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tommy53002
01-08-2014, 09:10 PM
I plan to buy an oxy acetylene torch soon, but don't know much about them. I've cruised craigslist some but because I don't know much about them, I'm a little hesitant to buy used. The torch will probably only get used a few times a year so i am not looking to buy anything top of the line/professional grade.

Anyone have any experience or opinions about these:
Northertool $139.00
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200381819_200381819
Harbor freight $129.00 -20%
http://www.harborfreight.com/oxygen-and-acetylene-welding-kit-98958.html

Any other suggestions besides these?

Anyone have an idea of the cost for renting and getting tanks filled?

Sharpe
01-09-2014, 09:05 AM
Buy a Victor. **** that Chinese crap. Higher-end torches and regulators are rebuildable so if you buy used and its ****ed you aren't completely out on your ass. I love used tools but I bought my Victor torch kit brand new. A 125 CF oxy tank is ~$15 to fill. Acetylene is $40 or so.

BroncoJo
01-09-2014, 09:09 AM
Most victors are made in china now...

tommy53002
01-09-2014, 09:38 AM
From what I have been reading, the "victor style" torches use Victor replacement parts so i should be able use victor parts when needed. I prefer to buy made in USA but for a tool that i will not use very often, it is hard to justify spending double.....

I will probably stay away from the harbor frieght torch. I read that it accepts victor tips (usually), but I don't think the rest of the torch uses victor parts.

Shaggy
01-09-2014, 10:06 AM
any gauge is fine. Get the larger victor torch. I have both small and large one. The large one cuts several times faster and will cause you much less frustration. Renting bottles is the way to go at first but in the long run they pay for themselves in 3 years if you buy versus rent. Also think of what size bottle you get, because some places don't keep smaller bottles in stock and it is a pain in the butt to swap them out.

KrazyKarl02
01-09-2014, 11:39 AM
I have a victor torch that was good, but crapped out on me. The parts to fix it (mixer barrell) are as much as the Harbor Freight Torch, so I bought a harbor freight torch. It is a piece of junk. The valves on it are ****ty, the tips suck, it does not cut as accurately, all in all it is a bad chinese knock off. Stick with Victor.

JB
01-09-2014, 11:40 AM
Would this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Victor-0384-2646-Series-Heavy-Welding/dp/B004TNLFGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389285530&sr=8-1&keywords=victor+torch

BroncoJo
01-09-2014, 11:59 AM
Would this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Victor-0384-2646-Series-Heavy-Welding/dp/B004TNLFGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389285530&sr=8-1&keywords=victor+torch

I'm pretty certain that's not made in the US, even though the answers say it is.


I have a small craftsman (smith built I think) that's at least 20 years old and it always worked fine for me.

tommy53002
01-09-2014, 01:25 PM
Would this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Victor-0384-2646-Series-Heavy-Welding/dp/B004TNLFGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389285530&sr=8-1&keywords=victor+torch

Looks like a good deal. I'm going to read some reviews on the victor "cutskill" torch.

I found this one. It's a Victor for $175 but I am reading it is made in China.
http://store.cyberweld.com/viwecuoufi25.html

JB
01-09-2014, 01:37 PM
The reviews on Amazon on the one I linked, which is a Cutskill, are all good.

Sharpe
01-09-2014, 05:29 PM
I have an old craftsman torch kit that I used for years. I always had trouble finding tips for it and then one day it started shooting flames out of the side of the acetylene regulator so I retired it and bought the victor. It is decent quality but I couldn't find parts for it in kingsville so I moved on.

robertf03
01-09-2014, 05:42 PM
I also have an old craftsman torch kit. It is still in the box. I'll probably buy a ****ty harbor freight plasma cutter before buying bottles.

Seth
01-09-2014, 08:32 PM
I see some decent deals on the list for Victor stuff semi regularly. That's the way I would go but I have one already.

colman
01-09-2014, 10:26 PM
If you buy used bottles check the hydro dates and make sure they are owner bottles not owned by a welding supply shop

RCcola55
01-09-2014, 11:20 PM
I only buy victor. Find you a used torch and regulator set and take it to the local welding supply house and have it all rebuilt. The new economy line victors have a weird mixer handle and the regulators seem cheap.

Seth
01-10-2014, 11:58 PM
Saw some victor on the list. complete journeyman setup for 350?

tommy53002
01-11-2014, 11:26 AM
I went by a local pawn shop and they had a new looking victor torch and radnor gauges. I think I can get them for $200.
It has this cutting attachment.
http://m.cyberweld.com/vicuatcahedu.html
I don't know what "mixer" (the bottom piece) it has but it says victor on it too.
I haven't ever heard of the Radnor gauges. Are they good?

They are asking $119 for the torch and $109 for the pair of gauges.

tommy53002
01-11-2014, 12:38 PM
I went to my local welding supply store and asked about renting the tanks but they will only rent tanks to customers with an account... They would sell me tanks for $450.

So I'm going back to Craigslist to look for a complete setup with tanks or just tanks by themselves.

tommy53002
01-11-2014, 01:22 PM
This seems like a good deal. I contacted the seller so we will see....

Jesse James Oxy/Acetylene Victor Journeyman Owner Tanks 549

http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/4238627556.html

Shaggy
01-12-2014, 06:59 PM
Setup an account only takes a day or two

Sharpe
01-12-2014, 07:37 PM
Tanks

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/tls/4272809277.html

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/tls/4272778104.html

tommy53002
01-12-2014, 08:01 PM
If this guy can meet, I'm going to buy this setup tomorrow.
http://houston.craigslist.org/for/4283056214.html

Edit: I'm meeting the guy tonight.

tommy53002
01-12-2014, 10:16 PM
Paid $380. I need to get the acetylene tank filled tomorrow. Hopefully that goes off without a hitch.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/13/ze7uhyvy.jpg

One of the torches looks like it has never been used. I will try the both and sell which we one I like least.

RCcola55
01-13-2014, 07:04 AM
Why not keep both? I like having two mixer sizes around for heating and welding purposes.

DRAGOONRANCH
01-13-2014, 03:10 PM
Having a dedicated rosebud would be nice! The welding stores will have T's you could put on the gauges.

Shaggy
01-13-2014, 04:29 PM
or put quick releases on you hose and guns that way only one hose needed

eight
01-16-2014, 08:06 AM
I prefer the small torch size, I cut straighter with it. Also used the 00 size tips for anything from 16ga up to 3/8", have used it on 1" and it works. Now that I deal with thicker iron I use the 0 size tips. I get a cleaner cut with the small tips.

AggieTJ2007
01-16-2014, 04:42 PM
I prefer a larger torch with a #3 tip in it at all time. You can hold the torch farther away from the material or angle it for quick, strait cuts on then material.

Then again I am not the one buying the gas

Edit: Almost all of my experience is using propane/natural gas instead of accetlyne