OA torch sets?

[Romanova]

I got a new subframe for my Galant VR-4 (last new OEM subframe in the country according to Mitsu) and it got a little dinged in shipping. One of the mounting points is pressed in about 5mm, so I figure with some heat, I can bend it back out. Which brings me to oxygen accetalyne torch set ups...

Whats a good brand for the average home mechanic?
Do I need a cart to support/chain the tanks?
Are local rental places good for tanks when you won't be depleting them quickly?

Thanks!

 

[Steve from Socal]

Victor torches; stay far away from the cheap knock off sets. You will need some kind of bottle rack/cart and way to secure the bottles. As far where to get the bottles, may places sell the smaller ones outright. It wouldn't hurt to call a convenient gas supplier to find out about their fill policy and price on an entire set, look at ebay and see if they will match prices? You can buy bottles on ebay along with torch sets if the local places are not competitive. Just be sure somebody will fill your bottles.

Steve

Steve

 

[Romanova]

What is a good bottle size for a home owner/weekend wrencher?

 

[tonydanzah]

why do people always say stay away from the knock offs?
its some bottles which they swap at refill, at least where i went, a guage set and torch, go cheap. its not precision work here

 

[Jared]

Get a victor, smith or harris torch set up. I would buy the bottles its way cheaper in the long run.

 

[Romanova]

Looking at a Victor kit on Ebay as well as carts for the bottles. I can't see myself using this all too often so I am considering renting the bottles... have to call around for prices...

 

[chevy302dz]

why do people always say stay away from the knock offs?
its some bottles which they swap at refill, at least where i went, a guage set and torch, go cheap. its not precision work here

Because unlike most other things you're dealing with a tool that's very dangerous if something goes wrong.

 

[tonydanzah]

and what would go wrong that wouldn't happen with any other torch setup?

 

[Steve from Socal]

Looking at a Victor kit on Ebay as well as carts for the bottles. I can't see myself using this all too often so I am considering renting the bottles... have to call around for prices...

All the smaller size bottles are "owned" so unless you want to lease big bottles you have buy something, I have a Q acc and 80 Cf oxy.

On the cart, check to make sure the shipping is factored in to the on-line price, Horrible Fright has carts.

Steve

 

[lilredex]

Here is my set-up from 1982. Yes, I purchased those tanks then and am away ahead of the game now. Shown are medium duty Victors, "B" acetylene and an 80 Cu. Ft O2 tank. They run out approximately together as long as your cutting is minimal. Doing it again today, I would not change a thing.

If you purchase tanks, treat your receipt as very special........it is, keep it in a safe place. I am on my sixth gas supplier, the other five went bankrupt!!

 

[crewchief888]

i have a set of HF torches on my service truck, small and portable with a plastic carry"case". ive had them for 6 years, and with the exception of replacing the torch hoses when they started to dry rot, no problems.
we have about the same life expectancy on hoses as we do in the shop
i wouldnt hesitate to buy a set for home use, not sure about everyday commercial shop use

 

[speed bump]

Just as a word to those of you worried about it, Victor torches are now made in China.

I think the biggest reason to buy Victor is you can buy parts for it anywhere. Personally I like the Smith cutting torch better but i've never had a Victor let me down either.

As far as bottle size make sure the bottles you get are properly sized for use with a rosebud.

 

[sberry]

One reason to buy a quality torch is knockoffs are not all that much less in price, not like you can buy a comparable one for 10 cents to the dollar. With bottles bigger is better, fills are a lot cheaper and too small gas bottle will not run large tips for heating. Ideal a 140 cf acyt and a 125 or "S" bottle. I should have got a 330 oxy for shop a long time ago but these days most cutting is plasma. I have 2 125/s for shop and 2 for my service truck and an 80 on my pickup but use LP for gas with that one.