Looking a Oxy/Acet torch set.

[motoretro]

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[wniemann]

I was told (by a smith rep), that the only setup still made in the USA was the Smith-Miller stuff. My next torch will be a Smith, nice units.

 

[zkling]

Smith makes good stuff, no doubt. Not sure if all of their gas equipment today is USA made or not. Victor is good as well, but IIRC the newer ones are Mexico COO.

 

[theknurl]

motoretro;
what's wrong with the set you have now?

a well maintained set should out live you

my Victor J-28 handle, tips and 550-J cutting head are older than I am (66) the tips get new O-rings when they need them

my Purox 00s are from the '30s (no O-rings either)

 

[Deskmechanic]

I have a set of regulators from a company that is no longer in business, I can't remember the name right now but they are at least from the 1930s or earlier. I had them rebuilt a number of years ago by my local welding shop and they still work perfectly.

Take your stuff to your LWS and see what they say.

 

[AndyA]

My personal preference is Victor. I have a setup in the shop and another on the truck. I 'standardized' on victor years ago so I would have to only buy one type of tips.
I still like Victor, but a lot of their lower-end stuff is now made in Mexico.

I think Smith is the only one that's 100% made in the USA. I have their AW1A. It's very nice.

If I were buying everything over again, I'd probably go with Smith.

I think some of their torches have the lifetime warranty and some don't. So read the find print.

 

[BD1]

SMITH is still MADE IN USA. Here's a local supplier by me, WELDERS SUPPLY in Wisconsin. I did buy my MILLER CST 280 from them.

http://www.weldersupply.com/P/317/SmithCompleteMediumDutyO $ 195.00

 

[AndyA]

I've read good things about the AW1A, any maintenance issues? Did you get this in a set or purchase separate?
Motoretro

No issues whatsoever. I'd have no hesitation making that purchase again.

I bought the AW1A handle, the AT60 (iirc) attachment, the tips, and the small hose with A-style fittings all at the same time, but they weren't part of a kit. I use this with my existing Victor regulators.

I also bought check valve/flashback arresters that I use at the regulators. The torch has none. It would probably be better if I used them at the torch, but that defeats the point of the small lightweight torch.