I've been looking buying a second torch for strictly cutting and heating with LP. My current torch is a medium duty victor kit. Works great. However I've been doing a lot of cutting and heating. Due to expense I'm looking into LP. My plan is to have one settup for LP and one for acetylene. Only thing I'll need to swap is the O2 bottle. I am going to purchase some welding tips for my medium duty victor so I can start to learn to gas weld. So I'm going to save the acetylene for welding only. I was looking on Cyberweld and noticed there are a lot more LP heating tips for the heavy duty torch handles versed the medium duty ones. This makes me think getting a heavy duty setup verses the medium may be more bennificial. Anyway which way should I go?
Zapzoo
In my opinion there's no finer mixer than the Harris system.
Also, IMHO, a Harris cutting torch has the most rugged "business end" and the most economical tips.
With propane, the amount of heat output that can be had out of a common cutting tip, for most metal working, it makes a rosebud unnecessary. Then there are available dedicated heating tips which can be installed in place of a cutting tip, such as the Harris H-62-P; for most purposes making a separate heating rosebud unnecessary.
Since heating and cutting arre the goals here, and heating's covered without a rosebud, there's really no need for an awkward short "do all" handle and its interchangeable cutting/welding/heating ends.
Considering all that, I vote for a Harris 62 dedicated cutting torch.
Also, IMHO, a Harris cutting torch has the most rugged "business end" and the most economical tips.
With propane, the amount of heat output that can be had out of a common cutting tip, for most metal working, it makes a rosebud unnecessary. Then there are available dedicated heating tips which can be installed in place of a cutting tip, such as the Harris H-62-P; for most purposes making a separate heating rosebud unnecessary.
Since heating and cutting arre the goals here, and heating's covered without a rosebud, there's really no need for an awkward short "do all" handle and its interchangeable cutting/welding/heating ends.
Considering all that, I vote for a Harris 62 dedicated cutting torch.
Have a chart. You already have a Victor. Use it. 1/2" is nothing.
http://www.cousesteel.com/AndysPlace/Pdf/PropaneTipSet.pdf
http://www.cousesteel.com/AndysPlace/Pdf/PropaneTipSet.pdf
Ok I'm convinced I should get a dedicated LP cutting torch. I probably don't need a dedicated torch but I do a lot of cutting. I think in the long run it will be more cost effective. I'm going to just use the victor for welding and as a back up for cutting. I'm sold on the Harris Model 62. But I have a couple questions I hope you guys will clear up for me. First is there any advantage to a longer torch? Secondly which torch would be best the "regular" model or the injector model? I noticed the injector model does not list acetylene as an acceptable fuel but the regular model does. I want a dedicated LP torch but having the ability to switch it to acetylene if I ran out if LP would be a benefit. Unless the injector model would be a much better LP torch. I will also have the victor as a back up. Lastly would it be wise to purchase the Harris with victor compatible tips? I'm leaning that way as I would not need to have two sets of tips and my understanding is victor parts are everywhere. Thanks a lot!!!
Zapzoo, since your gas supply will be by cylinder, with delivery pressure to spare, go with an "E" mixer which keeps the handle compatible with acetylene. If you'll be using something like low-pressure swamp gas, delivered via gas bag, consider the "F" injector model.
Myself, I'd skip the "V" or hybrid Harris/Victor model, which uses Victor tips. Not sure where that sort of competitor mix-N-match started, but a few torch manufacturers do it. I'm guessing it was to gain customers who were tough to sell because they were dug-in with Brand X tips? Again, that's a guess, I'm not really sure of the logic behind it. But anyway, "real" Harris tips are rugged, with a great seat design, and mostly seem to be available at very good prices, so why bother with a Hybrid? Anyway, your Victor tips, if of the same series as Harris "V" are acetylene and so anyhow are not compatible with your propane plan.
Long torch handle? Nice for lots of applications. Probably awkward for fabrication/shop type work.
Myself, I'd skip the "V" or hybrid Harris/Victor model, which uses Victor tips. Not sure where that sort of competitor mix-N-match started, but a few torch manufacturers do it. I'm guessing it was to gain customers who were tough to sell because they were dug-in with Brand X tips? Again, that's a guess, I'm not really sure of the logic behind it. But anyway, "real" Harris tips are rugged, with a great seat design, and mostly seem to be available at very good prices, so why bother with a Hybrid? Anyway, your Victor tips, if of the same series as Harris "V" are acetylene and so anyhow are not compatible with your propane plan.
Long torch handle? Nice for lots of applications. Probably awkward for fabrication/shop type work.
Hey Stick-man!! How are you? Been a while since I've seen you on here.
In most of our shipyards all we use are Harris torches with Natural Gas. Its a little hotter than propane. The same Harris can be hooked up to Propane, propylene or Natural gas without any changes needed. I think mapp gas too but I havent used it yet.
Those torches are very tough! They get a lot of abuse in the yard and we dont have to replace them very often. They make excellent straight cuts and great for preheating an area with a cutting tip. I typically use a #2 tip for most of my cutting. #3 or 4 for 1" + plate I rarely use # 5 and #6 will go a long ways. The rosebud I have is great for shaping metal as well as the flushing tip. With the flushing (scrapping) tip I can blow thru any steel with no problem. I've easily scrap thru 8" with it. We also use it to flush of welds, bevel edges on ship hulls or plates for fitup. Super versatile. Most guys only carry a #2, and a flushing tip for most everything.
I hear some guys at home use harris torches off the natural gas supply to the house. Not my recommendation tho.
In most of our shipyards all we use are Harris torches with Natural Gas. Its a little hotter than propane. The same Harris can be hooked up to Propane, propylene or Natural gas without any changes needed. I think mapp gas too but I havent used it yet.
Those torches are very tough! They get a lot of abuse in the yard and we dont have to replace them very often. They make excellent straight cuts and great for preheating an area with a cutting tip. I typically use a #2 tip for most of my cutting. #3 or 4 for 1" + plate I rarely use # 5 and #6 will go a long ways. The rosebud I have is great for shaping metal as well as the flushing tip. With the flushing (scrapping) tip I can blow thru any steel with no problem. I've easily scrap thru 8" with it. We also use it to flush of welds, bevel edges on ship hulls or plates for fitup. Super versatile. Most guys only carry a #2, and a flushing tip for most everything.
I hear some guys at home use harris torches off the natural gas supply to the house. Not my recommendation tho.
Ok Im sold on the Harris 62 Im going to purchase it next pay check. Anyway I know I need a "T" grade hose for it however for general purpose garage shop type stuff what size tips should I purchase? I will be cutting primarily 1/8 inch up to 1/2 inch. But I will occasionally have to cut some thick junk in the 3-5 inch range. Also I need to purchase a set of regulators for this torch. My current Oxy-acetylene rig uses medium duty. I know the 62 is a heavy duty torch so should I get heavy duty regulators or can I get away with medium duty regulators? I am leaning to the heavy duty regs but I don't think I will need them for my day to day cutting. I'm just wandering about the occasion that I need to cut up some think stuff.
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the advice!
Per an email from Victor tech support I posted quite a while back, all their regulator internals are compatible with LP. This can easily be verified by comparing part numbers in their free-to-download manuals.
My Victor acetylene regs work interchangeably with LP and I don't hesitate to grab any of my Victor, Purox, Harris, Airco/Concoa, Meco or Smith (Ebay forced me to collect them, I swear it!) torches with a propane tip. These tip adapters work fine too if you have an odd torch or just like saving money:
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?49243-American-Torch-Tip-Multi-Use-Adapter-review
If you actually need the higher OUTPUT PRESSURE range of an LP vs an Acetylene regulator, you'll find that out, but I've not so far. The difference between Victors is the main spring and (of course) the output side guage range and labelling. I converted a couple of my Victor acetylene regs to LP springs and guages as I was rebuilding them anyway, but I'll grab either for general LP.
The 350 series OP references are one of Victors intermediate models and have neoprene diaphragms. Nothing special.
There's nothing unique about Victor regs which would make them "of choice" for LP. My 450s have nice durable steel diaphragms but seats etc eventually wear out like anything else. They are my choice because I got a mound of them at a liquidation auction and rebuild kits are cheap. I even run my radiant LP heater off one after the POS original failed.
You don't need "heavy duty" regs for a "heavy duty" torch unless you for some reason exceed the max FLOW of smaller (it ain't "duty", it's "capacity") regs. OP is cutting half-inch and should be fine.
I'd be TESTING what I had before I went on a (retail) buying spree.
OTOH Ebay buying sprees can be stoopid cheap and I've basically gotten paid to collect OA gear. :cool2:
The holidays are coming so look for deals. I get most of my torch tips off Ebay too. At those prices I can have ample spares.
My Victor acetylene regs work interchangeably with LP and I don't hesitate to grab any of my Victor, Purox, Harris, Airco/Concoa, Meco or Smith (Ebay forced me to collect them, I swear it!) torches with a propane tip. These tip adapters work fine too if you have an odd torch or just like saving money:
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?49243-American-Torch-Tip-Multi-Use-Adapter-review
If you actually need the higher OUTPUT PRESSURE range of an LP vs an Acetylene regulator, you'll find that out, but I've not so far. The difference between Victors is the main spring and (of course) the output side guage range and labelling. I converted a couple of my Victor acetylene regs to LP springs and guages as I was rebuilding them anyway, but I'll grab either for general LP.
The 350 series OP references are one of Victors intermediate models and have neoprene diaphragms. Nothing special.
There's nothing unique about Victor regs which would make them "of choice" for LP. My 450s have nice durable steel diaphragms but seats etc eventually wear out like anything else. They are my choice because I got a mound of them at a liquidation auction and rebuild kits are cheap. I even run my radiant LP heater off one after the POS original failed.
You don't need "heavy duty" regs for a "heavy duty" torch unless you for some reason exceed the max FLOW of smaller (it ain't "duty", it's "capacity") regs. OP is cutting half-inch and should be fine.
I'd be TESTING what I had before I went on a (retail) buying spree.
OTOH Ebay buying sprees can be stoopid cheap and I've basically gotten paid to collect OA gear. :cool2:
The holidays are coming so look for deals. I get most of my torch tips off Ebay too. At those prices I can have ample spares.
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