Cutting / Heating torch decisions

[scoob8000]

Every time I need a torch in the garage to heat up a bolt or exhaust I go down this road.

I'd like to get a basic torch setup for the garage, but I'm having a hard time justifying nearly $1k for something I'm going to use once or twice a year.

Everyone I talk to locally says don't waste me time with the portable kits. The Acetyline tanks just don't last long enough and are easy to exceed their limits.

One local welding shop suggested a oxy/propane setup. Even at that route I'm having a hard time swallowing $240 for a 80cuft tank, and $280 for the propane torch set.

Another shop tried talking me out of propane, saying it's not as hot and doesn't cut clean.

Not much popping up for sale used locally.

Or do I just life with MAPP/Pro gas and a good blowtorch as I've been for the past years.

What does GJ think?

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I just fired up my plasma cutter for the first time. carved my name into some 2" EMT, took about 3 seconds per letter at the lowest setting of 20 amps.

not something i'd use for heating bolts, but slicing stuff apart, it's amazing.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

What about those induction heaters? I haven't tried one but they sound interesting if you can get to it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

If you have the need; a good Oxygen Acetylene torch is money well spent.

But no; You should not be buying equipment that cannot be justified.

 

[Kenskip1]

I was in the same boat about a year ago.I got tired of all the suggestions and simply purchased this set. Very glad that i did.......

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-Port-A-Torch-Kit/1000119507

 

[PWC Repair]

For once or twice a year I'd just check out the pawn shops for a portable setup. That's what I have and likely all I'll ever need. And you can cut off several pieces of steel and heat multiple stubborn bolts on a refill.

 

[MoonRise]

Heating or cutting steel, oxy-propane works just fine.

No 1:7 withdrawal rate limitation as with acetylene. Although you can still frost-up or 'freeze' a propane tank under high withdrawal rates.

And there is a HUGE difference in performance between a 'plumbers' air-propane torch like you get at a hardware store and an actual oxy-fuel torch (not the tiny little Bernzomatic oxy-fuel torch kit either).

But for ~$300, the Lincoln (aka Harris) port-a-torch set isn't all that bad for 'small' jobs.

 

[gearhead1]

Options:
Run propane and;
Buy a new torch, hose, gauges, and used oxygen tank and used propane (gas grill tank).
Buy a used complete outfit but only if you can try it first.

I have pieced together sets, a regulator at a flea market, a torch at a different flea market, a regulator at a pawn shop, and a couple propane tanks at a garage sale. It might take a year or two to do it but you'll have it for a fraction of the price.

Your avatar location says Western PA. Not sure where exactly but if close enough, try the big flea market in Rogers, Ohio and the one at the old movie drive in off of route 7 near Andover, Ohio. Also watch Craiglist.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I was kind of in the same boat as you a couple of years ago. I will admit I got a good deal on a 125 oxygen bottle. Oxy/propane has been great for me so far. I can use bbq style tanks that are easy to get filled. I bough a victor torch set online for under $300 if I remember correctly. It has been great for me. I hope it helps.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Oxy-Propylene is another option, certainly not cheaper than a BBQ tank though. But small cylinders without withdrawal restrictions are available. Depends on your LWS. My Praxair sold me mine.

 

[dr_clyde]

IMO, no shop is complete without an oxy-acetylene torch.

I personally have Smith equipment and am very happy with it.

I bought most of my cylinders used off Craigslist or at estate sales. Your LWS will advise you on their cylinder policy.

Buy the biggest cylinders you can afford.

I've bought used torch handles and attachments and had them factory refurbished for a very good price on at least 2 sets now. One I gave away to a friend and one I use as my main torch. The set I bought new is my backup.

Buy brand new regulators and hoses.

 

[scoob8000]

oops. I forgot to come back and check on my post.

So I guess I'm back to just keeping an eye out for a deal on a torch outfit with tanks.

gearhead1, Rogers Ohio flea market. Every Friday during the summer. I havn't been out there in years!

Mr Wonderful, So you are content with Oxy/Propane for basic heating/cutting?

 

[Boilerhouse]

For a couple times a year, I would still suggest getting a torch outfit. First off, when you need a torch, well, you NEED a torch. Second, if you have one, you will likely find many new uses for it. I would probably suggest oxy/propane, only because the supplier where I get my acetylene from suggests I switch to propane, saying that is what they use in their shop. That sounds like quite an endorsement to me. As far as brands; Victor, Harris and Smith are the big three.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

oops. I forgot to come back and check on my post.

So I guess I'm back to just keeping an eye out for a deal on a torch outfit with tanks.

gearhead1, Rogers Ohio flea market. Every Friday during the summer. I havn't been out there in years!

Mr Wonderful, So you are content with Oxy/Propane for basic heating/cutting?

For a couple times a year, I would still suggest getting a torch outfit. First off, when you need a torch, well, you NEED a torch. Second, if you have one, you will likely find many new uses for it. I would probably suggest oxy/propane, only because the supplier where I get my acetylene from suggests I switch to propane, saying that is what they use in their shop. That sounds like quite an endorsement to me. As far as brands; Victor, Harris and Smith are the big three.

Scoob, yes I am very happy with my set up so far. I am admittedly an amature with the gas cutting/heating. I had to watch several videos on youtube and talk to some experts. One thing I do know for sure is, if you plan on oxy/propane and you buy a used torch, you MUST get the correct grade of hose for propane. I cant remember the letters off hand. If you use acetylene hose for propane you are asking for trouble. If I remember correctly propane eats the type of rubber in normal acetylene hoses.

 

[scoob8000]

For a couple times a year, I would still suggest getting a torch outfit. First off, when you need a torch, well, you NEED a torch. Second, if you have one, you will likely find many new uses for it. I would probably suggest oxy/propane, only because the supplier where I get my acetylene from suggests I switch to propane, saying that is what they use in their shop. That sounds like quite an endorsement to me. As far as brands; Victor, Harris and Smith are the big three.

That's my thinking too. Rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. The welding shop I get my welding gas from steered me towards propane too. They highly recommend it in that it's safer and easier to get if you run out. And one less tank to worry about. But another competing shop told me propane is too slow and doesn't cut nicely. My usual shop does seem more knowledgable. He pointed out the grade of hoses to me too.

Scoob, yes I am very happy with my set up so far. I am admittedly an amature with the gas cutting/heating. I had to watch several videos on youtube and talk to some experts. One thing I do know for sure is, if you plan on oxy/propane and you buy a used torch, you MUST get the correct grade of hose for propane. I cant remember the letters off hand. If you use acetylene hose for propane you are asking for trouble. If I remember correctly propane eats the type of rubber in normal acetylene hoses.

I wonder if some of the people that don't like propane are used to cutting with oxy/ace. I know I've read it's a slightly different technique. I've never used either, so it's going to be learning either way.

 

[milwaukeephil]

I can't say enough good stuff about the Smith Little Torch on a portable setup like the Lincoln linked above. You'll get so much more run time and you can really pinpoint a part you're heating.

https://www.amazon.com/Smith-Little-Torch-Soldering-Welding/dp/B000T43L30

 

[sberry]

My auto mechanic bud made it a career with 20# lp bottle and 80 cf oxy. He didn't fabricate with it though, just heat and burn the occasional bolt off. I bought a lot of bottles from the jobber, they cost a lot. I would be looking used today. You can use the same regs with both gasses, I used the same hoses for 30 years on it. Before plasma I had a bottle rack and 2 100 ft hoses with LP on 100# bottle and it last a looooooong time. I used it for most cutting back then, went back to a cart and acety as the plasma does most fab work and not burning a bottle off every week or 2.
I bought the second set at an estate sale not too long ago, was 150 or so maybe and got it for spare regs and mainly the bottles. I have about 5 or 6 oxy and 4 acetylene. Leaves them a little room to cut a deal when I fill a bunch and can work a long time without going to the store.

 

[cdods]

I was in exactly the same situation as the OP, and eventually bit the bullet and bought an oxy propane kit (victor). I did a bit of research, and the only difference from the oxy-acetylene kit is the colour, spring and gauge face on the valve (different pressure range), so if I ever want to add acetylene I can use the same valves.

I always keep a full spare BBQ propane tank around anyways so we can switch when the BBQ runs out mid-steak, so I just use that as for my propane source.

Works well for me. Built a cart out of an old cheap hand truck that lets me move it around easily and keeps the O2 bottle safe from falling over.

Leaning to cut was relatively easy (watched lots of youtube). Leaning to cut smoothly with no slag - not there yet

 

[56Safari]

keep an eye on Craigslist for torches and bottles.. (or you could buy the small porta kit and upgrade bottles later)

I'd bet you could get both bottles for ~$200.... I saw 2 150cf bottles of OXY/ACT that were listed here in Nashville for $300 for the pair. I score almost all my bottles on craigslist from pure argon to 75/25 and haven't had any issues.. LWS swaps them right out.

 

[Iluvbeer]

I was in exactly the same situation as the OP, and eventually bit the bullet and bought an oxy propane kit (victor). I did a bit of research, and the only difference from the oxy-acetylene kit is the colour, spring and gauge face on the valve (different pressure range), so if I ever want to add acetylene I can use the same valves.

I always keep a full spare BBQ propane tank around anyways so we can switch when the BBQ runs out mid-steak, so I just use that as for my propane source.

Works well for me. Built a cart out of an old cheap hand truck that lets me move it around easily and keeps the O2 bottle safe from falling over.

Leaning to cut was relatively easy (watched lots of youtube). Leaning to cut smoothly with no slag - not there yet

Which victor kit did you buy?

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I was in exactly the same situation as the OP, and eventually bit the bullet and bought an oxy propane kit (victor). I did a bit of research, and the only difference from the oxy-acetylene kit is the colour, spring and gauge face on the valve (different pressure range), so if I ever want to add acetylene I can use the same valves.

I always keep a full spare BBQ propane tank around anyways so we can switch when the BBQ runs out mid-steak, so I just use that as for my propane source.

Works well for me. Built a cart out of an old cheap hand truck that lets me move it around easily and keeps the O2 bottle safe from falling over.

Leaning to cut was relatively easy (watched lots of youtube). Leaning to cut smoothly with no slag - not there yet

I know the regulator is different for propane. But if you check there is a different grade of hose for propane. It is the "T" rated. That much I know for sure. The manufacturer says to swich back to "R" rated hose because of oil residue that can build up in the hose from propane. I don't want to hijack the thread and I am not at all an expert like others on here, I just wanted to share what I found when I researched this topic.

 

[56Safari]

Here's a full set of tanks, torch, regulators, etc. w/ cart for $350 north of youngstown PA. doesn't mention the torch brand, but I'm sure you could ask...

https://youngstown.craigslist.org/tls/d/hubbard-complete-torch-set/6789890021.html

 

[sberry]

That's not bad, good bottles, full too.

 

[cdods]

I think it was this one (or the equivalent from a few years ago):

https://www.esabna.com/us/en/products/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.product&productCode=V445011

Now that I look at it, I remember that it was the acetylene regulator that came with it, and I just bought some propane cutting tips. The acetylene regulator works fine for propane.

 

[MoonRise]

I was in exactly the same situation as the OP, and eventually bit the bullet and bought an oxy propane kit (victor). I did a bit of research, and the only difference from the oxy-acetylene kit is the colour, spring and gauge face on the valve (different pressure range), so if I ever want to add acetylene I can use the same valves.

NO!!!!

You can use an acetylene regulator with propane, but do NOT use a propane regulator with acetylene.

It's not the regulator itself, but the possible output pressures you can get with the different regulators.

With acetylene, you NEVER-NEVER-NEVER set the output pressure above 15 psig.

NEVER.

That's why the "acetylene" regulator only goes up to 15 psig 'output' and then has anything higher than that is in RED on the pressure gauge.

Propane regulators can be 0-50 psig output.

Did I mention that you should NEVER-NEVER-NEVER set an acetylene pressure higher than 15 psig?

Because BOOM. (because acetylene can spontaneously 'explode' at pressures higher than 15 psi, ignoring for this discussion the safety margin in that 15 psi 'limit').

The fuel hose that you can use with either propane or acetylene (or any other 'common' welding/heating gas) is the "T" rated hose.

The 'standard' R rated hose is for use with acetylene ONLY.

If you want to use oxy-propane, you NEED the T-rated hose, and the appropriate propane tips (heating or cutting). The torch handle itself (at least for all of the 'major' brands that I know of) is the same no matter what fuel gas you are using.

 

[scoob8000]

Here's a full set of tanks, torch, regulators, etc. w/ cart for $350 north of youngstown PA. doesn't mention the torch brand, but I'm sure you could ask...

https://youngstown.craigslist.org/tls/d/hubbard-complete-torch-set/6789890021.html

I actually talked to this guy. He just had these tanks tested and filled too. They're sold, but he's got another set getting tested now. Even bigger tanks. Hell, I think that oxygen was a 300cuft or so. I'll never use it all.

NO!!!!

You can use an acetylene regulator with propane, but do NOT use a propane regulator with acetylene.

It's not the regulator itself, but the possible output pressures you can get with the different regulators.

The fuel hose that you can use with either propane or acetylene (or any other 'common' welding/heating gas) is the "T" rated hose.

So that's interesting. I may be better with getting a decent outfit that comes with T rated hose and buy a propane tip and if I find a deal on Acetylene later I can switch. I like the idea too that a 20lb propane, and the bigger acetylene tanks take the same fitting. Another reason to get something bigger than a B tank when the time comes. Any harm in switching that regulator from propane to acetylene or vice versa (LWS warned me of contamination from the propane).