Cutting torches
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 241
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From: Gallatin, TN
Cutting torches
Hey all. I'm looking to buy a cutting torch. I've used them for years at work, but never had a shop at my house to work with one- until now.
I found a Victor torch set tonight at Tractor Supply. It includes hoses, regulators, the torch head, a couple of tips, a cart, and tanks. They aren't full size tanks, but they're larger than the 'portable tanks. I'd guess they might be 50 pound tanks?
Has anyone seen this set? Is $649.00 a decent deal? Is there anything else I need to know before buying a torch set?
Thanks!
I found a Victor torch set tonight at Tractor Supply. It includes hoses, regulators, the torch head, a couple of tips, a cart, and tanks. They aren't full size tanks, but they're larger than the 'portable tanks. I'd guess they might be 50 pound tanks?
Has anyone seen this set? Is $649.00 a decent deal? Is there anything else I need to know before buying a torch set?
Thanks!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
That seems kind of high priced. I would go to your local welding supplier and ask what kind of deals they have on torch sets. I'm betting they can beat that price and get you some better equipment.
Ask if they have Harris torches and compare them to the Victor. The Victor Journeyman is a very good torch, but for the medium sized torches you are looking at, the Harris is a better torch at a better value. Victor is pricey. I checked into getting a new cutting attachment for our Journeyman at work and ended up deciding to buy a Harris Pipeliner torch with regulators for the same price!
I am very impressed with the Harris. We set it up for propane. You could do that too and only have to buy an oxygen tank. Just use a 5 gal size propane bottle like for a barbeque. Be warned that propane uses up more oxygen for the combustion than acetylene does. You will go through more oxygen, but it's less expensive than propane. It is very conservative on the propane usage.
Ask if they have Harris torches and compare them to the Victor. The Victor Journeyman is a very good torch, but for the medium sized torches you are looking at, the Harris is a better torch at a better value. Victor is pricey. I checked into getting a new cutting attachment for our Journeyman at work and ended up deciding to buy a Harris Pipeliner torch with regulators for the same price!
I am very impressed with the Harris. We set it up for propane. You could do that too and only have to buy an oxygen tank. Just use a 5 gal size propane bottle like for a barbeque. Be warned that propane uses up more oxygen for the combustion than acetylene does. You will go through more oxygen, but it's less expensive than propane. It is very conservative on the propane usage.
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,034
Likes: 2,410
From: NY and VA
You can probably get a better deal at a local welding supply co as horsepuller says. Get hose ( "T" ??)and cutting tip suitable for propane. I've used propane for years and it has been a good investment. Sometimes you can find a set on craigslist cheap. Also take in mind where are you going to get the tanks refilled?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
If you purchase a used unit, suggest it be thru a welding supplier, don't want to be saddled with tanks that are useless. I went thru receipts from 01 and the cost for the tanks were $145 ea. and according to receipt, tank size for oxy. (M) style, and the acetylene (#4), have no ideal if standard tank classification, they are both approx. 4' high. The Victor oxy/acyl package, included cutting torch, and 3 tips, hose, etc. $200, with the cart, another $60. Purchased unit thru welding supplier who also provides air, not sure, perhaps they all do. Found the unit can set for months at a time, purchased of a MIG, now can set even longer, so chose the package where tanks are exchanged and I pay for the refill. Another option would be to rent for small fee. Find unless one has experience, which I do not, for auto body repairs; floor pans, quarter panels, etc. the oxy/acyl setup has its limitations. Anyhow, had an urge to chime in.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 1
From: Moundridge, Kansas
I second that if you are just planning on using it for cutting a plasma would be cheaper in the long run because you don't have to pay for the gas (Oxy, Acyl, Propane).
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 241
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From: Gallatin, TN
Thanks for the advice, y'all. I'm going to stop by the local welding supply shop and see what they can do for me. I'll definitely look into the Harris torches, too.
I'd love to have a plasma cutter, but right now I'm just getting started buying 'shop tools' and a torch would be far more versatile. A plasma cutter isn't too good for heating up stuck nuts and bolts.
Thanks all!
I'd love to have a plasma cutter, but right now I'm just getting started buying 'shop tools' and a torch would be far more versatile. A plasma cutter isn't too good for heating up stuck nuts and bolts.
Thanks all!
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 798
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From: Alma Arkansas
I third the plasma cutter. Torch sets are too costly in the long run to pay off for the DIYT'er I use some pretty nice flame cutting equipment at work every day of the week bug-o, harris, victor and oxweld you name it I've used it. But were I in your position I would buy a good plasma cutter 7 days a week and twice on sunday. Torches at home always seem to have a nasty habit of being out of either gas or oxy just when you need them most
A $20 bernz-o-matic works fine for that.
I've been wrenching on the side for years, so far my big bertha wratchet with 24" handle has been sufficient
WOW! what a great way to make a cool looking bumper with no strength whatsoever. Just make shure you dose the red hot steel with cold water to bring your bend up to it's full potential for brittleness.
please tell me you've never built a cage
A plasma cutter isn't too good for heating up stuck nuts and bolts.
I've been wrenching on the side for years, so far my big bertha wratchet with 24" handle has been sufficient
Quickest way to make a bend in tubing for a bumper is to heat it up and bend it around a 15" rim
please tell me you've never built a cage
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 285
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From: Terre Haute, Indiana
Dont forget to check Ebay, I got lucky and bought a nice set of dual stage regulators for 49.72 with the airco name 2 years ago.
These dual stage ones new are around 300.00 for each regulator.
I already had the torch and hose, I purchased a set of "Q" sized tanks at the welding shop for 120.00 each filled.
I also picked up the Henrob/Cobra kit that was on demo at the F100 show in Knoxville last year, this kit was some of the best money I have spent on tools for a long time and I have used it alot.
There is one for sale on Ebay right now with 12 hours left, the link is below.
Henrob MK IV OXY-ACETYLENE welding-cutting torch - eBay (item 230239859785 end time Apr-13-08 08:40:22 PDT)
These dual stage ones new are around 300.00 for each regulator.
I already had the torch and hose, I purchased a set of "Q" sized tanks at the welding shop for 120.00 each filled.
I also picked up the Henrob/Cobra kit that was on demo at the F100 show in Knoxville last year, this kit was some of the best money I have spent on tools for a long time and I have used it alot.
There is one for sale on Ebay right now with 12 hours left, the link is below.
Henrob MK IV OXY-ACETYLENE welding-cutting torch - eBay (item 230239859785 end time Apr-13-08 08:40:22 PDT)
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Springfield,IL
I got real lucky 2 years ago when my wife went to a garage sale and found a used torch set.It was a complete set-up w/ Smith torch and red bud tip and different size brazing tips,Full size tanks that were 3/4 full......all for $200.The seller held them for me until I got off work to look at them.Need-less to say I was estatic.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,350
Likes: 4,384
From: SW VA
Go to Ebay for your torch sets and tanks. I got 80cu-ft tanks for about $280 shipped, and Victor SuperRange II torch set for $247 shipped.
Be careful with the Victor torches. They are cheaply made, and will crack if you over-tighten the valves or hoses. Mine did
I'm going to replace mine with Smith's someday...
Be careful with the Victor torches. They are cheaply made, and will crack if you over-tighten the valves or hoses. Mine did
I'm going to replace mine with Smith's someday...
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 77
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OVER TIGHTENING being the key word there.There is nothing wrong with Victor.In my experience Victors last longer than Smiths do.Ive probably used 50 different sets of torches 3/4 of them were Victors and the rest were Smith/Harris.No torch set lasts very long when you are over tightening stuff,this happens at my work alot.Just cant seem to get people to understand that brass on brass doesnt take 800 ft lbs to seal.
