O/A Setup for mechanic's service truck

[10Speed]

I have been looking for a new O/A torch setup. Torch, reg, hose, tips in a tool box. Is there noticable differences b/w brands or just preference. What is the difference b/w the low end kits up to the what they call a Heavy duty kit.

I will mainly use it to cut 1/8" to 1/4" but I never know when I may need to cut through 1/2" to 1" steel. Occasionally use it for brazing and heating components. The set will spend most of its time in the back of the service truck.

I have always used my dad's or the shop's setup, so what is the difference in regulator sizes mentioned on the torch kits and if there is a difference what bottles do they work on and what do they look like.

Thanks

[hankj]

I wouldn't go for a tool-box (porta-torch) rig. The bottles are too small, and expensive to fill.

In today's world, I think the best engineered, safest product is from Smith. The"mix in the tip" technology virtually eliminated a possibility of backfire, and the quality is excellent.

I own two Victor rigs, and I like them fine. Still, I would buy a Smith if I ever need a new outfit.

As for sizes and types of regulators, the larger the size, the more gas volume it will handle. There are two-stange and single stage varieties. Single stage is usually adequate for most applications.

In cases where long hose runs and prolonged operation are necessary, then two-stage regulators work best.

O/A regulators are standardized to work on cylinders of the appropriate size for the torch equipment. Mini-regulators won't fit directly on large gas cylinders, and big regulators won't fit directly on small cylinders!

Hope this helps you out.

Hank

[MAC702]

...O/A regulators are standardized to work on cylinders of the appropriate size for the torch equipment. Mini-regulators won't fit directly on large gas cylinders, and big regulators won't fit directly on small cylinders!

I must be misunderstanding something. I have a Harris Port-a-torch and use it (and its regulators) more often from large cylinders as a second rig. It is rare that I attach it to the small backpack bottles.

[hankj]

I must be misunderstanding something. I have a Harris Port-a-torch and use it (and its regulators) more often from large cylinders as a second rig. It is rare that I attach it to the small backpack bottles.

LIB!

Went out and took the SR-5's off of my mini-rig, and yup, they would go right onto my 150 O² and 145 C²H² jugs!

Some days, ya just can't get it right!:o

Hank

[10Speed]

Let me clarify myself, I did not mean I wanted to buy the little porta torch that will run out of fuel before I get the metal hot, I meant the the new torch packages that come in a little plastic or stainless steel looking toolbox, like the ones they sell in the tool box aisle at home depot or lowes.

What do they mean when the say medium, heavy duty, journeymen, etc. How do I tell if I am getting a good heavy duty torch that will last.

By the way the reason I am looking at the tool box set is so my regulators and torch components don't get trashed when the sledge hammers, 3/4 impact and sockets are moving around in the truck.

I don't need tanks b/c I already have multiple tanks of acetylene and oxygen that I can use through work, I think the acetylene is around 80-100 and the oxygen looks about twice the size.

Thanks again.

[hankj]

The only way I know to be sure of the quality and longevity of anything you buy off of a tool rack is to buy brand name stuff.

Harris, Victor, and Smith are the big three. The big regional favorite here seems to be Victor.

Hank

[vicegrip]

By the way the reason I am looking at the tool box set is so my regulators and torch components don't get trashed when the sledge hammers, 3/4 impact and sockets are moving around in the truck.

Very good point.
Something in my last move took-out the read-out on my favorite calculator.:mad:
Wouldn't want that fate for the O/A gear.

Thanks again.


The only way I know to be sure of the quality and longevity of anything you buy off of a tool rack is to buy brand name stuff.

Harris, Victor, and Smith are the big three. The big regional favorite here seems to be Victor.

Hank


Buy a cheap toilet, a 'spencive one will flush no better.
Get the Best O/A gear.;)

vg

[cope]

My vote goes to the Victor Journeyman or something similar, but your best bet is to check your LWS, what does he have tips on hand for? Smith is great quality, but the LWSs I have been to in Houston don't carry consumables for anything except Victor.

[Ehart]

I have a couple sets of Victor gauges and several Victor Torches.Which work good. However I think some of the new Victor are over priced. I have looked at the Smith brand and they seem like they might work good. I would think you could get buy with the medium duty and be all right. My supplier told me there is not alot of difference in capicity from Medium to large it is more in being able to repair them. He said most people have been buying the medium and just replacing them when they go bad. I usally run medium and I am running right at 100' of hose and don't seem to have any problems

[MAC702]

Define overpriced. Where are you looking?

[10Speed]

I was considering the victor journeyman set. Both LWS in the area carry the set for a decent price and have every imaginable part/tip for the set.

Does everyone agree there is not much of a difference b/w the med and heavy duty sets. I only want to buy a torch set and would rather spend the extra money now and not later.

The hd set seemed like it came with larger tips than the medium duty but the medium duty has options for the same sized tips, sold seperately.

[MAC702]

Using the proper tips (and a big enough acetylene cylinder) you can cut like 8-inch steel with the medium, and 12" steel with the journeyman. Like we're ever going to do that.

I'd have bought the Victor Super Range had it not been for the smoking deal I got on a Victor Journeyman at the time.

I agree with Hank. I'd probably get a Smith if I was starting all over, but Victor is supported in my area, and it's all my dad ever used, so Victor it is for me.

[oldtimer]

I'll just offer one comment and it is based on experience. If you buy Victor and take care of it it will last longer than you will. Bought a Victor in 1970, it wore me out and now my son has it and is using it every day in his business.

[hankj]

I'll just offer one comment and it is based on experience. If you buy Victor and take care of it it will last longer than you will. Bought a Victor in 1970, it wore me out and now my son has it and is using it every day in his business.

The same can be said of Smith and Harris. There are a lot of old Airco (ESAB?) rigs out there, too. Quality stuff lasts!:p

Hank

[dsw]

As far as cutting goes, the combo torches that replace the welding tips are not bad for certain things. I used one for years. However a dedicated cutting torch allows me alot more options. I don't think one of these comes in any set. I could be wrong about that though.

As far as heating, I often heat with the dedicated cutting torch to get a narrow area hot fast. You need to use a little care. For larger jobs I skip all the welding tips and just go to a rosebud. You will comsume large quantities of gas but it heats large areas fast. Some kits have a rosebud included but many do not.

[Craig in Denver]

You're buying this for a lifetime, saving money up front isn't worth it. Don't by cheap tools; you'll get to cuss them, every time you use them, for the rest of your life. Harris, Smith or Victor. I can still buy parts for my 1975 Harris.

[J Hall]

I have Victor, Purox and Smith. But the one I have kept in my truck for over twenty years is a Smith.

Similar to this: http://enet.smithequipment.com/public/docs/BLItemDossier.asp?Item=MD%2D300T&PLID=&Country=

[WAK]

Seems to me that the last time this was debated,Victor came out on top. Now Smith seems to have the edge. Is Smith doing something new to their equipment, or is it cost?

[hankj]

Generally, Smith rigs are more expensive than Victor, but Smith now uses a technology that eliminates the gas mixer in the torch handle.

Gases are mixed right in the tip of the new Smith cutting torches, which virtually eliminates the chance of a backfire.

Hank

[MAC702]

Having never used anything other than a Victor (or its Cigweld equivalent here in PNG) in my life, let me ask this, what are we calling a "backfire?"

[hankj]

Mac,

Mayhap it is called a "flashback" - I never can keep those two separated. In any case, it's a burnback into the mixing chamber, accompanied by a high-pitched whistling sound.

It can't happen in a Smith cutting attachment!

Actually, I've only experienced the phenomenon once, and that was while trying to weld in an inside corner. Just got too hot.

Hank

[MAC702]

I probably don't use it often enough or for long enough to have noticed. Plus, I've never used a Smith, so I'd like to someday and then maybe I'll recognize what it is when it doesn't happen!

Is this something that's damaging to the torch, or just a bang, and you get mad?

[hankj]

The "bang and you get mad" is a backfire. No biggie.

Flashback actually results in a fire inside your torch handle, which, if allowed to continue, could damage the equipment. An unusual but possible scenario is a fire in the hoses, regulator, and cylinder from an unchecked flashback.

Hank

[Rocky D]

I probably don't use it often enough or for long enough to have noticed. Plus, I've never used a Smith, so I'd like to someday and then maybe I'll recognize what it is when it doesn't happen!

Is this something that's damaging to the torch, or just a bang, and you get mad?

Flashback starts with a pop and then a whistle, the handle gets hot, and you mess you britches trying to find the acetylene valve. It can burn back up the hose, so I've been told, but never seen it happen...but it will cook the "O" rings in the handle and tip.

[MAC702]

Ah, okay. I get lots of pops sometimes (just don't use one everyday to be an expert with it), but haven't had a flashback yet. I do have the arrestors to keep it out of my hoses, though.

[Trent Combs]

The only way I know to be sure of the quality and longevity of anything you buy off of a tool rack is to buy brand name stuff.

Harris, Victor, and Smith are the big three. The big regional favorite here seems to be Victor.

Hank


I'm with Hank on this one - here in Bakersfield, every welding supply house sells Victor and something else. I can walk in to any welding supply and buy anything I need for my Victor SRII. They even sell Victors in those pretty little toolboxes....

Avoid HD/Lowes/WalMart/HF for O/A rigs. Check out online vendors, bought mine at BRWelders, right now Cyberweld is cheaper (http://store.cyberweld.com/visuraiiwecu.html), but check with your local welding suppliers. They often have specials and/or price matches. Buy more torch than you think you need, and remember that it will be controlling a lot of heat in a continuous explosion IN YOUR HAND, so buy a name brand.

[Trent Combs]

EVEN BETTER DEAL - http://item.express.ebay.com/VICTOR-SUPERRANGE-II-WELDING-CUTTING-KIT-0384-0836-N_W0QQitemZ160236776003QQihZ006QQfromsoiZ1QQcmdZEx pressItem

[Blacksmith]

remember that it will be controlling a lot of heat in a continuous explosion IN YOUR HAND, so buy a name brand.[/QUOTE]

That's a good way to look at it. Too often we take our safety for granted in the search for a good price without considering what stands between us and a lot of pain.