Bill,
one of the companies I worked for had purchased one of those small set-up's. I still can't figure out why because we had the larger S & WS (I think that's right) sizes also, and that wasn't the type of place that did things just for the employee's, if you catch my drift. What actually happened was just that. Whenever any body needed the blue wrench for home use they would borrow it. This resulted in the darn cylinders always coming back empty so pretty soon the whole thing disappeared, I think the boss hid it in his desk to avoid the hassle.
The point is they were always put back empty and therefore useless when needed.
No doubt they are very handy when you need to cut the lock of the neighbors shed to get your wheelbarrow back
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.
When I went looking for a set for myself this is what I learned:
Acetone absorbs many times it's own weight of acetylene, a usefull factoid for the Cliffy Clavins of the world.
The largest cylinders I can own, rather than lease, is the B size, about 40 cuft of acy and about 75 cuft of oxy (Praxair).
Since I bought them this is what I learned:
Different size cylinders need different size regulator connectors.
The cuft cost for refills goes up as the cylinder size goes down.
It seems for the average homeowner this size is a decent choice. You can weld for a long time (hours) without running out.
Cutting 1/4" steel will eat up the oxy in about 45 minutes, plus or minus a little.
The B size is the largest I would consider easily portable.
They sell magnifiers for inside the goggles, they are a good thing, I use them, my eyes suck.
Sometimes a respirator would be nice too.
You can fill the garage with smoke in no time at all.
Molten steel takes no prisoners, gloves are not enough, think of your feet too.
Keeping the tip out of the puddle is important if you like your hair, hair burns away a lot faster than it grows back.
It is good practice to have someone keep watch over you when working inside a building. Did I mention that wood burns almost as easily as hair and you can fill the garage with smoke faster than you can say nine one one?
Leaves will burn just as easily as wood and hair.
Body panel sound deadener is a close second to wood.
Don't pick your nose with blackened fingers and then go to the store for supplies. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
There's much more but it just becomes too shameful.
I have learned that to truely appreciate any tool you must use it, the torches are one of the most appreciated items I own.
Bottom line, I'd be surprised if you could cut for five minutes with the little guys, (I never found out because they were always empty when I needed 'em), but if that's all you will ever need then go for it.
Today it would be nice to occasionally remember those who sacrificed so we could openly discuss such trivia.
Best of luck,
Martin
