Approx cost comparison..??

[Sully2]

1) A good set of gas torches ( Victor...Harris?? etc) complete...( gauges...hose..) with the additon of gas cylinders..and cart to drag it all around on...and its purpose would be for CUTTING stock ONLY...no "welding" using gas

...........................................OR...................................

2) A plasma outfit such as the Hobart Airforce 400 or even the Airforce 250A ( which has a limit of 3/16 inch stock it says???) which I can get for LESS THAT $1300 for the larger equipment and less than $1000 for the smaller 250A model.

I dont have the FOGGIEST IDEA what cylinders cost ( rental and refill) for the gas outfit cost...NOR how fast one goes thru OXY used for cutting.

 

[Sully2]

Awe Cmon fellas!! SOME ONE can give me an idea of what a full "gas" torch setup will run me...tanks...and all. Gauges; hoses..etc..a "full kit" PLUS the cost of tanks and gas

 

[RonMar]

Depends on the size of the bottles you want. A reasonable quality torch kit can be had for under $200(victor compatible). Find a gas supplier in your area and call for local prices on bottles. Buying midsize oxy/acc bottles in my area will set you back another $300 or all up cost about half that of a plasma, your prices may vary. Refils are relitevly inexpensive once you have the bottles and your ammount of use will determine the size you need. The good thing is that if you need/want bigger bottles, you can usually trade the smaller ones in at a good exchange on larger bottles. Some companies also lease bottles. I have known some who have the torches and plumbing and only rent bottles when they have need which ties up deposit money(or you need to start an account) but keeps the overall cost down and you only pay based on need. Myself personally, when I need a torch, I need it right now! I don't really want to have to go pick up bottles so I bought mine.

A plas is great and I would own one if I could justify the expense. The torch cut puts more heat into the metal to deal with and the cuts require more finish work to prep for welding, but a torch does a whole lot more than just cut(heat, temper, bend, shrink, weld, solder, braze ect...) When you gotta heat to loosen or just remove those 3/4" rusted bolts holding a rear bumper on an old truck, you will be glad you have the torch.

 

[Sully2]

Depends on the size of the bottles you want. A reasonable quality torch kit can be had for under $200(victor compatible). Find a gas supplier in your area and call for local prices on bottles. Buying midsize oxy/acc bottles in my area will set you back another $300 or all up cost about half that of a plasma, your prices may vary. Refils are relitevly inexpensive once you have the bottles and your ammount of use will determine the size you need. The good thing is that if you need/want bigger bottles, you can usually trade the smaller ones in at a good exchange on larger bottles. Some companies also lease bottles. I have known some who have the torches and plumbing and only rent bottles when they have need which ties up deposit money(or you need to start an account) but keeps the overall cost down and you only pay based on need. Myself personally, when I need a torch, I need it right now! I don't really want to have to go pick up bottles so I bought mine.

A plas is great and I would own one if I could justify the expense. The torch cut puts more heat into the metal to deal with and the cuts require more finish work to prep for welding, but a torch does a whole lot more than just cut(heat, temper, bend, shrink, weld, solder, braze ect...) When you gotta heat to loosen or just remove those 3/4" rusted bolts holding a rear bumper on an old truck, you will be glad you have the torch.

I thank you sir..and even though I wont need the "weld; solder and braze" aspects of a gas outfit...Ive been thru the rusted nut bolt thing with the set of disks I re-did...and a propane hand held torch dont get it at all...LOL

Thanks again!

 

[DK35vince]

I paid around $500 for my oxy/acc tanks and $150 for the torch kit

 

[CATMAN]

If you buy tanks and a cart. Get big diameter wheels on that cart so you can go over gravel easier. I just modified my Dad's cart about four years ago with some 16"-20" hard tires with spoked wheels I found dumpster-diving at work one day. He originally only had 6" hard tires on it. It rolls much easier now. My setup has 12" air tires on it and it is OK,too. Sometimes, I have to add a little air to bring them back up to 25-30 psi. Just a suggestion.

 

[MadReferee]

I have both a Miller Spectrum 375 plasma cutter and an oxy/acetylene setup. I rarely use the oxy/acetylene anymore except to heat metal to bend it. The plasma is much more versitle and cuts better too.

Cost for a Miller 375 plasma cutter is about $1080. A good Victor oxy/acetylene torch setup with regulators will run just under $250. Prices courtesy of Indiana Oxygen on ebay. Tanks will cost about $150-$175 each to own. Lease terms will vary from supplier to supplier. Cost for oxygen and acetylene refills will depend on your supplier but should run $35-$50 per refill. You will use 2-3 times as much oxygen as acetylene, even more when cutting since it's the oxygen that does the cutting. It will not take very long to empty an oxygen tank if all you are doing is cutting. I own my own tanks and have no problem getting them refilled anywhere locally.