DHC 2000 cutting & Welding Torch

[mrbob]

I saw one of these at the car swap meet today. Does anyone have one of these and do you like it. This thing attaches to oxy/ac bottles with 4 psi. It welds brazes soldering, sheet metal cutting and is a plasma. There is a video on their web site. This thing looks sweet from the video. I may buy one tomorrow are the swap meet , only $350. Comes with torch, tips cutting attachments manual an video. Any comments?

[Visorblue]

I'm new to O/A welding and just bought one myself. Just starting to learn to use it. So far I really like it. Haven't cut with it yet which is one of the reasons I bought it but I'm still setting up a place for cutting (small shop). Visit here http://www.cut-like-plasma.com/ and even give them a call. Jim is really nice and helpful with questions, etc. and doesn't try to sell you a thing. Darn nice after the sale, too. Really passionate about the torch and uses his all the time.

Here's some pictures of people using them. There's a bunch of users there as well.

What surprised me is finding out a guy used his to make some nice English wheels. You'll see him using his to cut some 1/4" steel tubing for the legs on page 3 of the photo link. Then, being new to O/A most things about it surprise me.

[Teddco]

"Welder's Handbook" by Richard Finch (sold at welding section of two big home improvement stores) has some discussions of the Hernrob torch operation and use. The instructor for the OA class I attended wanted one, but had been put off by the price, which now appears to be comparable to mid-grade commercial Victor and Harris kits. Watched videos at their site and then sent him the link. Thanks for the post.

[Visorblue]

I'm a relatively new hobbyist with a small shop that doesn't have room nor the budget for all the cool toys...er...tools. The fact that the DHC-2000 (DHC stands for Dillion, the original name, Henrob, the second name, and Cobra, the new name) can cut steel similar to a plasma cutter and weld similar to a TIG is what got me really interested. When you compare the price to a nice O/A torch it's in there with the others like you mentioned, but when you add in what a TIG and a plasma cutter cost and it's a bargain.

George Goehl has one and did a fusion weld video with it

fusion weld video

fusion weld video

He, also, has welding and brazing video with one -- his free short O/A videos aren't bad either. I learned a bit watching his YouTube videos, too.


-

[mrbob]

I bought one, thanks everybody for the input

[Visorblue]

Congrats! I'll teach you the secret handshake.

[grey]

How does this differ from a mini torch?
I see that it uses 50-50 mix A/O, but what else is different? The same flame, or not? How is it different? Thank you.

[jimcolt]

Just a correction or two! This is not a plasma...nor does it "cut like a plasma". It it just a different style of oxy-fuel torch.

Plasma torches can cut virtually all electrically conductive metals using an electrical arc that can exceed 25,000 degrees fahrenheit. When air or oxygen is used as the plasma gas the process gets faster due to the combination of exothermic reaction combined with plasma temperatures.

This DHC2000 torch uses an exothermic reaction that is accelerated by the temperature (maybe 3,000 degrees fahrenheit) of the flame from the fuel gas. This process will not work on materials that are not easily oxidized...such as aluminum, copper and stainless steel.

I have tried these torches...they are definitely unique and work well for many applications...but likely will not replace an oxy-fuel torch or a plasma in all applications!

Jim Colt

[kneedeep]

great now I have to buy another tool lol!!

[smyrna5]

I picked up an older Henrob/Dillon Mark III at a garage sale the other day. The kit seems complete including the instruction book and supplement and video, but there are no check valves in the case. I know the instructions say you should not use it without the check valves on the handle.

I also know that some of the Dillon/Henrob sites sell the check valves for pretty cheap, but I am a bit scared to use a mixing torch without a flashback arrestor on the handle - not just a check valve.

I noticed that Smith has a combination flashback arrestor and check valve for the torch end.

http://www.smithequipment.com/produc...008/page67.pdf


My question is whether that setup might interfere with the Henrob torch too much and I should just stick with a simple check valve at the torch and flashback arrestor at the regulator.

Can't wait to get this thing fired up properly.

[makoman1860]

Originally Posted by smyrna5

I picked up an older Henrob/Dillon Mark III at a garage sale the other day. The kit seems complete including the instruction book and supplement and video, but there are no check valves in the case. I know the instructions say you should not use it without the check valves on the handle.

I also know that some of the Dillon/Henrob sites sell the check valves for pretty cheap, but I am a bit scared to use a mixing torch without a flashback arrestor on the handle - not just a check valve.

I noticed that Smith has a combination flashback arrestor and check valve for the torch end.

http://www.smithequipment.com/produc...008/page67.pdf



My question is whether that setup might interfere with the Henrob torch too much and I should just stick with a simple check valve at the torch and flashback arrestor at the regulator.

Can't wait to get this thing fired up properly.

Hmm mine came with check valves, never used them though. In fact the ones that came with mine were "western" brand, so they are not special or anything. Just get a "B" size torch set from Smith, Airgas, Western, etc if you feel you need them.
-Aaron

[smyrna5]

Thanks Mako. You probably know what you are doing. In fact, I have seen your work on the site and know you do. As a total newbie with O/A, the first page with the picture of the torch and the warning in all caps in the manual gets my attention, but I admit to being a chicken. I have read but don't know, that newbies are more likely to create flashbacks, pops etc since they don't yet know how to keep the tips from overheating etc. I may pick up a set of them just to set my mind at ease until I gain a bit of experience with O/A. I will drop by AirGas in the morning.

[Hammack_Welding]

I have seen those numerous times over the years, but I just never saw where they could do something that a properly set up O/A couldn't do. Also as Jim stated it is far from a plasma.

[Billy]

I have seen lots of results of "flashbacks", I would never use oxy/fuel without them, they are fairly cheap insurance. Do yourself a favor and get them. You can get high flow ones which is what I use and recommend to my customers. Test them every 6 months or so.

Cheers

[ed l]

Originally Posted by mrbob

I saw one of these at the car swap meet today. Does anyone have one of these and do you like it. This thing attaches to oxy/ac bottles with 4 psi. It welds brazes soldering, sheet metal cutting and is a plasma. There is a video on their web site. This thing looks sweet from the video. I may buy one tomorrow are the swap meet , only $350. Comes with torch, tips cutting attachments manual an video. Any comments?

awsome torch have one for a couple of years welds just about anything cutting with it sucks if its not straight ue a victor or harris i have y valves on my reg.s i use the dhc for welding ,brazing and my victor for heating and cutting for $ 300. you can get a basic kit from j&s enterpise on the internet

[ed l]

great torch i have one for a couple of years ilove welding and brazing with it i hate cutting with it ,its awkward cutting with i put y valves on my regulators with shut offs so i switch from my dhc to my victor for heating and cutting does it replace my mig or tig or my plasma cutter no i do alot of aluminum welding and its great welds are much easier to work the welds oxy-accet.

[bobhdus]

I picked one up at a pawnshop last Feb and just now getting to use it. I bought it for $40, and it had everything but the video. The Pawnshop guys didn't even know what it was. I noticed that the Rosebud needs no oxygen as it pulls Oxygen in with the Acetylene which saves my gas/ money. It would not heat up something too big but worked for what I was doing (bending 5/8" rebar). I also cut some 1/2" plate and it has an impressive thin cut, with hardly any preheat, it was able to keep cutting without stopping and no angling of the tip.

Because the kerf is so thin when cutting with it, you want to have a steady hand or rest (like with Plasma cutting) I had to weld some 400 series stainless steel with it and it welded perfect. Use a light flux. I use it on my little Plumbers Oxy/Ace set. I am going to try to plumb it into a "gas saver" valve though when I get a larger set of bottles so I do not have to keep resetting the knobs when frequently starting and stopping. I love the torch and would highly recommend it, but I don't think I would buy it for more than $100 if you already have a standard torch set. It has a lifetime warranty/ guarantee, so it's okay to buy used and have repaired if need be.

[StevefromOhio]

I've owned one for a while now. I had a couple of other torches in the past and found that this torch was perfect for what I do. So I sold them and have not missed them at all.

It is great for auto body work. As a hobby, I restore older cars and it works great for sheet metal. It also works great on thin aluminum sheet. I have less heat affected zones with this torch than any other torch I've seen. I've had less heat distortion with this torch than even a mig for body work. It seems to really concentrate the heat to the weld area better.

It does cut steel very well although it is kind of a 180 degree cutter. Forward and to the sides but not backwards as a plasma can. I've cut 1.5 inch steel with it with no problem. It is kind of a PITA to set up but once it is, it cuts well. I do prefer to use a plasma for cutting though.

It works great on cast iron. I've been fixing a few older wood stoves lately as they eventually crack or wear out. With some flux and some castweld 111 rods, I've more than paid for my Cobra 2000 as most folks don't want to weld cast iron. With the Cobra 2000, it is kind of fun.

It does use less gas (5psi / 5psi) and it does seem to be a much hotter concentrated flame than any other torch I've had. (Harris, Victor & a few others).

I can get tig like quality welds with it on tubing and thin materials. Anything thicker, I prefer tig or mig although it does work on thicker materials. It's just that tig or mig is quicker.

I hear that some folks don't like the feel of the torch. The old school guys often doubt the gas savings and the hotter flame claims. I like the torch and it does weld better at least for me. It cuts well and does what they claim it will do. I gas weld a lot and it seems to me that my gas usage is way down with this torch. I used to fill my acetylene tank every other month and my oxy every two with my other torches. I've been busy with the Cobra 2000 and it will be going on three months for both tanks.

You will need a good set of regulators as most regulators do not accurately work at pressures of 5 psi or less. I use their recommended regulators and use a lightweight set of hoses.

I see them offered on E-bay once in a while. They are usually sold new either off the internet or at car shows. They've been around a while and they have a pretty good following with lots of users. The classic car restoration guys swear by it. Jesse James has one and uses it a lot. It is built like a tank and has a lifetime warranty.

I like mine a lot. One of the better tool investments I've made.

[jbmprods]

has anyone compared it to the Meco Midget for aluminum welding? i ask because i use the Meco for aluminum and i'm always looking for more tools.

[fran...k.]

I keep seeing similar threads to this one however this one starts out stating cutting attachments plural. Could someone post some information about the flush cutting, gouging and propane/natural gas nozzles. I had looked at stuff on line and all I recall seeing is something with a little wheel to cut sheet.

How does it work with propane/natural gas for bronze rod with flux?

Whatever mixing chamber and passages it has remain the same for all the tips doesn't it?

Thanks

[jbmprods]

Originally Posted by fran...k.

I keep seeing similar threads to this one however this one starts out stating cutting attachments plural. Could someone post some information about the flush cutting, gouging and propane/natural gas nozzles. I had looked at stuff on line and all I recall seeing is something with a little wheel to cut sheet.

How does it work with propane/natural gas for bronze rod with flux?

Whatever mixing chamber and passages it has remain the same for all the tips doesn't it?

Thanks

not quite sure what you are looking for and i have never used anything but O/A for gas cutting. the flush cut tip you are referring to is known as a scarfing tip. it's the same basic tip you use for straight cutting except that the tip has a bend in it to allow the flame to be perpendicular to the base metal you are cutting so as to not "gouge" the base metal. some scarfing tips i have are still round and others have a flat side. the mixing chamber depends on the brand/maker of the torch/body you have. if you post the make and model# torch you have the folks here could help explain it further.
just reread your post and tell us you are not trying to braze/bronze weld with a cutting torch. or am i confused lol.

[fran...k.]

Originally Posted by jbmprods

not quite sure what you are looking for and i have never used anything but O/A for gas cutting. the flush cut tip you are referring to is known as a scarfing tip.
snip
just reread your post and tell us you are not trying to braze/bronze weld with a cutting torch. or am i confused lol.

I am just looking to discuss stuff and wouldn't have even entered this thread except I saw the plural cutting attachments.

Note post #4 which compares cost with a conventional outfit. See the attached picture and that is kind of what I was getting at. If you can't get similar cutting nozzles whether the be called scarfing, flush cutting, rivet cutting, or bulkhead or something else I don't think it is fair to compare it to a conventional set up. What do the plural meaning more than one cutting attachments do? My cutting attachments which differ for the same handle either have a different angle to the head or are designed to be more favorable to one fuel than another.

Just from memory I seem to recall the way the gasses mix was deemed similar to an obselete Oxweld A fitting torch. I think it is a w29 but am not researching just typing and that one used different injector drill sizes and mixer drill sizes. And another size for the tip, I am reading off a chart. So we could discuss why this DHC torch is able to get the praise it gets with what just look like tips to change not a whole head assembly. Or am I missing something?

Another peculiar thing is folks often seem to compare it to A fitting torches not B fitting torches like I believe it is.

I have plenty of single flame tools and don't generally use a cutting tip to do that. Though a certain series of low acetylene consumption with the pre heat holes real close might suprise you with the results if you can deal with all the weight on the torch. I believe it is a brass rod even though I am not super fussy as to what I call using it. Brazing I think involves capilary action and can also be done in an oven. Lately It seems I use oxy fuel for cutting and those white coated brass rods. The bare ones and the can of brazo is really better but I have a stockpile of the coated ones and can't find my can.

Fran