Portable torch kit

[FlameOut]

I was going to purchase a portable oxy/Acetylene torch kit, and was thinking of this one from Lowes but then saw this one at Harbor Freight, and it looks identical. Both are the same price, but I have a 15% off coupon for Harbor Freight. Does anyone have any experience with either, and are they actually the same unit?

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

stay way from those....
go with good quality.

 

[tonydanzah]

Those kits are fine for limited use. A buddy of mine has had his for 5yrs. Very portable but you get maybe 30mins max of cutting. Great for junkyards if they let you use them, its the same kit. Most refillers will just swap tanks and the guages are fine.

 

[PCO6]

We used to take a small set like that to the track. They worked well and got us out of a few pinches.

 

[FlameOut]

I already have a Plasma cutter, so really wont be using for cutting. I was thinking I could use these to help in forming and bending metal. I have quite a few small patches/repairs to do on the car I'm restoring, and thought heating the metal would help me to easier get the shape I needed

There is a local add on criagslist for a complete set, but it's double the price of these.

 

[tonydanzah]

if you just heating metal for bending, get yourself 2 mapp torches and use them at the same time. Your going to be way ahead in cost, like i said those tanks last 30mins and then its a trip to the store.

 

[bgott]

If you buy those little torches start stopping at yard sales. Over the years I have picked up three complete sets of extra bottles and never gave over $10- $15 a bottle. The last couple of years I have just passed them by, I have enough to carry into the field for whatever I'm going to do. If you have an HVAC supply nearby they are a great place to trade 'em in for full bottles. They don't check the dates.

 

[flashpuppy]

Just buy a normal set and be done with it. If I remember correctly, those gauges don't fit on standard size bottles.

 

[Crasen]

I have always wondered how good those portable cutting torches worked. It might be an option for people that do not have the space for a full sized set.

 

[JimmyBallew]

Would a plumbers acetylene torch work? The ones that use a single tank of acetylene with a small torch head on a hose.

 

[eaneumann]

I second the MAPP gas if you're not cutting. Cheap, gets very hot, portable, and readily available (Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart...)

 

[Danglerb]

Without oxygen you don't get enough heat to cut, plumbers stuff is for brazing.

 

[ears]

Just buy a normal set and be done with it. If I remember correctly, those gauges don't fit on standard size bottles.

Those things are obscenely over priced to my mind. If you dont need the portability go big. I sold three sets cart, regs, hoses, torch this year 2 for $150 one for $100 with just a torch handle. With owner tanks ready to roll should be in the $300 range, much cheaper to refill and you wont have to worry about too big a tip for your acetylene.

 

[FlameOut]

I found a used set locally on CL I might call about. Does this seem like a decent deal? I really know nothing about these and I'm not sure how big the bottles are. I don't know what they mean by "Q" and "WQ" size

 

[M900]

stay way from those....
go with good quality.

and what brands would those be?

 

[tonydanzah]

and what brands would those be?

...............+1

 

[jpoe]

I passed on a set locally off of CL for $100. Kind of kicking myself now!

 

[alex71]

If you're going to heat metal using a rosebud tip, get a full size setup. Rosebuds are gas-hungry.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have a miller port-a-torch, works well for what it is. Between the dry cut saw and plasma, it gets very little use, I don't need fullsize tanks filling up my shop.

I've cut 3/4" plate with the provided tip, but that's about max.

The only time it gets used is for very thick metal, or preheating for welding.