Torch set

[redtom]

My torch set is a Werco brand which when I bought it in 1977 I was told was an entry level brand made by Victor. I don't know if that was true and I don't think Werco is around anymore. Its the medium size set like most available in many stores. Anyways, my hoses are now like wood and likely leaking and oxygen regulator is leaking. I can try to kit the regulator and buy hoses but maybe its time to buy a new set. I see sets at HF and TSC and online, plus the professional grade for much more. Any opinions?

 

[MarkB_MI]

Well, it sounds like you don't have any issues with the torches themselves. Hoses are reasonably cheap to replace and regulators aren't that bad either. If it was me, I'd probably just replace the hoses and regulator. But if you use your torch regularly, it would make sense to go whole hog and buy a complete new set.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I have a Victor set that's at least 40 years old. It never got a lot of use and always stored in unheated buildings. I went to use it last spring and opening the oxy valve I heard a POP and the gauge needle pegged. Thought about a rebuild but everybody I called "sends them out" and available kits varied in parts. Got a new one for $80 with exchange.

 

[Blackhole49]

Just put new hoses on the Harris set I bought in 1970 for the second time. First set lasted until 10 years ago. Never did anything with the regulators. Spent most of it's life in an unheated garage/barn. If the regulators go bad, I would probably replace everything.

 

[Richard G.]

My torch set is a Werco brand which when I bought it in 1977 I was told was an entry level brand made by Victor. I don't know if that was true and I don't think Werco is around anymore. Its the medium size set like most available in many stores. Anyways, my hoses are now like wood and likely leaking and oxygen regulator is leaking. I can try to kit the regulator and buy hoses but maybe its time to buy a new set. I see sets at HF and TSC and online, plus the professional grade for much more. Any opinions?

Got a Werco set I bought about 1978.
Had one regulator rebuilt at my gas supplier years ago.
Replaced hoses once.
Still works fine.

 

[Watthour]

My Harris Proweld set is only about 42 years old. I haven't replaced anything but several bottles of gas. I suppose it would be a good idea to think about getting a newer, better one, but the last time I used it was a couple months ago and everything appeared to be in good order.

 

[Mark-Mi]

I have a Victor set that's at least 40 years old. It never got a lot of use and always stored in unheated buildings. I went to use it last spring and opening the oxy valve I heard a POP and the gauge needle pegged. Thought about a rebuild but everybody I called "sends them out" and available kits varied in parts. Got a new one for $80 with exchange.

I have a Victor torch set. Opened the oxygen tank this winter and heard that pop. Never been in a regulator but does not look to be difficult so I bought a kit. Have not got to it yet.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I have a Victor torch set. Opened the oxygen tank this winter and heard that pop. Never been in a regulator but does not look to be difficult so I bought a kit. Have not got to it yet.

Yeah, I didn't think it was too complicated and found a lot of kits online. But some only had an O-ring and gasket and some had several other parts. Amazon mostly and you can never be sure of the quality I wasn't sure about getting the thing apart without damage. The AirGas dealers around here don't mess with them. I called a Linde store and he had them in stock. Let me know how the fix worked out.

 

[showcrop]

I thought that I was going to need to replace my thirty-year-old set when the oxygen wouldn't come out to make a cut. I screwed around with it for a while, then noticed that the hole in the tip was plugged. It took awhile to open it up but I got it back working.

 

[chvet73]

I have had the Harbor set for probably 25 years. It is still in excellent condition. I don’t use the torch often. I’d also add that most Harbor products are far better quality than when my hose set was made.

 

[560Dennis]

Yeah, I didn't think it was too complicated and found a lot of kits online. But some only had an O-ring and gasket and some had several other parts. Amazon mostly and you can never be sure of the quality I wasn't sure about getting the thing apart without damage. The AirGas dealers around here don't mess with them. I called a Linde store and he had them in stock. Let me know how the fix worked out.

Mike where’s the Linde store near newbury ?

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Mike where’s the Linde store near newbury ?

Wickiffe on Lloyd rd. near the RR tracks.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

If you buy hoses get the Airco or some reliable brand name. The cheap ones do not last, at least that has been my experience. Quality of everything seems to be lacking now.

 

[504]

With a few comments about popping regulators I thought I would pass on some advice. Back off the psi knob on the regulator when you turn the tanks off. When you leave the regulator open and you open the oxygen tank valve you are applying around 2000 psi to the rubber disc inside of your regulator, that is the pop you hear. You can rebuild them or have them rebuilt or buy new (about twice as much as rebuilding) any welding supply store should have hoses and online just make sure they are selling T grade hoses.

 

[sandcastle1]

Twinsburg and Ashtabula also have Linde stores. The one on Lloyd and Lakeland in Wickliffe, are really friendly and easy to deal with.

 

[RedMF40]

With a few comments about popping regulators I thought I would pass on some advice. Back off the psi knob on the regulator when you turn the tanks off. When you leave the regulator open and you open the oxygen tank valve you are applying around 2000 psi to the rubber disc inside of your regulator, that is the pop you hear. You can rebuild them or have them rebuilt or buy new (about twice as much as rebuilding) any welding supply store should have hoses and online just make sure they are selling T grade hoses.

An experienced welder friend told me to:

Close the tank valves
Release whatever O2 and fuel is in the hoses
Back off both regulators

 

[MarkB_MI]

When you leave the regulator open and you open the oxygen tank valve you are applying around 2000 psi to the rubber disc inside of your regulator, that is the pop you hear.

I always back off my regulators, but won't that 2000 psi still hit the regulator diaphragm regardless of how the regulator is adjusted?

I TRY to slowly crack the O2 valve, but I don't think it makes much difference.

 

[504]

Red,Mark, you are both right,the high psi wont flow past the internal vave to get to the diagrams if the regulator is backed off. Slow on is a good thing when turning on gas valves anytime! With our products it is almost cheaper to buy a set, than two regulators.

 

[Watthour]

With a few comments about popping regulators I thought I would pass on some advice. Back off the psi knob on the regulator when you turn the tanks off. When you leave the regulator open and you open the oxygen tank valve you are applying around 2000 psi to the rubber disc inside of your regulator, that is the pop you hear. You can rebuild them or have them rebuilt or buy new (about twice as much as rebuilding) any welding supply store should have hoses and online just make sure they are selling T grade hoses.

That's an "automatic" for me. Once the cylinder valve is closed, the torch valves are opened alternately to bleed pressure from the regulators and hoses, and then the regulator "T" handles are backed off to zero pressure on the diaphragm disc. I was trained that in the '70s, and it's an everyday habit.

 

[drsportster]

Victor Junior