Gaspony3 Gas Welding Combo - Opinions?

I bought that exact same rig with #3 bottles at Tractor Supply. I wanted Victor brand, and paid for it. (I think I paid about the same price about 3 or 5 years ago, so that's not bad.) I needed a refill of acetylene the other day, and it was $45.

Given the choice again today, I think I might go with leased bottles and either used Victor/Harris regulators/torches or new HFT or other torches/regulators that are Victor-compatible.

From what I understand, the Harbor Freight rig is all Victor-compatible, at a fraction of the price.

If I'm repeating what others have said, I apologize, but I did not read the whole thread.
 
i just set my self up.i bought victor torches on e bay then do buy the tanks on line too.Then trade them in at tractor supply for the thoughbred tanks that they sell,you exchange your new ones from e bay for the used ones at tractor supply then you own the tanks for ever and when you need more gas you just exchange them never need to lease them at 100.00$ a year.After six years or so they will pay them sefl's off free and clear you will save the most.I found the best prices were at Queen cylinder .Also there is a size limit on tanks you are aloud to own i think #4 for ox and a # 3 on acetyinene.I did all the reserch because I dont like to any extra money.
 
tduf said:
"i just set my self up.i bought victor torches on e bay"

While I'm a Smith guy. I suspect they will serve you well. Carefully examine them when they arrive ensure they don't leak. Consider purchasing new spark arrestors and anti-back flow valves. Treat them well, and they will be something tools your grandchildren will be excited to inherit.
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I bought a store-assembled kit at my local Praxair. It was the tote-type with the tiny tanks.
With both regs, the tanks, hoses and torch with #0 tip, the thing was under $400

The torch is Prostar brand, which is made by Victor for Praxair.

Later I bought 2 sets of 75-80 cylinders from a local guy who works for a testing facility. They arrive brand spanking freshly tested.
Finally I upgraded my regs on the big tanks to larger models, the old ones stay on the tiny tanks I use for jewelry work.

My Praxair store was fine with exchanging my own small and big cylinders, never a comment.
Of course you will bring your new or freshly repainted tanks and get dirty peeled-off ones in exchange. But they are safe and that's what we want, right?
 
Yea renting your tanks is definitely the way to go. They have to go through a hydro every 5 years. Hydro can get pretty expensive. Just for my scuba tanks I pay about 50 bucks a pop for the hydro and that's if they are in good shape and don't need to be tumbled. If your tanks fail hydro, they will either destroy them and give it back or they just keep it from what I've been told. I've never had a tank fail hydro though so I can't say for sure. I've never had any problems with the import torches either. Like any other import machinery you may want to disassemble it and clean it out really good, make sure there aren't any burrs and so on. And with any torch you get, I'd recommend putting an acetylene flash back arrestor on it. Just a CYA. I've had a few instances where I got distracted and let my hose run up against a red hot piece of metal.
 
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