Henrob, Cobra, etc. Torch

Hav e any of you used this torch? How difficult to master compared to MIG? Good points/bad points?

 

Great torch.I used mine a ton before I got a TIG welder. It's a complete 180 of Mig welding. Have you ever gas welded before?

 

for me it was more like a very precise plasma cutter, you could cut a slice out of a steel plate less than 1/8" wide. I did it with some plate 3/8 or 1/2" thick.

used it just enough to figure it out and havent used it since. I never tried welding with it.

 

I got mine more than 20 years ago when it first came out and was called 'Dillon'. I grew up on gas and stick electrode welding so the Dillon-Henrob-Cobra was a no-brainer to learn. I've welded thin steel (about 22 guage, I seem to remember) up to 3/16th plate with no problems. I do recommend getting two-stage regulators because it's a bitch to set up 4 psi of oxy pressure on a regular guage. If you use a single stage reg leave it set once you are happy and just turn the tank on and off without bleeding the oxy line. Also, as 49ratfink says it does a hell of a cutting job

 

A friend demonstrated and sold Cobras at shows ... swears by them.

 

Couldn't really get the hang of gas welding when I first tried about 20 years ago. Then I got my mig and I never tried again. Got a gas welding unit and I'm changing the 2nd gauge to one that reads about (I think) 10 psi so setting it up at 4 should be easy. Got a good price on the deluxe unit so what the heck. Mainly wanted to try thin gauge welding with it as the welds are supposed to be softer.

 

I've had mine for 25yrs. or so and love it. I use it mostly for brazing cast iron. I have
repaired several heads, blocks water pumps ect. It also works great for doing split
exhaust manifolds.
It has such a consentrated heat at the tip that it makes the cast iron molted right on the edge you just add rod works great.
It also makes welds like a tig welder for the same reason.
The demo I saw the guy welded a beer can with it. I also works great on aluminum.
It doesn't replace a tig or mig but complements them.

Dodge

 

I always tell guys, if you can only have/afford one piece of welding equip, this is the one to have. Welds, brazes, solders, heats, cuts. Aluminum, steel, SS, cast iron. What more can you ask for.
While MIG and TIG certainly have their place, as well as a regular torch set up (rosebud, jeweler's torch) nothing does it all like this torch.

 

If you know how to gas weld, and switch to a Dillon/Henrob, you NEED to read the instructions. They are set up radicly different. When you do it right, you can make the smallest weld you ever saw.

 

Got mine and messed around with it for a while. Getting it "tuned" just right took some doing. I would say cuts BETTER than my plasma on thinner stuff, but my wleding with it was just pathetic. Although that is probably me more than the torch.

 

Great little torch! Start watching all the videos out there on setting the flame and using it. There are lots of them and even some from OZ.
Peace,
Chaz

 

I got my Cobras, Dillon, Henrob torch the other day. Been reading the manual and it states to run at 4psi for acetalyne and oxygen. How the heck am I supposed to set the psi at 4 when the guages start at 0 and then goes up 4 increments to 5psi? I've checked other guages and unless I buy $80- 200 guages I'm out of luck. And why do the standard guages start at 0 and on the 4th increment proclaim 5psi? Or should I just "ballpark" it?

 

I don't have low pressure gauges. I just ball parked it and they seem to work fine. YMMV

 

Read the directions or get someone to read them to you. You can also look on youtube for instructions. I have been using mine for 14 years to weld cast iron and stainless

 

Pg3. of the owners manual tells you how to set it up.

 

With out a doubt the best oxy /acet. torch out there. I have been using mine for 20 plus years [aircraft construction and repair] you will love it.