Do you have an Oxy/Acetylene torch?

I had a medium size Victor set that I purchased in High School (1970's) Unfortunately I lost that set with the two smaller tanks in the fire.
I immediately repurchased a new set with the small tanks form the local welding supply. I don't buy crap.
Thinking about what's been said here, I would agree about having an extra set of small tanks. Too often I've had range anxiety and swapped out a tank before the weekend if I had a job to get done.
The Oxy/Acetylene is primarily used for heat these days.
Buy quality once, you won't be sorry.
 
Although it's not easy I believe it's very worthwhile learning O/A welding techniques. My first setup (which was stolen) I got from my dad who used it to build his airplane. He taught me how to weld steel with it, and although I mostly use Mig now I'm anxious for the day when I can get another O/A setup and spend some time getting good with it.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is the go-to organization for learning how to do it right and I would probably use their manuals when I get around to doing it.



Cheers,

John
 
I agree, Oxy/Acetylene is a useful skill.
The first time I TIG welded it brought me back to my rusty Oxy/Acetylene days.
Just one more thing, a foot pedal.

Mathew, on the cover of that book, they are using a torch with a filler rod that looks like aluminum?
 
I have an 80 oxy bottle and a 40 acetylene bottle. I bought the torch kit from Harbor Freight back in 2000. That was before they had stores everywhere an I ordered it. It has worked well for the past 19 years. Not sure if they even offer the kit anymore and if they do what the quality of it is.
 
I have a Henrob 2000 (Dillon Torch/cutter) with 20 Cubic foot tanks which are fairly portable. The tanks were purchased rather than leased to me so
that part is nice. It would be good to have some bigger tanks but I get by OK with what I have. Cutting metal takes a lot of oxygen
so I recently purchased an Everlast 80 amp plasma cutter which will arrive UPS on Monday. I have several cutting projects so excited to
be able to so some work with that. My usual torch work would be welding on 4130 pipes or silver soldering carbide
for a specialized cutting tool. The regulators are Victor I think but will have to go and take a look to be sure. Acetylene is
getting expensive so I use it only when I have to....
 
For what you wish to do, large item cast iron brazing, you need a big torch and big tanks. Pay attention to the 1/7th rule. For big jobs, blacksmiths prefer oxy-propane, since it is cheaper. For really big jobs, use a forge. I can do large brazing jobs with a ground forge and a leaf blower that are well beyond the limits of even large oxy acetylene torch sets. Plus, you are less likely to crack that large piece using a forge, although I have heard of people burning things up. A leaf blower and a sack of coal will produce a huge amount of heat and not cost too much.

If you want to do wire frame sculpture, that little torch is great. I have an artist friend who does this kind work. We once worked together on a dinosaur sculpture, and a forge is completely inappropriate for this job, even if you are a forge welding genius.
 
ericc said:
For what you wish to do, large item cast iron brazing, you need a big torch and big tanks. Pay attention to the 1/7th rule. For big jobs, blacksmiths prefer oxy-propane, since it is cheaper. For really big jobs, use a forge. I can do large brazing jobs with a ground forge and a leaf blower that are well beyond the limits of even large oxy acetylene torch sets. Plus, you are less likely to crack that large piece using a forge, although I have heard of people burning things up. A leaf blower and a sack of coal will produce a huge amount of heat and not cost too much.

If you want to do wire frame sculpture, that little torch is great. I have an artist friend who does this kind work. We once worked together on a dinosaur sculpture, and a forge is completely inappropriate for this job, even if you are a forge welding genius.
Click to expand...
The little torch set I mentioned in my post do come with different type of regulators, at least that's what I've read, that they are more sensitive to lower pressure and can be set to very low psi compared to the full size welding torches . the most attractive part about them though is their small size, I bet they feel great welding smaller objects.
 
Janderso said:
I agree, Oxy/Acetylene is a useful skill.
The first time I TIG welded it brought me back to my rusty Oxy/Acetylene days.
Just one more thing, a foot pedal.

Mathew, on the cover of that book, they are using a torch with a filler rod that looks like aluminum?
Click to expand...

My dad would have told you about the guy he knew who practiced on beer cans.
 
I have a set and use it only for heating brazing and lighting my coal boiler. I've heard that Oxy-Propolene is cheaper and you can use you equipment wihtout modification, however you can't weld with it
 
Here are two gauges from a lot I bought. They're big compared to the middle one which I think is normal size. The make is Union Carbide20191122_223148.jpg
 
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