good acetylene torch set to buy??

[kilog55]

i was looking at the campbell hausfield set but does it matter which brand you get? is one better then the other? what would you reccomend for a first timer?

[binder56jd]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200357990

[AlleyCat]

Is there a Lowe's near you? I saw a nice set made by Harris at my local Lowes for a tad under $200. It has regulators, hoses and a torch head with interchangable tips. The tanks are what's expensive. You can rent, lease or by them outright.

Airco, Harris, Oxweld and Victor are good names.There are others.

[Leadfoot]

Harris and Victor are top picks for me.

and also acetylene? why? its not the 1900's propane is much cheeper, and better in my opinion. that is if you you change to a propane tip. and know how to set the torch to the proper flame.

oh and make sure you get flame arrestors to. safety first remember
nothing suchs more than back firing torches and flaming hoses.

[3406kris]

Victor seems to be the one I see in most professional shops, and I find they are quality torches. I believe they are made in America too.

Another brand to check out is Smith, again, Made in America:

http://www.smithequipment.com/index.html

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200357990

[NM5K]

I don't think propane gets hot enough for what
I use it for. Or at least the "mapp" gas type torches.
Almost useless for good brazing of copper pipe.
They just barely get hot enough to use. Real borderline,
and the joints will look real sloppy and "cold".
With the oxy-acetylene torches, I get plenty of heat,
and the solder flows like butter when I make the
joints. Real smooth and much less prone for leaks.

[Leadfoot]

well think what you want, as I said I know propane works, Sh*t at the foundry thats all we use. and we do melt in bronze, copper, and brass right in to the casting voids. so unless you are using a iron based magic filler/rod I don't know what you are talking about. I would recommend learning to set the flame proper, and use the right tip on that ever torch you use.

but with that said a torch to me is a cutting tool first. and a scab welder second.

[NM5K]

I do set the flame proper and the right tip, if you
are talking about an oxy-acetylene rig.
But I've never heard of anyone using propane
as far as brazing. Not saying it doesn't exist, but in
30+ years of doing A/C work, I've never seen a single
person using it. Heck, I've never seen one period,
unless you are talking about the little "mapp"
torches. And like I say, those are useless as they
are single gas propane. Just don't get hot enough.
I do very little cutting. I have a cutting tip, but I
might use it once every couple of years or so.
Almost all of my torch use is sweating copper
pipe, and the oxy-acetylene torch is perfect for that
job.
I don't care about the cost of the gas, as it's just
passed it on to the customers. I don't really pay for it,
per say.. It's not really all that much anyway.

Are you talking about a propane-oxygen torch?
I'd have to look into that, if you are. I've never seen
one that I recall. It's probably more for industrial
use I suppose.
Thats the main problem with the little mapp torches.
No extra oxygen.. Just pure propane..
They may well use propane for what you are
doing, but I've never seen one being used for
sweating copper joints. Not even once, except
the mapp torches, and those usually leave a butt
ugly weld.. I refuse to use those myself.
Well, take that back, I do keep one I use for quick
starting my Bar B Q grill, and campfires... :/

[BobbyFord]

I prefer Purox for my oxy/acet needs...

[RedneckTexan]

One name, Victor, don't mess with anything else.

I totally agree. made in america and lasts forever!

[lifted72]

I really like victor, I won a ESAB torch set in a welding competition, and it worked well, until it got hot, then it turned to crap.

[OldRedFord]

Use victor torches at school, have a smith here at home. Like them both.

[Jake11]

Scab weldor? They built a lot of Navy ships with "scab weldors". Acetylene burns hotter than "Mapp" or "Propane"
or any known gas. Using a "scab weldor" torch, 1" steel plate can be fused as good as arc process.

As for torches, get whats easy to get tips and parts for. That's usually "Victor". They make nice stuff. If your just
gonna use it once in a while, a 55cu.ft.O2 & B tanks will do fine. You'll want a cutting torch, a rosebud, striker an flints.
Get some 3/32" flux coated brass too. A 1/2 pound will do. Then you can cut 1/2" or even thicker steel plate, braze
sheet metal & cast iron, heat up nasty stubborn bolts. Get some weldors gloves too. They make different size tips.
"oo" and up. Like way teeny to huge. For flame size control for different metal sizes/thickness. Make sure the torch
handle you buy can use a cutting rig, rosebud, has lots of tips that fit it. Then your set. Practice Practice Have At It!!
Have fun with it, Jake

[willowbilly3]

FWIW there are other brands that use the Victor type of metal to metal seal. The o-ring styles are fine for nice well mannered cutting but when you start doing any demo or abusing them much, as in the mentioned overheating, you will see what I mean about the O-rings. Sometimes I have to keep a bucket of water to cool mine off.

[papabug71]

I have been to 3 years worth of welding school & I have always used Victor torches. Always had good luck with them. You cant demo a battleship with them, but they will handle most anything you can throw at them. Just dont ask it to do the impossable.

As for propane, I have never really used it, so I cant say much about it. Always used stinky gas. However, every welding instructor I have ever talked to has told me: "Propane is for home heat & BBQ grills, not cutting torches".