[makoman1860]

Has anyone ever repaired their own torch. I am tired of buying new torches and would like to start to rebuild them in house. I would like to find a site on the net where i can buy parts for our torches. I have both smiths and victors.

Thanks
Aaron

Hey Aaron,
Like lugweld said you can get them from your local welding shop. I overhaul and restore torches myself, from about 1913 to present models. Many times I machine my own parts. Just remember the cardinal rules of OF equipment. No leaks, and No oils or greases....anywhere! When it comes time for your first one, go through it with someone versed in them to show you all the little pointers.
-Aaron

 

[makoman1860]

It's not rocket science, as said "No leaks, and No oils or greases....anywhere! " that also means cleaning the torch that my be covered in oil etc from just having sat around.

One thing to considder.... When things go wrong they go wrong FAST and the person using the torch is holding on to the part that most likely will go. Take it from some one who has been there when something went wrong with O2. I would NOT do work on a customers torches unless 1) you have the training and the paper work to prove it. 2) your liability insurance WILL cover it!

I am trained by several dive equipment mfgs to service regulators and such. I am also trained to service these things for 100% high pressure oxygen. Even with the training, I would NEVER work on someone else's equipment on my own due to the HUGE liability that I would take on in the event something would god forbid happen. When I work for a shop, the shops liability covers me in the event something goes wrong. It doesn't even have to be my fault, bad oring for the mfg, cust does something stupid ( I have see this dozens of times), with the liability coverage I am protected. I did what was required, dotted the I's cross the T's and jumped thru the hoops they wanted.

Just keep this in mind ahead of time. Good luck.

All good points! I make up fixtures and tooling to repair all of mine. I pressure test all the soldered or brazed connections. Ultrasonicly clean everything. Rinse in de-ionized water and oven dry. No compressed air used as it may contain lubricating oil from the compressor. I have had to make many special seat reamers and other tools. The lubes I use are special from Dow, made especially for oxygen service. Actually most of my techniques come from 2 manuals that I have from the 1940's on torch repair, one by the Navy and one by Union Carbide. Just a simple cleaning is easy enough, but a complete overhaul can get involved. Where are you located?
-Aaron