How's This Lincoln Torch?

[HomeTheaterMan]

I've been looking at torches for the last couple of weeks and I'm getting fairly close to buying one. I want one I can use to heat stuck bolts as well as to cut. Most of the Harris and Victor torches I'd looked at were close to $300. Then I was at Home Depot and this Lincoln caught my eye. It's only $184 and a quick online search makes it look like it's actually a Harris. I've had great luck with my Lincoln welder and I can't imagine them putting their name on junk, but it just seems too good to be true. Is it a good torch or are the others worth the extra money? Anything else in this price range I should be looking at?

Here is the link to it:
http://m.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electric-Cut-Welder-Kit-KH838/205380141

 

[Firebrick43]

Well' Harris is a Subsidiary of Lincoln just as smith is of Miller and victor of thermodynamics.

Harris is an ok torch just as victor is. The tips and accessories are not as available as victors or smiths but it will do.

They definitely are not smith torches or airco regulators.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Am I better off spending the extra money on a Smith? What are the advantages?

 

[WittHay]

I would recommend finding a local torch repair place and find out whats brands they sell and fix.

Torches need maintenance, seals can get burnt and cutting tips need to be replaced. If they can fix the Lincoln/Harris from Home Depot its a good deal.

If it is a item exclusive to Home Depot, then I would recommend a step up. Victor is the most common. Smith has different levels of torches just like Victor or Harris.

 

[Cope]

Am I better off spending the extra money on a Smith? What are the advantages?

In addition to available service, you need to find out what brand is most available for tips.

 

[bulldogr6]

I have a Harris torch at home that looks very similar but I am unsure of model number. The guy at the welding supply shop where I buy stuff for my work ( Smith )says it's a good one. So if tips are available locally why not. FyI I bought a rose bud and and it hurt my wallet a lil more than anticipated , $ 65 with no mixer .

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

 

[Diddler]

I would recommend finding a local torch repair place and find out whats brands they sell and fix.

What you can get parts for, including tips, is the best brand of torch. All the others become junk when you can't obtain parts. In my part of the world Victor is King and Harris is Prince. Smith is the Earl of something...notable, but not a big player.

One nice feature of the Harris cutting torches I have used is that the cutting(oxygen) lever can be flipped up so that you don't inadvertantly blast a divot into your workpiece when using your cutting torch in lieu of a rosebud. The torch in your link also appears to be one of the compact bodies, which is very handy when working in confined spaces such as vehicles.

Don't worry about single stage versus two stage regulators. Two stage regulators are more important in hard piped manifold systems or when using a BIG cutting tip for hours on end where you're burning down bottles. The set you are looking at will serve you well.

BTW, buy your tanks instead of leasing them if you can, and buy the biggest ones you can afford. Gases are cheaper in the bigger bottles, lots cheaper, and you don't have to worry about the draw down capacity of your acetylene. Tank leases get expensive over the years. Keep the receipt for your bottles and you'll always have the residual value.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll check with a few local shops and see what they sell and service.

I called to check on tanks and I got a quote of $400 for a 80 cubic foot of oxygen and 72 cubic ft tank of acetylene. Does that seem to be about the going rate to buy the tanks? It definitely seems like that's the way to go. It's definitely going to be a big purchase which is making me wonder if it's really worth it or not for home use.

 

[DTE]

HomeTheaterMan,
Your right ,torches are a big investment for home use. But it would depend on what you do at home. Myself I couldn't imagine not having a set . I had a set of Meco Regulators and a Weldmaster cutting head and the matching mixing handle and the cutting handle quit working a couple weeks ago. I have grown up with this stuff and I know the set is 40 years old and the hoses were dated 92. Seeing I am somewhat retired I bought this set at O'reilly's and It is good for home use. It would have a short life getting used in a shop setting just as it is not the quality of what I had. But until I got a new torch I had no idea mine was so wore out. I by the cheaper set and you will probably never work on it if treated properly. http://firepoweronline.com/product/oxyfuel-250-medium-duty-outfit-box-2/ The only down side is the hoses are only 12 ft. long

 

[wendlwacker]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll check with a few local shops and see what they sell and service.

I called to check on tanks and I got a quote of $400 for a 80 cubic foot of oxygen and 72 cubic ft tank of acetylene. Does that seem to be about the going rate to buy the tanks? It definitely seems like that's the way to go. It's definitely going to be a big purchase which is making me wonder if it's really worth it or not for home use.

Buying a set this week. That quote is the same as mine.

 

[Firebrick43]

Am I better off spending the extra money on a Smith? What are the advantages?

That is up to you. As said, Harris and victor are ok torches. I own a victor (fc 100 handle and ca-1350 cutting attachment). But I also have several smiths including some airlines. The valves are smother on the smith and the mixing is done bin the tip compared to the body. Also the smith uses seals on the tips which allows tips installed by hand. The metal to metal seal of others require a wrench.

My victor is 20 years old now and was USA made but they don't make torches here anymore and the same for Harris.

Smith is still made in USA and has a lifetime warranty.


Diddler, dual stage regulators are very nice if you are doing fine welding or brazing with a small aircraft torch. As the tanks draw down the better dual stage regulators will hold steady. Single stage you will be fiddling with them constantly driving you nuts.

 

[Diddler]

Firebrick43,

I don't mean to be argumentative or otherwise confrontational, but it's my opinion that you're overstating the amount of adjustment necessary with single stage regulators. I'm willing to concede that I don't do much fine welding or brazing, though I've gas welded truck seat frames with a 000 tip and some fine Tig rod before I bought my Tig machine, and the little Victor torch set worked without a hitch. The reason that I feel it's important to mention this is because too often a person with little or no experience is scared into thinking they need more tool than they can afford or justify, and then end up missing out altogether. The Victor 100s sold in farm stores and the Harris/Lincoln and various Harris rebrands sold through catalog stores like Sears are the Winchester 94s of the torch world, out there getting the job done until people became "educated" and realized that their gun wouldn't kill a deer. No offense intended Firebrick, just offering a different opinion.

 

[Murphy4570]

Looks like you're looking at getting the little port a torch set. I bought the $300 one with plastic carry case years ago from Home Depot. Harris brand stuff. I have no complaints. Works very well for what it is. The tiny pony bottles go empty FAST if you are doing any serious burning work, but this kit isn't for that.

It is a fantastic little kit for small jobs in the field. Throw it in your truck and go. I bought mine for a clutch job on a Mustang in a friend's driveway many years ago. I sure don't miss doing that nonsense!

Harris is good stuff, and is owned by Lincoln Electric, as has been stated already. You'll do just fine with that kit for small jobs. The kit comes with a small brazing tip as well, which is darn useful in its own right.