Advice on rosebud torch head

[sabinoerc]

Hi, I'm a novice hobbyist. Bought an acetylene tank/torch from a guy who said he was shutting down his welding business a few years ago. I've "cut" (that is, melted/managed stuff apart) but mostly have used it for heating and bending metal. The torch works fine for this for small stuff with single bend but recently I've been trying to put gradual bends in small square stock - like 1 1/2"x1/2" 16 gage tube - and need to heat up larger area. I read that a rosebud torch is what I should use but I see a wide variety of sizes and cost points.


- What size should I get for stuff similar to the square tubing above? I don't plan at this point to do heavy stuff. (I just saw I have a heavy stock tube in pic below - just fyi - that's not what I'm wanting to bend! it's a different little yard art thing I'm working on)

- There are crazy differences in price. A Victor rosebud torch tip is ~$250 while there ones on Amazon for ~$30. I'd assume you get what you pay for but for me, attempting to bending something 3 or 4 times a year, what should I look for, price point?

- I have a Victor 3150 KT torch handle. I assume this is the Victor 300 series and would need a rosebud for same?


I'd appreciate any advice, suggestions, other things I should know.
Thanks

 

[Buckgnarly]

Make sure you match the rosebud size with tank size. You cannot draw acetylene too fast and rosebuds use lots.

 

[c39er]

If you have a good welding supply house take your tour head in and tell them what you are wanting to do.
You have a real quality older Victor torch.
Hopefully they can size and fit a new smaller size rosebud assembly that will just screw onto your torch mixer handle.
I personally just use my large Airco 6 hole cutting tip...even to bend 3" bar stock.
Have for years..

 

[NHtoolguy]

I always thought rosebud tips were for heating large areas. To apply localized heat for a bend, I would use a cutting tip as has been suggested. It will consume less fuel, too.

 

[lilredex]

Looks like a rather small acetylene tank that probably won't support a rosebud tip. Just use that cutting head to heat things, as I do. My tanks will not support a rosebud either.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, if you take your questions to the shop that fills your bottles you might get honest answers. Unfortunately not everyone will have your best interests in mind when they are answering questions. There are many who will only have their own priorities in mind.
A second opinion can either confirm the first or point you to another option that will be worth considering.

 

[msharley]

Hi, I'm a novice hobbyist. Bought an acetylene tank/torch from a guy who said he was shutting down his welding business a few years ago. I've "cut" (that is, melted/managed stuff apart) but mostly have used it for heating and bending metal. The torch works fine for this for small stuff with single bend but recently I've been trying to put gradual bends in small square stock - like 1 1/2"x1/2" 16 gage tube - and need to heat up larger area. I read that a rosebud torch is what I should use but I see a wide variety of sizes and cost points.


- What size should I get for stuff similar to the square tubing above? I don't plan at this point to do heavy stuff. (I just saw I have a heavy stock tube in pic below - just fyi - that's not what I'm wanting to bend! it's a different little yard art thing I'm working on)

- There are crazy differences in price. A Victor rosebud torch tip is ~$250 while there ones on Amazon for ~$30. I'd assume you get what you pay for but for me, attempting to bending something 3 or 4 times a year, what should I look for, price point?

- I have a Victor 3150 KT torch handle. I assume this is the Victor 300 series and would need a rosebud for same?


I'd appreciate any advice, suggestions, other things I should know.
Thanks

Hey S,

Victor makes a variety of "heating elements" that screw right into the tip.

They are reasonable....



That size will do anything you will ever need...up to 1" plate...

Believe? They are the VICTOR SERIES #1 HEATING TIPS? They come in a variety of sizes...The #8 should be more than plenty.

Later, Mark

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I took my Victor type cutting torch with me when I went to Princess Auto. They had 3 different sizes of rosebuds to fit ranging in price from 45 to 50. I bought the biggest as I thought I could turn down if needed. It worked just fine for me.

 

[NHtoolguy]

I apologize for being a bit off topic, but has anyone found a rosebud tip for an older (1980's) Harris torch? I can't locate one anywhere, and would like to add one to my torch accessories.

 

[sabinoerc]

I appreciate all the thoughts and suggestion! Thanks

 

[sabinoerc]

Looks like a rather small acetylene tank that probably won't support a rosebud tip. Just use that cutting head to heat things, as I do. My tanks will not support a rosebud either.

I think I’ll stick to working with the cutting head.
I was curious however on ACT tank size I have. It measures about 25in to the top of tank (not including valve) so I think that is a #1? If so, I’ve read that you can only flow 1/7 cfh of the tank vol. That would mean max flow rate would be around 8cfh which would barely reach low side of flow range for a #4 tip. So, yeah, using rosebuds mean significantly larger tanks. I appreciate the education.

 

[BukitCase]

actually the newer recomendation is 1/10, not 1/7 - this should help your education -

Fuel your safety knowledge - acetylene

Cylinder size chart - https://www.mplso2.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MO2-Cylinder-Sizing-Chart.pdf

My o/a set has the biggest single acetylene tank available, and (without ganging cylinders) I had to get the SMALLEST rosebud that I could find in order to (barely) meet recommendations -

Your cutting head plan is the best choice; just do NOT 'bump" the cutting lever by accident

HTH... Steve