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Good cutting torch setup

Ditch digger

Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2012
Messages
11
Location
Chicago
Just got a full set of bottles from work, and recommendations on a torch and regulator setup? I don't have a problem paying for quality products. Thanks for the advise.
 
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dr_clyde

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Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
6,438
Location
Holland, MI
I have smith, victor an me purox torches. I like the American made smith the most. My victor is mostly reserved for gas welding and fine brazing, as I have a better selection of smaller tips. My smith typically is used for flame straightening, large brazing jobs and cutting. I almost never use the purox. Came in a toolbox I bought.
 
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dr_clyde

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Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
6,438
Location
Holland, MI
Whichever you choose, get a professional grade one. They are light years ahead of the sets at Home Depot. My dad has a pipeliner Harris set and it is so much nicer than the Harris sets at the big box store for only about a hundred bucks more.
 

rtole

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
366
I prefered the old victor stuff......but I have many hours behind a smith as well, they seem to me to be a little more fussy with cleaning.......but that may come from the smith stuff I have used is in auto shops where most guys have no idea how to use a torch. I cringe when ever I hear the cracking and popping of using the torch wrong. When I used the old victor stuff was in a welding shop that some of the guys were fricking surgeons with a torch. So they knew how to take care of it, and made sure I lerned the right way. I cant say how new victor stuff is. The new smith stuff is very useable, and I think a good price.
 

sberry

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Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
I got a Bud recently bought a Smiths from a LWS, was priced right. Have one in most major brands, the Purox is ok too.
 

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rlitman

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Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,591
Location
Long Island
See what the LWS carries. Smith is certainly top shelf, but if the local store doesn't carry tips, you may have to wait for the Wells Fargo wagon to show up with your mail order replacements to finish a project. I can pretty much guarantee you that Victor tips will be locally available (knockoff are also available at my local Ace Hardware in a pinch, but knockoff torch parts ****). Harris probably too (because Craftsman torches are Harris).

Another quality brand not mentioned is ESAB. Again, you probably will not find parts for it locally.
 

bobcatdan

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Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
Spend the money on Smith. They have the same ownership as miller and are slowly being rebadged as miller. The top end stuff is still tried and true Smith and still carries the Smith lifetime warranty.
 
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