If you had a choice

[Dr Dave]

Yes you will use more oxy with propane, but to get a setup for under $500, this is an option. Later he could get accetalyne tank for welding if needed, or save up for a Mig Have not filled acc tank lately, dealer said price has doubled since a plant had exploded, and supply is short

 

[Gary Fowler]

My acetylene bottle lasts a LOOOOOOONG time. I May have sticker shock when I need to refill it since it has been over a year since my last acetylene refill but I would go for an OA rig and have a propane cutting tip available for standby on a propane bottle, assuming that you have a few BBQ propane tanks around. Cheap investment to have both available for around $10 more just in case. Since O2 goes faster I have a spare O2 bottle but not acetylene all of which I picked up on CL but note the precautions that have been discussed when buying of Craigslist as many sellers dont actually own their bottles which you will find out when trying to refill them.

 

[sandman2234]

My acetylene bottle lasts a LOOOOOOONG time. I May have sticker shock when I need to refill it since it has been over a year since my last acetylene refill but I would go for an OA rig and have a propane cutting tip available for standby on a propane bottle, assuming that you have a few BBQ propane tanks around. Cheap investment to have both available for around $10 more just in case. Since O2 goes faster I have a spare O2 bottle but not acetylene all of which I picked up on CL but note the precautions that have been discussed when buying of Craigslist as many sellers dont actually own their bottles which you will find out when trying to refill them.

The ownership of compressed gas bottles is about as clear as owning a CDL!
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm with the others who suggest you should consider a horizontal band saw. I LOVE mine. When I bought it I already had a Milkwaukee chop saw and a oxy/fuel rig. I use the band saw far more than I use the torch, and I sold the chop saw because I hadn't used it once in the year after I bought the band saw.

It really comes down to this... How may curved cuts do you need to make? You can make straight cuts with a torch, but you can't do curved cuts with a band saw. You can fake it with an angle grinder if you take a lot of time, though.

Regarding the MIG welder... the only advantage I've seen for a MIG over a stick welder is very thin metal. Keep the stick and practice more.

 

[dex3361]

I have one of the HF cold saws and I dont even use my abrasive chop saw any more. I can cut a piece of 1/2 x 4" bar stock in less than a minute. I wish HF made a chop saw type cold saw. Highly recommend this type of metal cutting saw.:thumbsup:

 

[Jesse masterson]

I love my plasma it's sooooo! Easy . Saying that the torch is more versatile of you already have a stick welder and you mainly weld heavier metal than the mig would be my 3 rd choice plasma or oa I think I'd go oxy /ac and save for a really good plasma cutter

 

[1savoy]

Here is a link to a short video for the Evolution cold saw. I have a friend with the Evolution and he has had good luck with it. I have the Milwaukee and love it. Good luck.


http://www.evolutionpowertools.co.uk/downloads/circularsaws.wmv

 

[monckywrench]

I've found six inch diameter cutting wheels on an angle grinder to be fast, accurate, portable and effective. Great for sheet metal tool!

My chop saw hasn't been used in a few years, and my portaband only gets moderate use now. The angle grinder is much more VERSATILE, running wire brushes, rocks, flap discs, etc.

The thin discs cut far more easily than chop saw wheels, and aren't much affected by rough workpieces, rust, and so forth. I also use them on my Milwaukee portable circular saw.

An angle grinder (I use a 6" Metabo) and a Smith Toughcut torch setup plus some LP cutting tips would fit under 500 bucks new and be useful for MANY things for MANY years.


I'd start oxy-propane and hunt an oxygen cylinder on Craigslist and trade papers.

Once you have one oxy cylinder most LWS will let your "trade up" cheaper than buying new.