Cutting Torch

[tommy53002]

I plan to buy an oxy acetylene torch soon, but don't know much about them. I've cruised craigslist some but because I don't know much about them, I'm a little hesitant to buy used. The torch will probably only get used a few times a year so i am not looking to buy anything top of the line/professional grade.

Anyone have any experience or opinions about these:
Northertool $139.00
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1819_200381819
Harbor freight $129.00 -20%
http://www.harborfreight.com/oxygen-...kit-98958.html

Any other suggestions besides these?

Anyone have an idea of the cost for renting and getting tanks filled?

[Sharpe]

Buy a Victor. **** that Chinese crap. Higher-end torches and regulators are rebuildable so if you buy used and its ****ed you aren't completely out on your ass. I love used tools but I bought my Victor torch kit brand new. A 125 CF oxy tank is ~$15 to fill. Acetylene is $40 or so.

[BroncoJo]

Most victors are made in china now...

[tommy53002]

From what I have been reading, the "victor style" torches use Victor replacement parts so i should be able use victor parts when needed. I prefer to buy made in USA but for a tool that i will not use very often, it is hard to justify spending double.....

I will probably stay away from the harbor frieght torch. I read that it accepts victor tips (usually), but I don't think the rest of the torch uses victor parts.

[Shaggy]

any gauge is fine. Get the larger victor torch. I have both small and large one. The large one cuts several times faster and will cause you much less frustration. Renting bottles is the way to go at first but in the long run they pay for themselves in 3 years if you buy versus rent. Also think of what size bottle you get, because some places don't keep smaller bottles in stock and it is a pain in the butt to swap them out.

[KrazyKarl02]

I have a victor torch that was good, but crapped out on me. The parts to fix it (mixer barrell) are as much as the Harbor Freight Torch, so I bought a harbor freight torch. It is a piece of junk. The valves on it are ****ty, the tips suck, it does not cut as accurately, all in all it is a bad chinese knock off. Stick with Victor.

[JB]

Would this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Victor-0384-26...s=victor+torch

[BroncoJo]

Would this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Victor-0384-26...s=victor+torch

I'm pretty certain that's not made in the US, even though the answers say it is.


I have a small craftsman (smith built I think) that's at least 20 years old and it always worked fine for me.

[tommy53002]

Would this work?

http://www.amazon.com/Victor-0384-26...s=victor+torch

Looks like a good deal. I'm going to read some reviews on the victor "cutskill" torch.

I found this one. It's a Victor for $175 but I am reading it is made in China.
http://store.cyberweld.com/viwecuoufi25.html

[JB]

The reviews on Amazon on the one I linked, which is a Cutskill, are all good.

[Sharpe]

I have an old craftsman torch kit that I used for years. I always had trouble finding tips for it and then one day it started shooting flames out of the side of the acetylene regulator so I retired it and bought the victor. It is decent quality but I couldn't find parts for it in kingsville so I moved on.

[robertf03]

I also have an old craftsman torch kit. It is still in the box. I'll probably buy a ****ty harbor freight plasma cutter before buying bottles.

[Seth]

I see some decent deals on the list for Victor stuff semi regularly. That's the way I would go but I have one already.

[colman]

If you buy used bottles check the hydro dates and make sure they are owner bottles not owned by a welding supply shop

[RCcola55]

I only buy victor. Find you a used torch and regulator set and take it to the local welding supply house and have it all rebuilt. The new economy line victors have a weird mixer handle and the regulators seem cheap.