My 1st Torch Rig (Victor)...educate me please?

[1982fxr]

I've used a torch only a few times in my life. Been years though, and i remember nothing, so for learning i will be starting over at square one.

I got this rig for $150 off craigs yesterday morning. He fired it up quick when I got there. The tanks have a little in them, and the hoses need to be replaced before I fire it up--cracking.

The Victor torch says 100-FC

Victor gauges say #1424-0015 and 1424-0019
Victor regulator SB200

Other regulator/gauges are unknown, but look new and i see remnants of a "Taiwan" sticker.

Tips...
4-T-13
1-W-1
0-3-101

How did I do? Can you guys tell me what "level" of Victor the regulator, torch and gauges are?

And where to buy new hoses?

 

[devoncoolman]

Thats a very good torch. Victor and harris are both great torches. U can cut up to about 5in steel with that torch if you buy the big tip for it but u wont need that. Thats a good automotive torch. Just get some old plate steel and play with it. Always start the torch with the oxygen off on the torch side. Just crack the fuel side and start it. Adjust the fuel then turn the oxygen on and adjust it with the adjustmen on the head. Always kill the oxygen first. Then the fuel. Never open your acetylene all the way. In case of a fire on the torch or hoses. You will be able to kill the bottle fast. Also do yourself a favor and buy flashback valves and atleast put them on the tank side but rec at both ends.

 

[1982fxr]

thanks, I'll be googling plenty of operating instructions. As far as the equipment itself, is this stuff all "series" related--as in 100 series, 200 series, etc? Like in terms of parts, tips, etc--as far as what will/won't fit...

Who has good prices on Victor parts?

 

[devoncoolman]

I always get my torch and welding supplys at the local welding supply. Take the tip with u and match it up. That is a common tip.

 

[TennesseeZ]

You did real good on that for $150, almost good enough for a you ****. I use stuff like that every day in powerplants, papermills, etc. It's industrial grade. Bottles are smaller than what we use, but a good size for a home shop. Whoever set that up knew what he was doing.
Get hoses from Cyberweld or somewhere off the net. Ebay. just search around. HF and Northern also come to mind.

You'll want a smaller tip for thinner metals, 00, 0, 1 (first number) are good tips for anything up to 1/2" or maybe more. You've got an "0" in it. Pretty good tip. Its good for 1/4" at least. Set your acty at 7 with it flowing, oxygen at 30, You'll be good to go as soon as you learn to set the flame and get your speed right with practice.

Looking at it again, that looks like a real old acty bottle, they'll probably swap that out when you take it in for a refill, don't think they use the adapters anymore, or the square head valve with wrench, Think they all come with a hand wheel like the oxy bottle. As above, only crack it 1/4 turn, or just enough to get your 7#, and never take the wrench off, for safety.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Looking at it again, that looks like a real old acty bottle, they'll probably swap that out when you take it in for a refill, don't think they use the adapters anymore, or the square head valve with wrench, Think they all come with a hand wheel like the oxy bottle. As above, only crack it 1/4 turn, or just enough to get your 7#, and never take the wrench off, for safety.

That's a standard "B" acetylene cylinder, AKA, "B-bottle" or Prest-O-Lite cylinder. 40 CF size. All B acetylene cylinders have a CGA 520 (Prest-O-Lite B) thread for the regulator, so using a standard CGA 510 sized acetylene regulator on one requires the adaptor.

The oxygen cylinder looks like it's probably a "G" size, also 40 CF, so a good match to the B bottle unless you plan on doing a lot of cutting.

Victor gauges say #1424-0015 and 1424-0019
Victor regulator SB200

Other regulator/gauges are unknown, but look new and i see remnants of a "Taiwan" sticker.

The oxygen looks like 60s or 70s vintage Victor. It was their lightest-duty regulator at the time. Still far better than the import clones.

The acetylene looks like either an import clone of a Victor or a newer light-duty Victor. Can't read the writing so can't be sure.

And where to buy new hoses?

I'd recommend taking the whole setup over to Praxair in Mesa (on Broadway between the 101 and Dobson) and letting them look at it. You're going to need to make an association with a welding gas supplier sooner or later, and now, when you need a hose and some other parts, like a pair of reverse-flow check valves for the torch, is a good time to start.

I'd also strongly recommend that you not rely on Google for your welding instruction. Get a current copy of Praxair's Precautions and Safe Practices in Welding and Cutting with Oxy-Acetylene Equipment, or something equivalent, and read the whole thing. You can probably get it right there at the Praxair store, or simply ask the counter guy or manager what they recommend, and if they can recommend a beginner's welding class to get you started.

 

[1982fxr]

thanks for all the help guys