a used torch?

[grumpyvette]

Im a HUGE FAN of OXY-ACETOLENE torches and what they can do...BUT, they have some limitations, they are far more likely to get a novice into trouble and start fires than an electric welder in semi skilled hands.
that bargin,your quoted, may or may not be a good deal, and condition of equipment and torch size , thread size, gauges,and accessories mean a great deal.
the first thing Id point out that many residential areas have ordanances that forbid storing oxy-acetolene tanks indoors in a building

READ THIS THREAD

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/rental-or-owned-tanks.1999/#post-7970

next, tank rental fees and deposites on any tank size thats will allow decent welding time between fills tend to be far more expensive than you might think so check into that BEFORE buying a torch!
next, Id point out that gauges that fit the small (HOBBY) tank sizes won,t fit the standard professional tanks thread size.
Im not trying to dis- swade you just make you aware of the total costs.
next Id point out that torches come in differant sizes and types and youll probably want both a cutting and welding torch, and cheap gauges are a MAJOR P.I.T.A. so like most things you get what you pay for.
you could easily have $400 in deposites and $20 a month in a twin tank rental, or $500 in two purchased tanks , and tanks must be re-certified every 5-7 years at a cost of about $40 each or they won,t be refilled

VICTOR IS about the bench mark BRAND in torches

http://store.cyberweld.com/viwecuou.html

http://store.cyberweld.com/vijowecuou.html

http://store.cyberweld.com/cylindercart.html

personally ID suggest you buy NEW torches from the guy you get the tanks from, because youll be seeing ALOT of each other and youll want his advice and good will!! GET the VICTOR torches, theres support and parts readily available to rebuild them easily,and you won,t be having a small chance of getting JUNK that some guys unloading just to get some money from someone hes scamming

EXAMPLE

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=36983

brother in law bought these.....they were JUNK right out of the new box



BTW its very comon to see RENTAL TANKS , out of certification tanks, and deffective gauges and torches in pawn shops and the bargin traders type papers, yes you CAN occasionally get a screaming DEAL, but your taking a big chance on getting a set thats deffective
I happened to go by the local welding supply store yesterday and just for grins inquired about the cost of a good welding torch and decent 5 ft twin commercial size tanks.
now Im not saying you can,t get a better deal, just that it gives you some cost referance to work from.

decent set of victor torches designed for auto repair with two torches and 6 types of tips, gauges , hoses ETC.
torches $325
tanks ran $330 each to buy
or rental at about $26 a month and $200 deposit each
so rental runs $400 deposit and $26 a month plus the $325 for the torch purchase
to buy the tanks runs $660 plus the $325 for the torch purchase
call it a $1000 or slightly more with taxes
you save about $300 up front to rent but you pay that durring the first year to year and a half , and that monthly charge continues FOREVER ,on a rental.
while its true you have the $400 deposit back if you return the tanks the torches are useless without them so buying the tanks becomes a better long term deal for a shop in some cases.
in either case rental or owner, the tanks cost about $35 EACH to refill
__________________

 

[grumpyvette]

those plumbers torch packs are really handy,

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=65818

and can be used for many things but they don,t compare to the versatility of the true welding torches, (but then they are far less expensive)and come with tanks which the pro style torch combos don,t

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=MD-510T

what you buy depends on your application of course, I used one of those plumbers packs in the shop for several years then it eventually dawned on me that I was spending far to much time running after tank refills and that in certain applications I was in need of far more torch than I had, so I upgraded and it was a big improvement, (but also expensive, at almost $780 for everything)

Default
the larger torches provide more heat and can do so over both a larger area and for a longer time,keep in mind its not just the weld your heating with a torch, and getting the welded area up to temperature, to make a solid weld ,that temperature in the area adjacent to the actual weld can be critical to success on some applications like welding aluminum, with a torch,or when even welding large thick components like the 14" long 5/16" thick brackets on a 4 link to a rear differential when your building a 4 link suspension, welds that appear to be solid that won,t fully penetrate are common on larger components if both parts act like heat sinks, now with a MIG or TIG heat is localized and higher in the weld area itself, but with a torch it takes a good deal of heat to actually get metal flowing correctly, in the weld itself