OT Cutting Torch

[Kevin in MN]

I'm looking for a economical (cheap) cutting torch set, This kind of looks like what I want for size and price. Anybody have any recommendations?



http://www.external_link/welding-me...ne-welding-and-cutting-tote-torch-kit-3862540

 

[Dunk]

(quoted from post at 19:49:11 08/02/09) I'm looking for a economical (cheap) cutting torch set, This kind of looks like what I want for size and price. Anybody have any recommendations?



http://www.external_link/welding-me...ne-welding-and-cutting-tote-torch-kit-3862540

Those are great as long as you don't need to use them much or often, and only for small jobs.

Then they will dollar you to death, any other way.

My recommendation, unless you really need portable (for welding refrigeration lines and the such) is to buy you a good set of torches, by their selves.

Then a propane bottle, one like on yer grill will do great. I have a 100 pound bottle, lasts me for years.

And an Oxy bottle, an owners one.

The gas will last you long time, big boy.

Oh yeah, make sure you get propane tips for the cutting torch.

 

[Sean (TX)]

(quoted from post at 18:49:11 08/02/09) I'm looking for a economical (cheap) cutting torch set, This kind of looks like what I want for size and price. Anybody have any recommendations?



http://www.external_link/welding-me...ne-welding-and-cutting-tote-torch-kit-3862540

I have a small setup like that..Good for small jobs....It sucks but when you get it you have to exchange those brand new bottles.Not to mention they need to be certified....Its not cheap to get into it...Find a used set that has certified tanks. I exchange mine at TSC...Going to shop around for a better price..

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 18:49:11 08/02/09) I'm looking for a economical (cheap) cutting torch set, This kind of looks like what I want for size and price. Anybody have any recommendations?



http://www.external_link/welding-me...ne-welding-and-cutting-tote-torch-kit-3862540

As the others have said - the torch and regulators are not expensive - roughly $150. The cylinders are were the bucks start to add up. The cylinders on that portable torch unit won't give you much burn time and they are expensive to refill. Go to a good welding supply and price the PURCHASE of some medium size cylinders - probably about $300. I leased a couple for a while and the break even point is about 3 years. I use acetylene - a little more effiecient and expensive - some like propane because it's cheaper and easier to get. Once you own a couple cylinders the yearly price for gases is not very great unless you are doing a lot off cutting. I refill mine maybe once a year - $100+

TOH

 

[Paul in MN]

Kevin,

Like the others who have responded, I long ago began using the LP grill bottle and a purchased oxygen clyinder. The LP/Oxy flame is good for heating and bending, flame cutting, and brazing on thin stock. It will not be good for welding steel or aluminum...just not quite enough heat. The 20 lb LP bottle lasts at least 2 years and is easy to get refilled (or exchanged) even on Sunday. Both the newer bottles and the older non-safety bottles have the same internal left hand thread that your fuel regulator is fitted with. So no extra cost there. I use the same heating/welding tips that are used for acetylene, but the flame may be more easily blown off the tip if you are working outside. Your cutting torch needs a different tip for cutting with LP (about $10). All the other stuff is the same as you use with acetylene.

As to the Victor set you have shown, certainly it is not a bad unit, it is good quality. But because you will probably only buy one torch set in your lifetime, you should go to a real welding store and try it out. My preference is the lighter weight Smith "airline" series torch. It is smaller, but will still cut 3/4" thick steel and do all the other stuff I want out of it. The "feel" of the Smith torch is preferable to my hand. I like its balance better than the Victor. The Smith has flashback arrestors built into the torch head and the regulators. I do not know about the Victor and how they handle that issue. Most older torches have no such safety system, and the cheap imports I do not trust.

You will love what a torch can do for you, and I hope you find the one you really like. But do not settle for the small bottles unless you need the portability. They are a real suck-hole for $$.

I do recommend Toll welding here in the TC metro area, but there are also other very good suppliers.

Remember to study up on the safety issues before you get started.

Paul in MN

 

[BillM (OH)]

I have had one of those for many years. Works well for solder jobs and applying fire wrench where you have to have a portable outfit. Will braze and cut as well, but good for small jobs only - like when you have to haul it out to the field to cut off a bolt, etc. I don't use mine a lot, but it sure comes in handy to have around. If you get into some serious work, you can get the big cylinders. I have never tried oxy/propane - oxy/acetylene is much hotter and cuts better.

 

[Kevin in MN]

A couple people have mentioned how the small tanks can eat up $, the little checking I did today looks like I can exchange the MC tank for $16-18 and the R tank for $7-10 at various places in the twin cities. That really doesn't sound that bad. Am I misisng something?

Kevin

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 20:22:21 08/03/09) A couple people have mentioned how the small tanks can eat up $, the little checking I did today looks like I can exchange the MC tank for $16-18 and the R tank for $7-10 at various places in the twin cities. That really doesn't sound that bad. Am I misisng something?

Kevin

The price for the gas is going to be pretty much the same - $$ per cu ft. But at least around here you get tagged with a cylinder handling fee and hazardous materials charges every time a cylinder goes through the system. And are they exchanges or refills? Refills of customer owned cylinders is a week turn around for me.

The biggest drawback is really the limited burn time on the cylinders. A #1 cutting tip (1/4" plate) will consume about 90 cf of oxygen per hour and about 15 cf of acetylene. Your MC is 40 cf, the R is 10. So you'll get about 20-30 minutes of cutting time with those cylinders. That may sound like a lot but you'll be surprised how quickly it disappears. But if all you have is the rare need for a torch it may be just fine.

TOH

 

[gahorN]

I bought Campbell Hausfeld torch kit for $180 at a lumber supply then returned it for the identical unit sold at TSC for $140 and then returned it for the identical unit (all are made in Chink-land) at the chineese tool store for $99. I bought their bottle-cart for $40.
I bought outright, full sized bottles for $240 from the local welding supply. These can be exchanged for the price of the gases only and no need to be responsible for bottle/hydrostatic inspections. The full sized bottles last for hours. The torches have lasted for over 8 years. They include antiflashback check valves.
I am happy, and so will you be.