Oxy-Acetylene Recommendations?

Caver Dave

Caver Dave

Just holdin' it down here in BFV
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Mar 10, 2005
Location
Hooterville (24171)
While it's been about 45 years :flipoff2: since I've touched one, I believe I (OK, rusted ass, bent up equipment) could benefit from an O-A rig.
Main use will be occasional heating tasks, liquifying wholes into separates (cutting 1/2" max), and joining (weld/braze), but also see the potential/benefit to should something break far away from the MIG in the shop (transport it to the other side of the property vs. dragging broken crap to shop).

While I certainly can't justify the need for a Victor Journeyman/other "pro-duty" rigs, would like something that's affordable and common enough that parts aren't an issue/rebuildable if needed... which appears to rule out the scores of NON-Victor/Harris/Smith branded Chineeseum junk/variants.

Hoping @WARRIORWELDING @Mac5005 @XJsavage or anyone that uses regularly may be able to make a recommend?

I do have my Grandads(?) ancient Victor 100(?) torch handle (looks like a toy). Unfortunately, the cutting head is gone (only a very sickly brazing tip), the hose is cracked, and regulators covered in grinder dust (the way I received them). Would be happy to use it, but would be leery without getting it (regulators) professionally checked out/rebuilt... not sure it's worth the hassle?? Whether I'd rent or purchase bottles is up in the air too...
 
Victor or Smith here.

Smith is now a Miller brand. No luck getting warranty on old lifetime units. I've tried.

If I'm not mistaken Victor is now owned by ESAB. I have heard good and bad.

Flametech is a brand Ive heard a lot about. A lot on Instagram and YouTube. Supposed to be American made down Texas way. I've had some good convo with the tech department. I can't confirm or deny if they outsource to other countries.

I know for a fact Miller/Smith and ESAB/Victor do.

I like my older Smith and my newer Smith.
 
Well FFS! While its been a LONG time since I put eyes on it, turns out it isn't a Victor, but an even older (lighter duty) Airco 700 handle...


I guess we'll mark it down to old age/worsening eyes? :flipoff2:
 

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Victor stuff here. Mainly use my dads old pluming/refrig setup, as I don’t own a big set.
Had trouble with smith lifetime stuff at school and 2014-5 switched everything out for victor stuff there.

I always wore gloves with the smith stuff... if that tells you where some of the issue were
 
Caver Dave said:
Well FFS! While its been a LONG time since I put eyes on it, turns out it isn't a Victor, but an even older (lighter duty) Airco 700 handle...


I guess we'll mark it down to old age/worsening eyes? :flipoff2:
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Put your feelers out on eBay to see what that one you got is worth to collectors. Or better yet, use it. If it's worth an insane amount of money to a collector, sell it and buy brand new stuff.
 
Cut my teeth welding on Airco stuff. I dig Airco anything "if" it works. Torches are kinda cool to hang up,on your into that stuff. If you still have the regulators I get they are stiff and brittle. I wouldn't trust them.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Cut my teeth welding on Airco stuff. I dig Airco anything "if" it works. Torches are kinda cool to hang up,on your into that stuff. If you still have the regulators I get they are stiff and brittle. I wouldn't trust them.
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Regulators are "crusty" at best... and while it appears rebuild parts are available, would likely run more $$ than new and be questionable?

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I bought one of these kits from HF like back in the early 2000's. Still works great. Not sure of the quality now 20 years later.
www.harborfreight.com

Heavy Duty Oxygen and Acetylene Welding Kit

Amazing deals on this Heavy Duty Oxygen And Acetylene Welding Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
 
I've got a craftsman branded harris set I've been using for the last 40 years. Happy camper.
 
tknopp said:
I bought one of these kits from HF like back in the early 2000's. Still works great. Not sure of the quality now 20 years later.
www.harborfreight.com

Heavy Duty Oxygen and Acetylene Welding Kit

Amazing deals on this Heavy Duty Oxygen And Acetylene Welding Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
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Every time I go to use mine I have to buy new hoses.
 
Well, after only 2.5 years :flipoff2:scored a BNIB Harris med. duty set in a Lincoln bag for 1/2 what they sell for now... guessing it was just after they were acquired?

Anyways, will ring up the Harris tech line next week for oxy-propane cutting tip & rosebud recommendations... then lease an O2 bottle locally, and built a cart. Can finally make some headway on sharpening/repairs on my "antique" bushhog!

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Caver Dave said:
Well, after only 2.5 years :flipoff2:scored a BNIB Harris med. duty set in a Lincoln bag for 1/2 what they sell for now... guessing it was just after they were acquired?

Anyways, will ring up the Harris tech line next week for oxy-propane cutting tip & rosebud recommendations... then lease an O2 bottle locally, and built a cart. Can finally make some headway on sharpening/repairs on my "antique" bushhog!

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I would buy the bottles. When I bought mine after 2 years of leasing it made more sense to own.
 
jeepyjman said:
I would buy the bottles. When I bought mine after 2 years of leasing it made more sense to own.
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I own multiples. Unless your filling multiples a week go ownership......and they used to have some sort of law you could only exchange with the parent company. Doesn't exist anymore. I can go to any welding gas supplier. If in a bind go to Northern Tool or my local O'Reilly's. The price isn't much different.
You can get tips for Mapp, Propane, and Acetylene. Guys who do huge pre heats and out West like propane for the cost. It doesn't get the same cut temps and uses a lot more gas to do so. But you can run your grill and big ol weed burners. I use a weed burner for really big preheats. Mapp is non existent.
Acetylene is the hottest cutting, brazing, welding gas. Requires vertical storage. It's runs my torch.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
I own multiples. Unless your filling multiples a week go ownership
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Just talked to my local gas supplier (actually backwoods hardware store, with wooden floors... and a deli)... they don't lease, only sell.
Said a 165cf(?) O2 bottle was the largest they have at $250 and $40 fills/swaps... interested to see how that aligns with others in civilization?
 
Not sure on oxy bottles but I paid more from Airgas for my 75-25 argon tank. Looks like a good price.
 
Tom@Hilltop_Machine said:
I like 80 sized bottles just for the convenient size of them. Totting around anything larger can be challenging.
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Agreed. I sold a bunch of big ol bottles on FB a few months ago because it wasn't worth the headache of using them. (and most of them were out of date)
 
I own the largest you can get. I use a lot more than the average Joe though. You'll find me using the cutting torch faster than breaking out my plasma cutter. I'd have to check on my prices but it is so competitive I doubt he's very far off.
 
Tom@Hilltop_Machine said:
I like 80 sized bottles just for the convenient size of them. Totting around anything larger can be challenging.
Click to expand...
jeepinmatt said:
Agreed. I sold a bunch of big ol bottles on FB a few months ago because it wasn't worth the headache of using them. (and most of them were out of date)
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Tell us you're getting "soft", without telling us... 🤣 (kidding, kidding!)
Sounds like I need to wrestle a couple to find the balance between CF/capacity to required arse-power ratio
WARRIORWELDING said:
I own the largest you can get. I use a lot more than the average Joe though. You'll find me using the cutting torch faster than breaking out my plasma cutter. I'd have to check on my prices but it is so competitive I doubt he's very far off.
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My use (hopefully) will be very "occasional"... mainly heating chores for bending, rust busting, etc. (that smaller propane ain't touching) and cutting needs not handled by death wheels/plasma cutter...

The Harris folks were VERY helpful. They recommended a couple propane/NG cutting tips based on material thickness and when asked about a rosebud, said the cutting tips are larger flow than the largest available "rosebud"
 
Caver Dave said:
Tell us you're getting "soft", without telling us... 🤣 (kidding, kidding!)
Sounds like I need to wrestle a couple to find the balance between CF/capacity to required arse-power ratio

My use (hopefully) will be very "occasional"... mainly heating chores for bending, rust busting, etc. (that smaller propane ain't touching) and cutting needs not handled by death wheels/plasma cutter...

The Harris folks were VERY helpful. They recommended a couple propane/NG cutting tips based on material thickness and when asked about a rosebud, said the cutting tips are larger flow than the largest available "rosebud"
Click to expand...
Because the btu output of propane is less then Acetylene. Remember cutting requires getting metal to the oxidation temp. Fancy for burning......then oxidizer is introduced to cause the continuous chemical reaction to make the cut. It is then focused and moves. The often misunderstood process because you are not melting and blowing liquid out of the way.
Propane or NG requires higher pressure/flow settings this larger tip does and designs. The trade of is higher consumption at a slightly lower purchase price per cubic foot of gas. I use cubic foot because flow meters register in volume and gauges set at pressure....not gpm or such even though both are liquid in storage.

Edit: without remembering or looking up the data....by comparison plasma is raw heat from ions charged in a air rich electrified environment. It cuts literally from the intense heat well above oxifuel methods. The tips are often mostly air cooled and in some situations water cooled but it is a completely different heat zone and animal of comparison. I prefer oxi often for simplicity and it is a softer heat. It edges are no carbonized and can be cleaned often with chipping slag and a file. Filing plasma edges is futile until you get through the heat affected barrier, thin but very hard.
 
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