Oxy-Acetylene (Princess Auto)

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 5, 2005 | 10:45 PM

jacque_strap

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 182

Likes: 0

From: Canada

Oxy-Acetylene (Princess Auto)

Just wondering if anyone had any experience with the oxy-actylene torches from Princess Auto. Are they any good?? Are they safe?? Thanks!

Dec 5, 2005 | 11:08 PM

Beechkid

Moderator

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 6,100

Likes: 380

From: Southern California

I can only suggest this. Caloric & Victor (and craftsman) are the only gauges & torches I would recommend. Although they do have their low-end (disposible) line which I would not recommend, they are the best tools one can purchase for mid-range (home type or moderate duty) use. They are rebuildable (versus the disposibles which are not) and you can keep your eyes on the year of end clearances or used units. Used units are very good buys and even if they need to be rebuilt, gauges run about $60 each and a medium size torches are about $100. I personally bought a set of 1950's Victor gauges & torch years ago from a professional welder who had retired. The gauges had to be rebuilt but I paid $50 for everything...total investment with new hoses was $175. Don't get in a rush......pawn shops and the classifieds are great places to buy oxy-acet gauges & torches!

Dec 7, 2005 | 08:36 AM

Fordzlla

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 800

Likes: 0

From: Ontario, canada

I've got a set of the Victor medium duty clones. I've had them for a year and have never had a problem. Any used torches that I've seen around here are pretty scary looking.

Last edited by Fordzlla; Dec 7, 2005 at 08:41 AM.

Dec 8, 2005 | 06:57 PM

gbadgley

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 302

Likes: 0

You forgot about Smith, they are a heavy duty torch, a little on the expensive side but you get what you pay for. Greg

Dec 9, 2005 | 01:56 PM

built 80 f250

Junior User

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 50

Likes: 0

the ones at princess auto are good i got mine there had em for a month or to before they got stolen though

Dec 10, 2005 | 10:14 AM

mrxlh

Postmaster

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 2,654

Likes: 0

From: Bossier City, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbadgley

You forgot about Smith, they are a heavy duty torch, a little on the expensive side but you get what you pay for. Greg

Also they are lifetime warranty. The Smith is the best torch on the market. Fewest moving parts, the mixer is in the tip, so never gets clogged, ease on trigger makes washing easier. Oh yeah and its chrome too.

Ryan

Dec 10, 2005 | 11:54 AM

T18skyguy

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 675

Likes: 0

From: Springfield, OR

Im an aircraft guy and have used the Smith, which is a fine torch, but I have switched over to the Meco midget which is the smallest most powerful torch you'll ever see. Fits in the palm of your hand, has interchangable tip sizes, and you can put ultrathin lines on it which makes it very light weight. You can see it at a website called Tinmantech. Lots of good metalworking tools there too.