weekend. It's lighter than the Harris that it's replacing. Some people say they are heavy, maybe so if you do a lot of welding, I didn't think it was too heavy.
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2010
  26. No Cents
    Joined: Feb 28, 2009
    Posts: 336

    No Cents
    Member

    Like everyone else has said.... Buy a good name, good quality American made setup. I bought a used (10 year old) victor set up in the in the late seventies and have only had to replace a couple of o-rings and hoses once. And yes it gets used alot. Don't be scared of used, If its a name brand parts are readily available.
     
  27. chrisser
    Joined: Mar 20, 2008
    Posts: 133

    chrisser
    Member

    Thank you to everyone for the responses.

    I'm leaning toward the Smith Equipment but am going to see what I find.

    Have another question. I noticed a tank truck on the way to work this morning. I hadn't noticed before, but all the cylinders were upright.

    Did some reading and found the acetylene cylinders need to remain upright - at least during use. I know you don't want cylinders rolling around in the bed of a truck without valve protectors as that's a bomb waiting to go off.

    But, how do you get the tanks home? With the valve caps, can you lay them down in the back of a truck strapped down or do you have some bracketry to transport the tanks upright? Seems the O2 cylinder would be the larger problem and it's the larger and higher pressure of the two IIRC.
     
  28. Rehpotsirhcj
    Joined: May 7, 2006
    Posts: 1,541

    Rehpotsirhcj
    Member

    I you have a cart its pretty easy to just teather the whole thing and keep it upright. If you have to lay the acetylene cylinder down on its side for transport, you need to make sure its in the upright position for some time before using it. The fella at Oxarc told me a couple of hours if I remember correctly, I'd leave it overnight myself...
    Better to keep them upright if possible.
     
  29. Blown Mopar
    Joined: Oct 14, 2009
    Posts: 272

    Blown Mopar
    Member
    from abc

    I don't think I'd but a $100 Chinese set. But if your just using it for hobby stuff you will probably find a inexpensive fair quality set at most welding supply stores. I rented my tanks for years. There's pro and con to that. When I needed gas or air I just exchanged tanks with my supplier and I didn't need to have inspections. On the other hand, I paid more over the years and could have bought my own tanks. Get a decent cart, got mine for $150 at Sears. Tips can be expensive, but necessary. When you buy your set, get as many tips included as you can.
     
  30. Shaggy
    Joined: Mar 6, 2003
    Posts: 5,207

    Shaggy
    Member
    from Sultan, WA

    Why is everyone scared of used stuff??, $300 should get you a used victor set, i really dont like my guages, they need a tap every now and then, but get the job done

    Hell as used stuff goes, I need to tear into my 1917 portland brazing and machine torch kit and fix one of the regualtors and i'll be using it!!, it's not like anything has really changed in 100 years exept some obscure tips are unavalible now
     

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