If I could only have one cutting tool...?

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm sure that buying new would be the best, but I still want to look at used a bit.

What should I look for.? AlanB mentioned trying it out before buying. What should I do while trying it out?

What kind of price would be good?

 

[HomeBrew2]

I do have to admit that from time to time I do cheat when using my abrasive saw by dressing the disc with a diamond bench-grinder-dressing tool ... no prob cutting square and no prob burning slivers off to get exact lengths

 

[escavader]

ONLY ONE?
I Would have to know what i had in my future for projects,or repairs.If it involved alot of auto mechanics,then my choice would be torch.If it involved fabing a heavy duty tractor implement such as my thumb...than a plasma cutter.I have neither of my own ,but have access to them at work.In my own shop,its sawzall,but an even better thing i discovered in the lasT year,are these paper thin grinding wheelsfor my grinder.Ive tried alot of wheels in the past,bit the ones i buy now are the cats pajamas.can cut exactly on my marks ,quickly,through 1/4 inch angle,and just about any thing.There is no grinding when you are done its nice and smooth and even similar to a factory edge.Made by norton,cant recall what number sitting here If i got something major,like i just removed the wedge on my splitter,that 9 inch hf grinder made short work of it .I also cut steel in hard places with my welder .Bottom line is for most of what i do,having my own torches isnt sensible.The space they take up,and the contracts etc...i can survive just fine without for what i do.Thats why i have most every tool except my own torches.Heres a pic of my splitter i built with welder,grinders and a sawzall.
ALAN

 

[radman1]

I had a chop saw first, then used 12" band saw and lastly used victor torch set with large tanks. For my limited use, the delta chop saw gets used most. The cuts are really good enough for my fabrication needs. The chop saw also gets used a lot for cutting retaining wall block and pavers (change the blade from metal to concrete). Chop saw is quick and fast to use and relatively cheap. Torch is used mostly for cutting off things that won't fit in chop saw or band saw. Takes a fair amount of grinding to smooth edge with torch. Each has their pros and cons. No one best tool. Reciprocating saw with metal blade is also the best in some conditions but more difficult to get true cuts.

 

[AlanB]

I'm sure that buying new would be the best, but I still want to look at used a bit.

What should I look for.? AlanB mentioned trying it out before buying. What should I do while trying it out?

What kind of price would be good?

I would want to try it and make sure that the tips are burning cleanly and all the tips are clear producing uniform cones, I also want to feel the valves in action, with the flame on so I can see how it is reacting.

I want to turn my torches off and make sure there is no bleed through on the valves (ie, small flame continues)

I want to make sure that there is not a lot of popping, and carrying on indicating that I have an air leak somewhere, I also want to visually look at the o-rings and make sure that they are not deteriorated. I want to screw each tip, attachment etc. on insuring that those expensive tips that have beaten around in some metal box on the back of the cart have not had their threads or seats damaged.

I want to make certain that it "tears" as I apply oxygen on the cutting side. Not sure exactly how to describe this, but it should sound like a tearing sheet as you apply the oxygen and everything is "right"

Torches are just like many tools, I would look around the shop, and if they keep their shop nice, then the tools are probably well maintained, however, if everything is thrashed, torches are one of those tools that can get really thrashed by mishandling.

Price? Beats me New set of Lincolns at Lowes is about $180 (Harris's I think) I would think a new set of Victor would be in about the $200 to $300 range depending upon vendor and the set. Norm for me on used tools is about half, but others often feel differently.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I have a torch outfit, a portable band saw, a chop saw, sawzalls, several grinders (w/ cut-off wheels) and a cheap-o plasma cutter. All have their uses. Which one would I fight the hardest to KEEP if someone was to take away all but one? Without a doubt, the torch. With practice, you can make cuts with gas that look almost "sawed". The contractor I work for employs about a dozen iron workers. A couple of those guys can "fit" steel with a torch that'll look almost "machined fit".

 

[Renze]

A couple of those guys can "fit" steel with a torch that'll look almost "machined fit".

Yea maybe some folks can... but the average TBN hobby construction worker can't... i work in steel by profession too, but my torching needs some serious de burring... you've gotta have a very, very steady hand and lots of experience to make a torch cut worth looking at, even from a distance...

 

[toolaholic]

I have a shop with tools ,most men dream of! In the welding dept. 3 machines ,plasma ,7x12" metal band saw over 300 lbs. cut off saw ,porta band full size victor torch set. ect. One of the things we do is welding. BUY A GOOD TORCH SET. OH. TOM ,SEMPER,FI ,BROTHER

 

[cp1969]

Now I need advice what to look for...

-I've gathered that Victor is a good brand. Are there other "You can't go wrong" brands?
-Within these brands are there some models to steer clear of?
-If I find a used torch in the back of someone's grandpa's garage for a steal, what do I look for to see if it's worth it?

Smith and Harris are good brands, too. Smith, I think, is the only brand still made in the USA and has a lifetime guarantee on their better units.

I would move up one notch from the cheapest line of torches anybody offers. You can get a good outfit for less than $300 brand new. Unless you stumble on to a fantastic bargain on a used set, I wouldn't think it would be worth the time looking.

I would also think a medium duty outfit would be plenty for most users on this forum and sometimes a little (jeweler's) torch is mighty handy.

I also learned something the other day--that aluminum can be welded with a torch. I didn't think that was possible.

 

[fiddler kelly]

I have both chop saw and torch. Chop saw does an okay job, sometimes when chopping it stops cutting down through like it brought up on a harder piece of steel and requires a little more pressure and when breaking through it cuts find again.
I use to use acetylene but have changed to propane and o2 instead ,a lot cheaper and cuts find for me .Depends on what you are cutting .

If you are looking for it for backyard usage go with the propane as for which tool I would have to say torch