Looking to buy my first torch

[greg86z28]

I'm looking to get my first torch because I need to heat up a shaft on a rototiller that I'm repairing. I've found that there are many more options than anticipated and I don't have a good feel for what I should be looking for.

I'm a hobbyist. One day I'd like to restore a muscle car. At the moment I do a bunch of random tasks around our house. I don't have a business and I'm not going to be using it daily for a job. But I like vintage things and I'm always tinkering.

My thoughts on what I might use it for:
Heating up seized parts (bolts, shafts, etc)
maybe some (but rarely) cutting - although up to this point I've always just used my 4.5" handheld grinder
maybe some (but rarely) fabrication

What other tasks might I need something like this for? Maybe I'm missing a common use.


I'd like something made in the USA. I like Miller products, I own a 211 MIG welder and have been satisfied with it. Any recommendations?

Thank you

 

[MJD1]

Smith is made by the same company that owns Miller. Many if not most of the Smith torches are lifetime warranty and USA made. Check out weldersupply for good pricing on Smith products.

 

[abachman]

I have the Victor 100 series and like it well as a hobbyist. I do some welding, cutting and brazing easily with it.

 

[jubilee]

I would recommend the Victor performer kit for you. Some people say Victor makes the kit sold at Harbor Freight. I don't know if that's true or not. HF kit about $135 with coupon. Bottles is where the expense is. Auctions, CL, farm sales are an option if you're not in a hurry.

 

[gdocktor3]

First of all, look into propane/oxy torches, not acetylene. A hobbyist home owner does not need acetylene. With that said, as a "heavy diyer" I bought a Victor made Firepower 350 off eBay brand new for $140 last year and it is awesome. Everything I needed in one box. I've since picked up an older Victor and an older Smith also, but to get started, the Firepower is a good buy. The 350 is considered the "heavy duty" set, but they also sell a 250 "medium duty" set. If you have future plans, you may as well spend the money now on a good all around set vs a small torch meant for brazing. Here's an example of the set I bought https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRI5E8U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you do only plan on using it for heating purposes, you can get a small acetylene MC or B tank and a single hose/torch tip setup, similar to this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J060VS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Check Craigslist. This stuff pops up often around me.

 

[Inabox85]

the small one I have uses propane or Mapp and oxygen. just the small disposable tanks.

 

[trackwelder]

First of all, look into propane/oxy torches, not acetylene. A hobbyist home owner does not need acetylene. With that said, as a "heavy diyer" I bought a Victor made Firepower 350 off eBay brand new for $140 last year and it is awesome. Everything I needed in one box. I've since picked up an older Victor and an older Smith also, but to get started, the Firepower is a good buy. The 350 is considered the "heavy duty" set, but they also sell a 250 "medium duty" set. If you have future plans, you may as well spend the money now on a good all around set vs a small torch meant for brazing. Here's an example of the set I bought https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IRI5E8U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you do only plan on using it for heating purposes, you can get a small acetylene MC or B tank and a single hose/torch tip setup, similar to this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001J060VS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Check Craigslist. This stuff pops up often around me.

I would disagree with not going with acetylene. With acetylene you have a wide arrange of welding tips that can pinpoint the right amount of heat where it's needed. Might also want to braze or gas weld as well.

 

[MoonRise]

the small one I have uses propane or Mapp and oxygen. just the small disposable tanks.

BTDT.

That small (actually rather tiny) oxy-fuel flame is small.

The small propane tanks (there is no more actual MAPP gas available, hasn't been available for about 10 years now as the only place that made MAPP gas stopped production. The 'new' yellow cylinder gas is a propylene blend of gas and does not give the same flame temp or overall heat as the old real MAPP gas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAPP_gas )

(back on topic ) small propane tanks are rather expensive for the amount of gas you actually get. And the similarly sized red oxygen cylinders are also very expensive for the amount of gas you get (about $10 retail for 1 ft3 of O2).

The flame is small and fiddly (not all that easy to light, as you have to start with a very small amount of fuel gas and light that then ever so slowly and incrementally increase the O2 and then the fuel and then the O2 etc, etc until you finally get the flame to the desired size and 'balanced' with the fuel-O2 mixture.)

It works, but its limits are rather small and it is fiddly.

Check this thread for a rather recent discussion about oxy-fuel torches. Including some info that I posted there.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354674

 

[Cope]

In Texas, Victor is King. Before you buy, see what brand consumables are available locally. I think the 100 series Victor would be about perfect, and if you go Smith, whatever is comparable.

 

[gdocktor3]

I would disagree with not going with acetylene. With acetylene you have a wide arrange of welding tips that can pinpoint the right amount of heat where it's needed. Might also want to braze or gas weld as well.

He's a hobbyist looking to heat up frozen fasteners and "maybe" cut some stuff.

 

[PBCampbell]

Harris is another brand worth a look. As others have said, propane will do all you want. If you ever get to a welding project, just get an appropriate tip and acetylene.

 

[trackwelder]

He's a hobbyist looking to heat up frozen fasteners and "maybe" cut some stuff.

And for what he wants to do an acetylene outfit with several welding tips would be perfect.

 

[PBCampbell]

No difference between propane and acetylene other than the tip and gas, unless you get into some rare specialty torches.

 

[slackdaddy1]

Go with the Victor performer and be done with it.
I bought a My Victor set (Tote with small tanks) when I was in my teens, I am now in my 50's. have not regretted that purchase one single day

 

[trackwelder]

No difference between propane and acetylene other than the tip and gas, unless you get into some rare specialty torches.

Are you kidding me? You cannot beat a small welding tip for heating items up quickly in tight confined areas without burning everything else that surrounds it. One of his main goals is going to be auto work. An acetylene setup is perfect for what he wants to accomplish.

 

[PBCampbell]

You're misunderstanding the emphasis of my post. There is no need for anything special, Tips and gas are the differences. A mixing valve that works with acetylene works with propane as well. One modular setup, handle and mixing valve, and the appropriate tips and your ready to go. Small brazing tips for propane should still be available to meet the needs you indicate. I've even got welding tips for propane, although I doubt you'd be able to find those easily these days.

 

[trackwelder]

You're misunderstanding the emphasis of my post. There is no need for anything special, Tips and gas are the differences. A mixing valve that works with acetylene works with propane as well. One modular setup, handle and mixing valve, and the appropriate tips and your ready to go. Small brazing tips for propane should still be available to meet the needs you indicate. I've even got welding tips for propane, although I doubt you'd be able to find those easily these days.

I am not misunderstanding you! I fully understand what you are stating that you can install propane or acetylene "Cutting" tips in most torches. I am talking about welding tips such as #0,#2#4 etc. These tips are very useful especially when heating in confined areas that a cutting or two piece torch can not fit. These tips are Acetylene only.

 

[MoonRise]

Tip availability for different oxy-fuel types (oxy-acetylene versus oxy-propane versus oxy-whatever) varies from brand to brand.

Most 'modern' oxy-fuel torch handles can handle (no pun intended there) the different possible fuels. If using anything other than acetylene as the fuel though, you need Grade T hose (the 'standard' Grade R hose is for use with acetylene ONLY.)

Double-check whatever brand(s) you are looking at in oxy-fuel equipment to see if they have the desired type and size of tips you think you might want/need in the possible fuels that you might be using. Some brands don't have all 'combinations' of size and type and model for all the different fuel types (even just looking at acetylene and propane).

example: Smith (Miller) does not list an oxy-propane welding/brazing tip to fit their heavy-duty WH200A torch handles, but they do list oxy-propane brazing tips (MW411) that fit their medium-duty WH100 torch handle. Oxy-acetylene welding/brazing tips are available for either their heavy or medium duty handles though.

 

[WittHay]

I always thought acetylene is easier to learn on than propane, works better in windy conditions and is more precise for cutting

Propane is definitely cheaper for large cutting and heating jobs. We have a propane Harris heating tip attached to a Victor torch and that thing sounds like a jet engine when you are using it.

 

[Ktmrider83]

I broke a manifold to downpipe stud on a 05 explorer v8. I can hammer a bolt extractor socket on what's left of the stud but what's cheapest way of getting the cast manifold cherry? Thanks

 

[Lwel9226]

I would recommend the Victor performer kit for you. Some people say Victor makes the kit sold at Harbor Freight. I don't know if that's true or not. HF kit about $135 with coupon. Bottles is where the expense is. Auctions, CL, farm sales are an option if you're not in a hurry.

The harbor fright torch IS NOT the same as Victor . . . it is a china copy.....
Stay very-very far away from HF torches....

I have also heard that their oxygen and acetylene cylinders have problems and cannot be filled, but have not confirmed that to be fact....

A Victor Performer set would be very good size to start with, and will serve you well for many years..... Harris and Smiths are also good quality equipment.....

Acetylene is the best choice for fuel gas, it can produce higher heat than propane and is easier to control......

Good Luck..... LynnW

 

[mbshop]

Just get a small oxy acetylene set that fits in a little tote and yer good to go for a loooooong time. My set is over 16 years old. Wouldn't be without one.