Cutting torch regulators for Oxy/Propylene recommendations

[snakeeyes]

Our shop has a lot of old regulators that we get rebuild and constantly cycle through. Recently rebuild parts have become a little bit scarce/crazy expensive for some and we were told to buy some new regulators as a cheaper alternative to rebuilding. Currently we use old victor, smith, and harris all brass regulators. Our uses for torches are all over the place, cutting thick metal 4"+, rosebud tips for heating large areas, cutting plate up to 1" on a daily basis, and oxygen lances once in a while.

We were looking at some of the new Victor edge series ESS4 and ESS7, but nobody we know has used them. Anyone here have any experience with these newer regulators? The only concern being voiced in the shop is about the plastic adjustment knob that seems to make people think it is a cheap regulator.

 

[Firebrick43]

While I like victor medium/large/cutting torches, I was done with their regs when they were made in the USA. Smith was better. The best regulators bar none are the airco regulators, now known as concoa. You would want the 6700 series for what your doing i think. I particularly love the 8400 series as the have dead stable flows at very low levels when using a small aircraft welding torch and the tank is getting near empty. Dead stable compared to a smith and especially compared to a victor.

 

[snakeeyes]

After looking up the 8400 its setup is very unique compared to other regulators. We actually have one of those airco/concoa dual stage with the metal guard. Never gave it any thought, since we did not know the brand and when looking up regulators they don't really come up in online results.

Looking online it seems the only mention of concoa is an old company website and ebay listings for used regulators. I will have to ask around our suppliers to see who might sell their stuff.

Thanks for the info.

 

[speed bump]

I'll have to look at which edge regulators we use but other than the smaller size makes it harder to put on bottles with safety caps I haven't heard any complaints about the 10 or so sets we have in circulation.