Torch Options?

[nooblet]

I'm slowly building up my metal working tools. I just bought a chop saw and a HH210. Now I need a cutting torch. Whats the best way to get one? I've been watching craiglist and have seen quite a few setups going for $400-500 used. Northern tools has a setup for $700 + $100 to get the bottles filled.

Whats the story on filling used tanks? I imagine there is a lifespan on them right?

I don't want to rent bottles by the way, I want to own this outright.

I'll be using it for pretty light duty stuff, I just have my Scout that I'll be working on and thats pretty much it.

So what should I be looking for?

Thanks,
Chris

[ryan_m]

At stores like prax air or air gas you have to buy the tank and then you just bring in your empty tank and they swap it out for a full tank when you need it filled.
As for torches and gauges I have really liked the victor products.

[aosborne]

TSC has the most convenient setup I have seen. They will exchange a tank you verify that you own, for a full tank, just like your propane tank for your grill at grocery stores. You can also buy a tank there and exchange it as you run out. If nothing else, their hours are better than any welding store locally. Best of all if you are making a trip somewhere other than where you bought your tank, you can find a TSC and exchange your tank there, rather than going to the original store.

[orange02ss]

For not much more you can purchase a plasma cutter. You can't cut non ferrus metals with the torch. Plasma cutter is much easier also. If you do go for the oxy act i have always had good results with victor.

[4x4not]

While a plasma IS nicer for cutting, a torch is much more useful. If you can wait, I ended up finding a decent torch setup on craigslist for $250 will full tanks. I also own a small plasma cutter :)

[void_of_light]

TSC also has a gas pony kit. http://gaspony.com/ it has a victor torch size 3 bottles, bottle dolly, glasses, gloves and a striker for $650 plus the cost of filling the tanks. I do most of my work on weekends when the local welding supply store is closed. its nice to be able to exchange bottles on Sunday.

[mondtster]

While a plasma IS nicer for cutting, a torch is much more useful. If you can wait, I ended up finding a decent torch setup on craigslist for $250 will full tanks. I also own a small plasma cutter :)

I agree. I kind of wish I would have bought a torch set before I bought a plasma cutter since it is ultimately more useful. The plan from day one was to have both of them in my shop anyway though...

[nooblet]

While a plasma IS nicer for cutting, a torch is much more useful. If you can wait, I ended up finding a decent torch setup on craigslist for $250 will full tanks. I also own a small plasma cutter :)

Thats what all my friends have told me, hence me looking for the torch instead of the plasma. Eventually I plan on owning a plasma also, but for now I think a torch would be a better option for me.

Does anyone know about the bottles? How do I tell if they are ok? Does the bottle have to meet a certain standard for TSC to swap it out? This is what I'm concerned about more than anything else.

Most of the torch setups I've seen on craiglist for $500 are Victor's.

Thanks guys,
Chris

[aosborne]

Does anyone know about the bottles? How do I tell if they are ok? Does the bottle have to meet a certain standard for TSC to swap it out? This is what I'm concerned about more than anything else.

Here are the guidelines: http://www.gaspony.com/UNNACEPTBLECYLINDERGUIDELINES.htm

Of course these are Gaspony's rules, no promises that whoever is exchanging the tank actually knows them.

[nissancrawler]

$400 plasma, $200 port-a-torch setup. With the plasma, I maybe use my torch 1 out of 100 times compared to the plasma. When I need a torch, I break out the port-a-torch setup, use it, and put it away for another 6-12 months.

Before the plasma, I burned through 6 sets of the small tanks in 2 months of fabricating. I've been on the same set of tanks for 2.5 years now that I've had the plasma.

Consider your oxy/acetylene cost vs. plasma consumables. I just put a new tip on the plasma for the first time, and I've had it for several years.

[orange02ss]

dont forget about the cost of the bottles which depending on size is $230-250 each. The torch was the first thing i bought when i started, when i got the mig and the plasma, the only time i ever pull it out is to heat up a stuck bolt every once in awhile.

[nooblet]

$400 plasma, $200 port-a-torch setup. With the plasma, I maybe use my torch 1 out of 100 times compared to the plasma. When I need a torch, I break out the port-a-torch setup, use it, and put it away for another 6-12 months.

Before the plasma, I burned through 6 sets of the small tanks in 2 months of fabricating. I've been on the same set of tanks for 2.5 years now that I've had the plasma.

Consider your oxy/acetylene cost vs. plasma consumables. I just put a new tip on the plasma for the first time, and I've had it for several years.

Hrm, I think I like this idea! :idea:

Which $400 plasma are you referring to? The chinese one?

Chris

[actionpaintball]

I do not use my torches or shielding gas that often. One thing to consider is going with two sets of smaller tanks-that way you will always have gas on hand. I have two Oxygen, two acetylene and two shielding tanks (small 20 pound sized tanks) but I always have a full back up. My local ARCET distributor only allows private ownership of the smaller tanks with no rental agreement-so that made my decision even easier. I go through about four of each per year...not enough to warrant a rental of large tank.

You can find the smaller tanks in the 70-100.00 range brand new:

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-40CF-ACETYLENE-WELDING-GAS-CYLINDER-TANK_W0QQitemZ160258621232QQihZ006QQcategoryZ67059 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They are also small enough to through in a rubbermaid tool bin for an extended trail run. I do not know how many times I used them to cut and straighten things and there would be no way a larger tank set woul dhave had room to be packed.

[nooblet]

Oh, if I buy the tanks separately what sizes should I get of oxygen and acetylene? Should they be the same size? Or should the acetylene be larger since you don't always run the oxygen? or is it the other way around?

I honestly can't believe you guys are tolerating my newbness this much :flipoff2:

Thanks anyway though!!

Chris

[nissancrawler]

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=port+a+torch&category0=

You can maybe find a used set, this was just a quick search for them, it seems the prices have gone up. Keep in mind though, that's bottles, regulator, hoses, goggles, striker, welding tip, torch tip, carrier. Still not a bad price.

Even if you do decide to get bigger bottles later, you still have a nice starter set, and you can keep the small ones for spares when you kill a bigger bottle. Personally, I doubt you'll use it much.

As for plasma, contact parker metal on here. It won't hurt to ask if they have a scratch and dent. My plasma is a mi-tech, but it's the same thing.

Edit: You use more oxygen than acetylene, and the bottles are sized that way. Any shop will know what ones to match.

[urbanmuddboger]

hers my set up liquid oxy and propane with a 6 inch tip and yes i can cut six inches of solid steel
http://a834.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_fde7bac827913bbd3c36ac621cd36621.jpg

http://a938.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/105/l_494dc5404ec31bf2c2c9821ce8980ab1.jpg
me burnig rivets out of a aluminum cow trailer
http://a829.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/56/l_d81f843a2ed0fb7d4fc1600ad3361c44.jpg

[yager]

Pretty much as said above.... I had the big tanks on a cart that I owned outright. After the plasma, it took me 4 years to us a tank full. I sold the big tanks for the small 10/20 portable set with some spares. I still have yet to use 1 tank full after almost 1 year. They are smaller/portable I can store them in a cabinet or even take them somewhere. BUT have them for torch only type jobs.. just my .02...

[Stephenw]

I bought a Bernzomatic kit from Cosco years ago for around $150. I don't know if they still sell them. It came with a cutting head and three welding tips. Home Depot and Lowes sell similar kits.

I bought the bottles from a local gas supplier. I don't remember what I paid. Mine are 40 cu ft, which is small, but not tiny like the ones that come with a porta-torch.

I have a plasma cutter.

My torch doesn't get used much, but when I need to heat a stuck part, or bend something, it is a must have. I would buy a torch before a plasma.

[lincontaco]

the only thing i use my plasma's for is cutting brackets, other than that id rather just my torch setup. I know alot of places around here wont let you buy the "bigger" bottles, they make you rent them, but hell its like 10 bucks a year i think and you dont have to fool with cert/re-cert's

[FABSpecialist]

A new set of Victor or Smith from your local welding supply house is the best way. Buy their tanks and when you return them for full ones they just swap tanks with u.

[terrillf150]

Went to a local car show swap meet this weekend. There was a vendor there selling what's called a cobra torch. The tip setup is way different from conventional and can cut exceptionally clean. Kinda pricy i think though but definately something to check out. www.cobratorch.com

A link to a demo on 1/2 inch plate http://www.cobratorches.com/34.html

[roverjohn]

HF has their Victor Copy set on sale at $99. Pretty much everything you need except bottles and every Victor part fits these torches so it's very easy to get tips and o rings and such from your local welding supply store. None of the local gas supplier care what size tank you own buts that's here. All a plasma will do is cut and then not very thick material. I have one and still use the ox/ac all the time.