Finding a New AcetyleneTorchset

[Anonymous-0]

Been trying to buy a torch for cutting and some welding. Can't go up to $200 for a new set and I can't find a complete used Harris set. Found this one on fleabay. It's a cheapey but complete and would probably take care of me for as little as I'd use it. Thoughts? Recommendations? Does anyone know where a guy could get a used Harris set?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sorry, here's the link and a picture of the one I want. Thanks!

Fleabay torch set

 

[Dan Swanson]

I bought my son a set just like these from Cummins Tools for $100.00 a couple of years ago. He has used it to build several derby cars and the such and has had no problems. He isnt one be kind to a torch and they seem to stand up O.K. for the money spent.I look at this way, $75.00 for a full set, if a regualtor goes bad throw it away and buy a new torch set and have the extra stuff too. Still cheaper than just the cost of a Smith regulator. My 2 cents.

Later, Dan

 

[chvet73]

Do yourself a favor and buy a Victor 100 set up. Great torch and more parts available than any other brand.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If I could afford a new set of any brand I would've gotten it already.

 

[RodinNS]

I've had little sets like that. I think one of them was a harris. The biggest problem I had was those little hoses. When you get a chance, chuck em and get a goos set of 5/16 or larger hoses. The regs and the body will probably flow fine, but the little hoses lose too much pressure for much heavy cutting. Otherwise it's a good enough set. I just find that I had to run quite high gas pressures to get any heat out of a big tip. I also use propane, so that necessitates a higher pressure anyway...

Rod

 

[Anonymous-0]

I don't use one a heck of a lot, but sometimes when a job calls for it, or I've got to fabricate something with steel, the burn/heat time is also important, I hate running out. Aren't these ( one in the photo ) in the 10 cu. ft. size ?

I've got 2 torch rigs set up, made one up for our other place, but brought it back home, (people stealing things like my dads chainsaw, be nice if the law allowed one to use a rosebud on a thief) and I think these are in the 20 cu ft. range, tanks are about waist high, oxy tank is taller.

I get enough burn/heat time out of these, smaller size would really be inconvienent having to refill at the wrong time like a sunday afternoon or in a remote place, so the tank size would concern me. Never knew that the smaller hose and set up may not perform like the next size up like mine, in the heat dept, using smith regulators on both of mine, I think they would also work on full size tanks, they look the same, in '02 got both pairs of new regulators for $100 each pair. The full size tanks are just too big and bulky , best left for a service truck or in a shop, the smaller size like mine is handy to take somewhere, half the weight but enought burn time.

The first torch set I had I actually made up from old regulators, hoses, torch handle I had in an old gangbox, it was so handy and wanting to be safe I upgraded to new regulators, but had a bucket full of em from early 80's contracting days, had the torch handles already, welding supply house had a sale, and I had been buying thousands of dollars of supplies for the company I worked for, got a good deal and set up another rig, definitely happy with this size, a friend was looking at one of those at tsc and I talked him out of it, said a.) I've got a spare rig if you ever need it, just pay for the gas b.) for the money I spent on each with all the little accessories tips and cleaners, it's a really nice set up with enough burn/heat time you won't run out. I'm sure the prices have gone up, but it's nice to wait and get what will serve you best.

I would be interested in hearing any additional comments about those small sets too.


One thing I have found real handy for lower heating type jobs, is the B tank like a plumber/fitter uses for soldering, I have one that does not have the arrangement that makes all that noise like they use, but a single guage and small torch handle, it is efficient for jobs requiring lesser heat, dull red, post & preheat when welding, the tank lasts a long time, don't have to use the oxy/acetylene unless it needs to be glowing red hot or you have to cut. The B tank, acetylene only, seems much hotter than propane or mapp gas, I use it a lot when doing brake jobs.

 

[Ken 46]

I have ended up with two sets of hoses, regulators and torches - if you are interested?? I can check this evening on the brands.
e. mail is always open.

Thanks - Ken

 

[dlplost]

looks like a harris copy, should work fine.
Also to save money look into a propane tip for it, yes they sell them.
With propane you get a lower max temp so it takes more time to pre heat your cuts, but I can RR track with mine no problem, just need to pre heat the cut longer.
Propane is dirt cheap compared to acetylene.

 

[Walt Davies]

They don't come with tanks so that's a mute thing. he can get what ever size tank he wants.
the only thing I have found is that the gauges leak after a while and then you have to replace them or watch what you are doing never let them stand with pressure on them for any length of time.
Walt

 

[Anonymous-0]

Overlooked that detail, just regulators, hose and torch handle, but I think the ones we saw in tsc did have tanks, that's where I got the 10 cu. ft. figure, was helping his dad build a hayrack and had to go to that store, they (TSC) are kind of lacking to say the least, seeing those small tanks, I was thinking if one was doing any serious cutting or heating, the tanks were just a bit small, you may end up short on burn time.

 

[KEB1]

If you're anywhere near a big city, look on the local Craigslist. Always lots of that kind of stuff for sale.

Keith

 

[Anonymous-0]

I must have at least five sets of regulators and hoses and other than one new set I don't recal paying over ten to fifteen dollars for any of the rest at auctions.

Like others have said don't let it cross your mind to burn anything but LP. I refill my own LP so the cost is next to nothing. Oxygen on the other hand is a real kick in the rear.

 

[dave guest]

Check inspection dates on tank. If out of date, you have to pay for pressure testing and reinspection, cost about $50 last time I did it in Mich.

 

[RodinNS]

I still have the baby tanks like that too if I need them for some miserable spot that I've got to drag gear into. That's what I started with... but when I realised that I could fill a large oxygen for the same price as the wee one and get 17 times the gas..... well that was a no brainer for me. If you use 1-3 small bottles a year that pays the contract on the big one. I use propane so that I don't need a contract on the acetylene. A 20# tank lasts a year or more and that's often 10+ large bottles of oxygen.
You can use the little bottles up in about an hour, so you do the math...

Rod