Quick question, is it worth the money to buy a quality gas welding/brazing/cutting set up from the local welding shop for $300+ or would a $89.00 set up from e-bay work just as well for light duty cutting with the occasional brazing/welding?

I am just teaching myself to weld. I don't do much yet. I just want opinions on if I will regret saving the money now. I hate to skimp on tools. It seems it is always more expensive to buy the cheap tools cause I have to replace them with the quaility one's eventually. Will it be the same with a cheap torch?

Thanks for helping a welding newbie out.

I would say it depends on how often you plan on using it. If you use it every day, spend the extra and get a good one. If it's going to be maybe once a month, then maybe get the cheaper one.

One more thing, tank rental is expensive. I paid like $500 for a 10 yr lease.

All I can say on this is to go with established brands like Victor or Harris...... go too cheap or with offshore brands and you will have nightmares trying to find replacement tips and spares etc...

Another thing to consider... if you are using the setup for gas welding /cutting or for cutting only... you can save big $$$ by switching to oxy/propane if you will only need the torch for cutting...(you will however need to get the two piece propane style cutting tip )

Well, have you ever been doing a job, and said to yourself, "Dang it, I wish I had bought that made-in-china cheapo tool instead of this good one?"

What you want from an oxyacetylene torch is valves that stay where you set them, and a ready source of extra tips, O-rings, etc. With experience, you can get by with one or two sizes too large a tip, but having just the right one really makes it easier to learn.

If I was using it for a living, I'd want two-stage regulators, but they are just a luxury for us hobbiest types. Good idea, but an expense you can easilly get by without.

This is not what I did, but if I was doing it again, I'd visit welding shops (or gas suppliers) and see what sort of deal they'd do setting me up with tanks, and cutting/welding outfit. Your going to have to deal with them on the tanks anyway, and they might make you a good deal on the equipment just to get your custom on the gas. Much easier to get them to jump through hoops to find spare parts if they sold it to you. Just make sure the torch is a model they carry a lot of different tips for.

You can save some money by building your own bottle cart, which is a good non-critical project for a beginner.

Seems like most of the shops around me carry a good selection of stuff for Victor torches, which does me no good because I have a Harris and a Meco midget for the thin stuff.

The Meco is a joy to use, but my Harris (the cheapest one they make...model 1000 maybe?) requires constant attention, and the valves move just a little right when you let go of them, then a little more over the next 10 seconds or so.

Mostly the Harris gets used for cutting, though it does have bigger tips than the Meco which can be handy for brazing large stuff. (I'll stick weld anything too thick for the Meco) The cutting head on the Harris does work quite well though.

Originally posted by Kevbo
Well, have you ever been doing a job, and said to yourself, "Dang it, I wish I had bought that made-in-china cheapo tool instead of this good one?"...

I usually end up saying that when I open my credit card statement. :)

i dont use my torch for anything but cutting so i got one of the everything in one box (except tanks) deals from harbor freight for like $99. i been using it about 4 to 5 days a week for the last 3 months and its worked fine for me. but i dont really expect much from it.

Dallas

I just got into O/A myself.

I did some research, and asked some local pros about brands etc.

Then I went to my welding supplier (from whom I bought my MIG and gas) and asked for quotes on tanks and gas, and a complete package.

Then I visited the local pawn shops and used tool traders, and I actually found a decent looking Victor torch, complete with regs, hose, AND flashback arrestors for <$100. The guy said I could bring it back no problem if it didn't work, so I bought it, then went to the supplier for bottles and gas, and I was so pleased with myslef I splurged on a pre-built cart (which is actually really nice)

Bottom line - used is ok with some kind of guarantee is good, but I wouldn;t go cheap with some unknown offshore brand. Not only couls it be a PITA, but this is some potentially very dangerous stuff....no wanna go :nuke: because of lousy offshore quality control.

Oh yes - only frequent reputable pawn shops..buying stolen tools SUCKS as it just encourages the thieves.

Originally posted by CRO
All I can say on this is to go with established brands like Victor or Harris...... go too cheap or with offshore brands and you will have nightmares trying to find replacement tips and spares etc...

Another thing to consider... if you are using the setup for gas welding /cutting or for cutting only... you can save big $$$ by switching to oxy/propane if you will only need the torch for cutting...(you will however need to get the two piece propane style cutting tip )
You might want to check on the amount of oxygen it takes to use propane, I don't think you save very much in the long run.

Check out your local pawn shops. Buddy of mine picked up a Harris set with everything but the tanks for $50.
I always hate it when he shows up with his latest and greatest pawn shop find!:mad:
BTW don't know about where you're at but the fee here for a B tank is a one time $75 then $6 to $12 to exchange.

I paid only $125 canadian for my set at the local welding shop, they were not top quality but they lasted four seasons of racing, then I gave them to my bro and he has just now broken them, thats almost ten years of service.
grampa jeep hit it on the head, if you are doing occasional light cutting buy a quality cheap set. most major manufacturers have there "starter kits" these usually come with everything you need but the bottle for a resonable price.

Like the others have said go with name brand, you want to be able to walk into any welding shop and buy tips for your setup, without having to shop around or special order. You can save yourself about $120 if you use oxy/propane and already have a propane tank, like a spare for the BBQ. It is what I use and the only time I wish I had a hotter setup was when I was cutting a couple short straps of 3/8", otherwise it has been fine with 1/4" and smaller. Or instead of Acetylene take a look at MAPP gas, it is hotter than propane but not quite as hot as acetylene 5300 vs 5730, but is also more stable. Think the reason more people don't use Mapp is because they have already invested money in there acetylene tanks.

Being that you are in Reno, you probably already know that Sierra Welding is expensive although that is where I bought my cutting outfit on sale for $150 Victor Medalist Medium. You can find cheaper prices at Airgas on 1545 Industrial Way.

MAPP gas or "Propylene" is just a mixture of Acytelene and propane.