Oxy/Acetylene Shopping LIst

[ignition]

I will be picking up an OA setup for the garage soon and was hoping I could get some advice on what to look for at my local welding supply shop. I plan on using it to learn basic welding and also fabrication of small motorcycle parts and possibly some frame welding/cutting.

All I have is a Cobra Torch setup, so I know that I am looking at a set of bottles, gauges, arrestors, check valves, hoses etc.....

Can you give me a rough price estimate along with a list of what to buy?!? I just don't want to walk out of the shop with a bunch of gear that I don't need. I don't mind paying for quality so the garage doesn't blow up though....

[Craig in Denver]

My comment is to buy a Smith, Harris or Victor. Since this is a lifetime investment, price becomes less important and you'll want to be able to buy parts. Because my previous home didn't have 220v, I lived on O/A for 16 years.

[Oldtimer]

You can't go wrong with Victor, they last forever even with a lot of abuse. You wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen weldors do to a Victor torch and it just kept on going. I really prefer Harris for A/O welding because the larger diameter butt is easier to hold for me. Harris regulators are excellent, about equal to Victor which are the best in my opinion. I don't think the Harris torch would stand up to the abuse a Victor will but if you give your equipment even reasonable care it will last a long time. Can't comment on the Smith as it isn't a player around my part of the world.

Victor is the king of the hill here and you can find parts in any LWS. You can replace any part on a Victor easily if necessary. I would do a little checking and see about things like tip availability, both cutting and welding, and repair service if needed in your area and go with the one that most places can take care of.

Jolly Roger has a Victor setup that I purchased in 1971 and passed on to him a few years ago. He uses it everyday.

[Hephaestus]

Pick up a pair of #5 lens safety specs while you're at the LWS. I hate wearing goggles.

[makoman1860]

I will be picking up an OA setup for the garage soon and was hoping I could get some advice on what to look for at my local welding supply shop. I plan on using it to learn basic welding and also fabrication of small motorcycle parts and possibly some frame welding/cutting.

All I have is a Cobra Torch setup, so I know that I am looking at a set of bottles, gauges, arrestors, check valves, hoses etc.....

Can you give me a rough price estimate along with a list of what to buy?!? I just don't want to walk out of the shop with a bunch of gear that I don't need. I don't mind paying for quality so the garage doesn't blow up though....


Hey,
Cobra torch....not a bad setup. Are you going to be welding or cutting mostly? I have the same torch and a setup would go something like this for nice quality parts and nothing you dont need:

-Tanks, depends how much you want to use it, I have a 125 Acetylene and a 200 Oxygen for my portable setup, cost was about $200 to buy the tanks

-Cart, this you can build yourself to suit what you are going to use it for, makes a good first project. Starting out with a hand truck from any number of sources can be a cost effective platform to build your tank cart on. cost is about $20 plus your time

-Regulators, New favorites are the Smith 30 series medium duty, they control low flow rates and presssures better then any I have used ( I have over 25 regulators ) and are about $120 for a pair

-Hose, 3/16 is a nice size for welding and cutting, I use 12" long and roll the tanks to my work, 25' is also just fine. If you going to primarily weld and braze, Smith Quickbraze hoses are super light, but arent big enough for cutting oxygen flows. Cost is about $10-25

-Safety gear, Eye protection of the shade #5 type, If your going to weld aluminum pick up the TM2000 lens from www.tinmantech.com. Cost $15-100 (tm2000 isnt cheap).

-You should have tip cleaners and such in your torch kit, so *** a spark lighter and spare flints, a pair of Tig gloves, filler metals, fluxes etc and your all set.

If your going to weld steel, pick up a couple pounds of RG-45 filler 1/16" diameter
If Aluminum, pick up some 1100 and some 5356 also in 1/16"
Brazing material comes in handy, low fuming bronze rod and flux.
Have fun!

[ignition]

I think i will be doing a bit more welding than cutting. Since I have only had a few lessons in welding, that's where I plan to focus most of my attention.

So it looks like i should be out the door for under $450 then? Very cool.

What is the deal with dual stage Oxygen regulators? Makoman likes the Smith30's but i see they are offered as a single and a double.

Thanks for the input!!!

[makoman1860]

I think i will be doing a bit more welding than cutting. Since I have only had a few lessons in welding, that's where I plan to focus most of my attention.

So it looks like i should be out the door for under $450 then? Very cool.

What is the deal with dual stage Oxygen regulators? Makoman likes the Smith30's but i see they are offered as a single and a double.

Thanks for the input!!!

Yeah sounds about right,
Dual stage regulators.....the myth is that they dont surge or fluctuate or creep.....the truth is that they are for applications where durring the welding opperation, the pressure in the tank fluctuates ( I.E. dual regulator opperations with 2 torches ). They are not normally needed for single torch applications in a non production environment, I have many regulators, and only 1 dual stage. The Smith 30's are just wonderful, I cant speak enough about them.

[Jolly Roger]

I love that Victor torch. In fact nobody uses it but me. They can use the others. I just repaired it a few weeks back. The seat let go on the cutting air. I was told by all of the LWSs it couldn't be repaired. Called Victor and they told me the part I needed that would work and where to get it. I have another Victor even older than it that I dug up out of the dirt in a salvage yard. Needed the same seat.

I have a Harris that I seldom use (can't get tips for it around here), but use the regulators daily. I also have a Smith that a fellow gave me because at 81 he didn't figure he would ever use it again. I've never used it but it feels like it would be an excellent torch for cutting but maybe a little heavy for welding. I can't get tips for it either. I also have a Uniweld cutting head. It is Victor compatible and feels and cuts just like the Victor. Their cutting tips aren't worth the effort it takes to throw them away in my opinion.

Like oldtimer said. Go with what is used locally that you can get parts for.