Cutting torches - need help

[twosocks90]

I have an oxy-acetylene tank set with a welding torch on it. It's the leftmost torch in the picture, the one connected to the hoses with some pieces of electrical tape on them I use that torch to heat bolts and such but it's not a cutting torch.

I have these two Victor torches as well but I have never used them for two reasons: (1) the hose connections don't match the hoses I have and (2) I don't know how to know if they are safe to use or not.

Obviously the hoses I have aren't the best. Someone put electric tape around them for some reason and it's probably a good idea to replace them. Can I get new hoses that will work with both types of torches? The welding and cutting torches each have different fitting sizes. And is it reasonably safe just to try out the cutting torches or should I tear them apart first to check for problems? I haven't used a cutting torch in 10-15 years but it would come in handy around the shop. I just don't know what's the best way to proceed here.

 

[yomax4]

Electrical tape is a No-no.. There are 3 hose fitting sizes. A,B and Rail Road. You wont see rail road much. It's the larges one of the 3. There are adaptors available that screw onto a B fitting to go to an A and Vise versa.. You can also heat with the other two torches just dont push the cutting lever. I have a few mini rose buds that go on these Victor units you simply replace the cutting tip with the mini rose bud. I have acetylene and alt fuel mini's.

 

[Utopia Texas]

Most torches have o rings inside that over the years get brittle, crack and cause problems.
For general cutting I usually use 10 pounds on the acetylene side and 40 pounds on the oxygen side.

 

[nybirdman]

Good advice so far;we always used 7/30 psi for pipe work.Keep any oils away from your regulators.
I would check with a welding equipment shop to have your torches reconditioned.

 

[void777]

bmiszuk
The left torch is a brazing torch used in plumbing single stage middle torch is a two stage rig right side rig is a single stage (gas axe) used for scraping out steel can also be used for cutting yes you want to get a new hoses and add check valves so keep your tips clean and you flame hot.

 

[jaxs]

Don't take anything apart other than changing hose,putting gutting head on torch body and switching tips. Repairing torches is a specialized procedure requiring parts you will have trouble finding. Take everything you have,including tips to a welding supply house. See if they will give you credit for parts you will never use and sell you a torch body with B hose fittings,a cutting attachment for the torch body and some welding tips and cutting tips.
If you can't work something out to trade spare parts or if cost is more than you want to spend,buy hose with B fittings, B fittings for the gauges. That will alow hooking up the cutting torch on right. A #1 or #2 cutting tip is probably all you need for now. That set up will heat as well as cut but will not braze. If you decide to buy a new set,consider one suitable for propane/oxygen. That usually only require's type T hose and special tips because most gauges will handle acetylene and propane. If you plan on brazeing,stick with acetylene because propane won't work for brazng.

 

[yomax4]

Don't take anything apart other than changing hose,putting gutting head on torch body and switching tips. Repairing torches is a specialized procedure requiring parts you will have trouble finding. Take everything you have,including tips to a welding supply house. See if they will give you credit for parts you will never use and sell you a torch body with B hose fittings,a cutting attachment for the torch body and some welding tips and cutting tips.
If you can't work something out to trade spare parts or if cost is more than you want to spend,buy hose with B fittings, B fittings for the gauges. That will alow hooking up the cutting torch on right. A #1 or #2 cutting tip is probably all you need for now. That set up will heat as well as cut but will not braze. If you decide to buy a new set,consider one suitable for propane/oxygen. That usually only require's type T hose and special tips because most gauges will handle acetylene and propane. If you plan on brazeing,stick with acetylene because propane won't work for brazng.

I agree with this. The cost of re-furbishing these torches will be as much or more that a brand new set that will do what ever you want to do.. You have the regulators to consider as well. You don't need a $400 kit. The problem with torches is that for the money, They last too long. You can get a decent kit for under $200 and it will cut 4" and last 20 years or more.

 

[drizler]

Set up a search on craigslist for torch heads and sets. You'd be surprised how manymreally nice old craftsman torches are kicking around out there from the 70s and 80s and they're really nice torches. I got some looking for a tank that came with it and he quickly replaced my victor journeyman set. The price is right too.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I agree with this. The cost of re-furbishing these torches will be as much or more that a brand new set that will do what ever you want to do.. You have the regulators to consider as well. You don't need a $400 kit. The problem with torches is that for the money, They last too long. You can get a decent kit for under $200 and it will cut 4" and last 20 years or more.

I totally agree. I wouldn't waste time and money on refurbishing the equipment that you have. Parts are exorbitantly expensive, as an example, the torch head has 2 small O-rings(about 1/4" and 1/2" in diameter) for sealing the low pressure and high pressure gas connection points between the mixing barrel and the cutting torch head. My welding supplier had them but for $14. For that price I could have gotten a whole box of O-rings.

You can get a new Victor or Unibraze brand (Unibraze is identical to Victor)torch/gauge/hose set for about $200. I would bet that it will cost you more than that just to rebuild your existing equipment. You don't need a huge torch to do most anything on the farm. A Victor series 100 is small but powerful and will cut anything that a larger torch will cut while being lighter and easier to handle. You can add heating/brazing tips (just remove the cutting head) to these torches for about $60 per size. I have an 0, 1,4 that came with my torch kit and added a rosebud tips for my torch. I picked up the rosebud at a going out of business sale for $20 so I added it to my collection.

 

[Big Barn]

Add me to the list of NOT sending out for repair. I sent my torch out because of a popping sound (indicative of a mixing chamber prob) and it was gone for a month with a cost of $140.

Since then I found two brand new IDENTICAL units (Blueshield/Air Liquide) on eBay $150 for the pair.



Terry

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I agree with Gary on refurbishing. I have the HF heavy duty set; gauges, torch, couple tips, cutting attachment, and hose. All for $200. It is a clone of Victor and Victor tips work with it. For what we all do a cutting torch per say is unnecessary. With that set you will never reach the job it won't handle unless you are using a "B" Acetylene tank. For our work heating tips are a must. For most work the average novice uses too large a tips. I have 00 for both welding and cutting plus the larger ones. I also have cutting tips to use with propane instead of Acet. Welding/heating tips don't know the difference in fuel gases. You may need an adapter for the regulator depending on your tank. I do most my cutting w/propane due to cost. I am actually a better O/A welder than an arc welder but have both. O/A works better for small work and thin material using the 00 tip.

Ron

 

[sandman2234]

I don't do much cutting and brazing these days, but I have been very lucky in my dealings with "rebuilt" regulators and torches. Now it does help when you walk across the street and pick up a shovel and help a neighbor dig a trench to the street to replace a septic line, and talk him into changing out the steel water line they buried in the same trench 35 years previous. Digging the trench was a bonding experience with the neighbor, donating the pipe and fittings to change the waterline made a friend of his wife. (increased the water pressure in the house, cut washing machine time in half). Turned out he worked for a welding supply company and they rebuilt regulators as part of their services. (Nowadays it is mostly medical types). As things gather dust on the shelves of major companies, they tend to get tossed or donated to an employee to take home. I have been fortunate to be the one that got to be where this stuff ended up at. My friend retired a few years ago, so the parts have quit coming, but the memory of rebuilt torches and regulators always brings a smile to my face.
I have watched the quality of old Victor, Smith and others slowly decline to what is now considered "heavy duty", a vague resemblance of what they were at one time. Yes, I do like having some old regulators that have been rebuilt, and best of all at no cost, except for the enjoyment of having a friend who could rebuild them. Choose your friends well, and when you can't, may you have the luck of having a neighbor that was the friend mine was. I do miss him, with or without his rebuilding skills.
David from jax

 

[drizler]

Oh here's another thought. I hope you got large tanks because if you don't you probably ought to go buy some. As most of us have found out any of the smaller ones those places like Airgas ( mr personaly most hated) will bend you over and rape you to death. Try, if you can find one to find a small family owned LWS and make them your best friends. Believe my when , if they go away or get bought out by that creeping menace Airgas you will cry and your wallet will bleed.
Why do I despise this outfit so you ask. Simple They've always had lousy business practices when It comes to the little guy and I screamed the last time I got my 90 ft. C 25 tank filled up. WhenI got it filled up again last week and I happened to check on one of the Web groups and I think I officially paid more than anybody else in the history of the world 100 bucks and I got 88 Cubic foot what a deal. :thumbdown::thumbdown: