Need opinions for this tool

Pooh_Bear · Jan 26, 2006

I was in Lowes today killing time and I saw this torch set.
BernzOmatic Mapp/Oxy Torch

What do you think of this tool.

I don't do a lot of cutting and have little use for a torch.
I suppose that would change if I had one.
But in the past I haven't used one very often.
At the last house we lived in I had a set of full size o/a tanks and torch.
The acetyline tanks was still 1/4 full when we moved
and the oxy tank had been filled one time in 30 years.
They just didn't get that much use. And we didn't have papers on them.
The guy that bought the house wanted them so we left them for him.

Most of what I cut will be 3/32 to 5/16, probably around 1/8
Other stuff I do is heating and bending. Maybe light brazing.

So what do ya'll think of this tool.

Pooh Bear

ronjhall · Jan 27, 2006

When cutting I use 4 tanks of oxygen to 1 acetylene. Lowe's want $8.37 for one tank of oxygen. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif It will not take much of a project to use up a couple of tanks. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif But if you just use it occasionally it may be better than putting out for a full sized set.

MadReferee · Jan 27, 2006

Based on your stated needs you will be greatly disappointed in this unit, especially for welding the thicknesses you mentioned.

That unit is designed for light brazing like a plumber would do. I don't think it is suitable for welding anything more than sheet metal and I don't think it can cut efficiently anything more than sheet metal either.

The Bernzomatic website only says it is good for light brazing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I would go for an inexpensive oxy/acetylne setup with small (less than 80cf) tanks. These are the small tanks you buy and exchange when empty. Any welding shop and several of the Ebay dealers have them.

BB_TX · Jan 27, 2006

I have one that I inherited from my FIL. Haven't used it much, but like Ron said, goes thru oxy cylinder in nothing flat. And they ain't cheap.
Local Home Depot is now handling tanks for acetylene and oxy in various sizes from standard large size to a couple smaller sizes also.

MadReferee · Jan 27, 2006

Just a side note.

From what I understand from reading posts on welding forums, the MAPP flame is about 300-400 degrees cooler than the acetylene flame. This severely limits the metal thinckness that can be used with MAPP. However, this characteristic makes MAPP ideal for brazing.

EddieWalker · Jan 27, 2006

I've never used or even seen one of those set ups, but from the replies you got so far, it seems sort of like a specialty tool and not very practical for too many projects.

I bought the small gas/oxy set awhile ago. The tanks are in a plastic holder with a handle that I can carry around real easy. They last long enough to handle just about any project I've come across and I've been able to cut holes in steel 1 1/2 inches thick. It wasn't pretty, and I had to go at it from both sides, but it did the job!!!

Both tanks run out just about the same time and run around $35 to exchange them.

Good luck,
Eddie

RonMar · Jan 27, 2006

That thing looks like the follow on to the old "Solid-OX" torch that used chemical pellets burning in a container to generate the oxygen. Good for brazing and that is about it. I think you would be much happier with the small conventional torch set mentioned by others here. The beauty of those is that they use conventional torch tips so you can go from a tiny 00 tip for fine welding of thin sheet and brazing all the way up to a large rosebud for heating and bending large bar stock. Very versitile, I have even used one to make Coffee

. They also use conventional regulators and fittings so if you have a big project come your way, you can lease larger bottles for the job.

Birdhunter1 · Jan 27, 2006

Those wrok hafl-butt for brazing copper lines for refrigeration lines or softer thinner materialsliek that but for steel the thickness you are looking at you won't like that torch one bit.

What you'd be best off with is one of those portable oxy/ acetylene torch pack units. Those things are so handy everybody ought to have one!

Bird · Jan 27, 2006

I'm not so sure about that one that Lowes has; doesn't look too good. But several years ago, I bought a rig from one of the major welding supply dealers in Dallas. It used a refillable oxygen bottle (20 cu. ft.) and the one pound Mapp gas bottles, came in a red plastic carrying case with hoses, lighter, adjustable gauges, goggles, and cutting, welding, and brazing tips for the torch. I eventually used it for all those things. A neighbor had the handle break off his fertilizer spreader and I brazed it back on and it held just fine for him to hang it by that handle in the garage when he wasn't using it. I cut up and welded bed frame rails to make a rack for another neighbor to use to hang the works from grandfather clocks while he worked on them. You can definitely cut and weld with Mapp/Oxygen rigs, but I don't know the maximum thickness of steel that you can handle. The rig I had "looked" just like this rig except for the one pound Mapp gas cylinder instead of acetylene.

RonMar · Jan 27, 2006

( You can definitely cut and weld with Mapp/Oxygen rigs, but I don't know the maximum thickness of steel that you can handle.)

The Lincoln Port-a-torch kit brocure says it cuts to 1" and welds to 1/16". With additional larger tips, cuts to 4" and welds to 1/2" are possible.

You can find similar kits for less than the price they want for the lincoln kit at other sources, but you want to make sure they are compatible with a standard type torch accesories such as Victor so you can get parts at a local weld shop. You can also find kits without the bottles which you then rent/lease/buy locally(no shipping on the bottle weight).

QRTRHRS · Jan 27, 2006

If you were close, you could have mine. It sits in a box of yard sale stuff in my basement.

elad · Jan 27, 2006

I think you would be throwing your money away. Those
little torches are almost useless except for making pieces
too hot to touch, but not hot enough to do any real heat work.
Ace/ oxy. is the way to go.
Just my opnion from years of experience.

blackmajicwoman · Jan 27, 2006

I purchased the port-a-torch kit sold at BOC. Kit came with eveything, 5# ace and 20# ox, 10ft of hose, regulators, welding set up and cutting set up, as well as the back flow valves. Also came with gloves, goggles, striker, differnt tips, and the plstic case it all stored in. I use it mainly to heat up stobborns nuts and bolts, as well as bend steel. I save the cutting for my plasma and the welding for my mig. The gas set up is great, I have had to fill (exchange) twice at $35/ pair. I paid $299 for the set and haven't regretted it yet. I am very pleased with this set up. This is a cheap, needed set up for my light fabrication work. It works great for me.

Pooh_Bear · Jan 28, 2006

I wouldn't be welding with this setup.
I got a small 100amp arc welder off ebay for $5.
It's just one of those cheap harbor freight Arc110 welders.
But I have used it and it works fine for me so far.
I do use the 220volt setting only.

I bought this torch set today and I plan on putting it to use
tomorrow (Saturday). I will know then if it is worth it.
If it will cut 1/8 soft steel I will be happy.

And this setup can be used with propane.
So I can get one of those BBQ grill propane tanks to use.
And then just use oxy tanks.

Should know tomorrow how well it works.

I have a very nice oxy/ace torch set with hoses and gauges.
I just don't have tanks. And tanks are way expensive for me.
I don't have enough need for them. I have no where to store them.
So I just can't justify that kind of expense.

Pooh Bear

Taylortractornut · Jan 28, 2006

You could put a propane tip in your torch and use oxygen. you can buy a medium bottle for around 150 to 200. Youll use more oxygen but its still more efficient than a Mapp setup. I use the same set up for a welding shop when cutting out double plated beems and such. Its easier than acetylene in this type adn on some sheet metal. Ive burned alot of 1.250 plate with O/P setups In my own shop I rarely use it unless the downtown shop is out of acetylene.

Pooh_Bear · Jan 28, 2006

Today was a very nice day to be out so I got out and tried some stuff.
First I wanted to try welding. I found two pieces of metal
both were about 1/4 inch thick. I layed one flat and
propped the other up and welded them together in a T shape.
Turned the welder up as high as it would go and used a 3/32 rod.
Let it all cool off for a while and took the metal out in the road
and slammed it down on the pavement to try and break it apart.
Then I got a sledgehammer and tryed to beat it apart.
I couldn't break the weld I made. So I guess I got it right.
It wasn't pretty, but it held together real good.

Then I got the little torch outfit and was gonna cut the pieces apart.
It wouldn't cut thru that thick metal. Got hot enough to melt it.
But it just wouldn't cut it. All I could do is make a puddle.
Guess I will see how good Lowes return policy is.

Ok, I got a regular size torch and hoses and guages.
I just don't have tanks. I will have to buy an oxy tank.
I can get a BBQ grill propane tank. But how do I hook it up.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

Taylortractornut · Jan 29, 2006

An acetylene regulater has the same threads as an older propane tank. I still refill my old tanks in town rather than have the regulater threads changed Im sure you can find an old tank somewhere. I have about 14 that are half full that have been donated to me. Most refilling yards want you to bring in the torch when you do this as a cover to refill the tank. I dont have any trouble doing this. I did have to wire brush a tank and paint it once. Just changethe tip and you have it. I think a tip is about 25 dollars.

63DH8 · Jan 29, 2006

( I have a very nice oxy/ace torch set with hoses and gauges.
I just don't have tanks. And tanks are way expensive for me.
I don't have enough need for them. I have no where to store them.
So I just can't justify that kind of expense.

Pooh Bear
)

I started out with the smaller tanks. When I went to refill them, the gas dealer informed me that they were having a sale on tanks. It would cost me more to refill the smaller tank than buy a full larger tank. Natually, I jumped on the deal! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You may want to call around and see if the gas dealers have sales on tanks. You should be able to get them cheaper that way. You can also rent the tanks out. I don't like paying extra, so I bought mine outright.

bobodu · Jan 29, 2006

There is a seller of new tanks on ebay including valve and free shipping.I think a new oxy tank was about $150.Seem to recall reading in a welding textbook that you will use three times more oxygen using propane over acetylene due to the lesser heat produced.
I ended up renting my tanks.Rental,filling and a couple of tips cost me $317!!! Big slap in the wallet!! The deposit was $100 per tank,but that's money in the bank so to speak.Rental fee is $15 per month.If you do buy some,new or used,many places will want a reciept as proof of ownership or a signed affidavit.TSC has an exchange program.