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Portable oxy/acetylene - cutting torch question

mikec35

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Jun 17, 2011
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I have a portable setup and purchased a harbor freight cutting torch. The fittings are bigger on the cutting torch than the hoses on my portable setup. Would adapter fittings work or do I need to find a portable cutting torch? If fittings will work, where can I get them? Thanks
 
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wise

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Jan 19, 2013
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Ontario. In Canada.
You could, but I wouldn't. I would personally get correct hose fittings and crimp them on the lines. Less complexity = Fewer Leaks down the line.
 

diggerrick

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Dec 1, 2010
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996
I have a portable setup and purchased a harbor freight cutting torch. The fittings are bigger on the cutting torch than the hoses on my portable setup. Would adapter fittings work or do I need to find a portable cutting torch? If fittings will work, where can I get them? Thanks

I did something similar, I replaced everything but the tanks with a HF torch kit. I got the adapter fittings at the gas supply store when I got the tanks filled/exchanged. That was over ten years ago and they still work fine.
 
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mikec35

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Jun 17, 2011
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NC
I think I'd like to try the adapter fittings, especially for no more than I will use the torch. I checked Home Depot and Lowes and didn't see anything that would work. I can try the supply house. Does anyone know what size fittings the smaller and larger units use?
 

WWIIjeep

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May 30, 2012
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Arizona
I checked Home Depot and Lowes and didn't see anything that would work. I can try the supply house. Does anyone know what size fittings the smaller and larger units use?

Don't waste your time going to home improvement stores for welding supplies. Go to whatever welding supplier you get your cylinder gas from.

Standard oxyacetylene hose fittings are "A" size (small) and "B" size (larger). B is used for most things now. A used to be common for small torches, but is pretty much only used for Prest-O-Lite air-acetylene (plumber's) torches now.

A to B (and vice-versa) adapters are readily available from any real welding equipment and cylinder gas supplier.

Take your Harbor Freight torch with you to make sure it fits a standard B fitting, because the last time somebody had a (brand new in the package) Harbor Freight welding hose around here it looked like it had B fittings, but they wouldn't screw onto the B fittings on a US-made torch and regulators.
 
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