Cutting Torch

equeen · Dec 2, 2013

Not exactly tractor talk; but anyone have
suggestions for someone who is "thinking" about
purchasing a portable acetylene cutting unit?

Cutting some bolts that are not accessible with a
hand grinder, maybe some light metal, maybe even
try and learn to braze a bit. Just thinking.

Particularly interested in opinions regarding the
$250 - $300 units that are available at Harbor
Freight and other places. 20 cu ft oxy and 10 cu
ft acetylene tanks.

Thanks.

John G. Hasler · Dec 2, 2013

Acetylene is bloody expensive, but oxygen is fairly cheap. You might want to think about an oxypropane rig if all you plan is cutting and brazing.

The "blue wrench" really comes in handy, though. You can"t beat it for localized heating.

Rumplestiltskin · Dec 2, 2013

I have one that sounds like what you're talking about. It has the small tanks and is easy to carry around, but it's not practical for me because a bottle of oxygen lasts only about ten minutes. A friend who worked at a welding supply shop took it in and had it checked; it was O.K. He said the oxygen tank is just too small to weld for very long. I don't use it because I don't have the patience for an hour-long round trip to town after each ten minutes of welding. Except for that, it would be a nice little unit.

Mark W. in MI

Dean Olson · Dec 2, 2013

I had a portable set that was cheap chinese made and I got what I pd for. Hoses failed after a couple years.

Murphy's law states that you will run out of gas in the middle of a project on a weekend when the stores are closed.

Buy a second set of tanks.

I spent a little more on a set from local gas supplier. He has parts for it and will service it when needed. That was about 10 years ago. I've had no trouble with it.

equeen · Dec 2, 2013

Excellent info, Mark, and opportunity for follow-up. If one were cutting, say 1/2 inch steel as wide or long as the eye can see and continued cutting non-stop; just how long would 20 cu ft of oxy and 10 cu ft of acetylene last?

Okay, Mark says about 10 mins for the oxy. How long for the acetylene?

Thanks.

Patrick HMD · Dec 2, 2013

Hi equeen, an acetylene torch rig is a very handy thing to have. I'd be lost without mine. More than once it's saved my bacon when breaking loose old rusty bolts that have not been budged in over 60 years. What will set you back the most is the purchase of the tanks. Those are very expensive. After that, the refill charge is not that much. Well worth having regardless. If you can afford it, get the larger tanks, that way you don't have to refill as often. I have the larger tanks, and I haven't had to refill them in over 2 years. Just keeps those regulators shut tight when not in use. Those gases will bleed out through the connections, and the torch valves.

I lucked out when a very close friend who is a retired rig welder, gave me an extra set of tanks that he had accumulated. I've seen those tanks on craig's list from time to time. It pays to shop around.

Brazing is not that hard to do. Just need a little practice. Here's how I fixed a chipped hole on the rear axle housing of my M.

Best regards
Patrick
'49M

504 · Dec 2, 2013

The only people who use 20cf tanks regularly are carrying them up a ladder, and for cutting maybe 24x1/4 cut. By a name brand not the made in China knock off junk.

We are seeing made in China tanks that are not certified for filling anywhere, let alone in the US.
A full size set of tanks will run just under 500.00, that should buy a 125 CF OX & a #4(around 136CF)acetylene.
Victor, Smith,Harrison and other brands out there. I would also suggest to stop at all of the welding suppliers in your area before buying,we will sell you tanks or lease them by the year,our competition in town sells them to you but the sale is only good for 5 years then you have to buy them again. Just look around and you will love your torch. BTW, spend the extra and by a Rose Bud tip,they are great for heating rusty bolts and heating steel for bending.
One more thing, there is almost no difference in price, between a small 60 cf tank and a large 282 cf tank.

DeltaRed · Dec 2, 2013

Do not waste your money on the HF outfit.The small bottles wont hardly last long enough to 'light' the outfit.The cheap gauges are just that-cheap junk.Buy a good Victor/Smith/Harris torch set.I have a Victor 'Jorneyman'.Buy a 125CF bottle set(the size you need a cart for).Then you will have a lifetime outfit.You will be surprised upon how much you will use it.I would be completely lost without my torch.

DeltaRed · Dec 2, 2013

Normally in average use,you will use 2 oxygen to one acct.That rate can vary depending on use.As much as 3-1 or as little as 1-1

stumper · Dec 2, 2013

my 150 cf accetalene cost $60 ish to fill and 275 cf oxy was 30 ish to fill plus tax and the other charge added up to about 105 for both, the larger the tank cost's less per cf,stumper

Dude with a 300 · Dec 3, 2013

[b:bea04759cc]I've used Smith for some time now and would NEVER consider something from China when my life could depend on it. Here in Rapid City I lease my tanks for $30 for 5 years. I have no expense for tank maintenance and I just exchange when empty.

Bruce[/b:bea04759cc]

Harold Hubbard · Dec 3, 2013

Is your welding supplier a charitable institution,
or did you lock that price in for life, fifty
years ago? I am paying nearly $90/year for the
oxygen cylinder alone. They don't even lease for
more than one year at a time. Because I am a small
user they suggested that I give up the lease, buy
a little tank and just exchange it. At the price
for filling a small tank, if I use more than two
large ones in a year, the lease pays for itself. I
use propane for fuel, so there is no lease
involved there. If I had to lease an acetylene
tank as well, and pay for the gas, I don't think I
could afford it.

mkirsch · Dec 3, 2013

Those little portable units make a great SECOND torch set. They're great for going up silos or taking into other tight locations where a 50' hose won't reach.

You will be disappointed with it as your only torch set. 10 minutes of cutting seems like a lot but it'll seem like you're always out of gas right when you need it most.

I got my set off Craigslist with a 60CF oxygen tank and a "B" size acetylene. It's reasonably small and portable, yet gives you decent cutting time.

That would be my recommended MINIMUM for a garage shop.

Still, it's not big enough. Always seems like I run out right when I need it the most.

Dude with a 300 · Dec 3, 2013

(quoted from post at 14:00:25 12/03/13) Is your welding supplier a charitable institution,
or did you lock that price in for life, fifty
years ago? I am paying nearly $90/year for the
oxygen cylinder alone. They don't even lease for
more than one year at a time.quote]

[b:1e6a7d21b8]I'm a small user also and have used their tanks for probably 10 years. I have the half size tanks and mostly use them for heating and only a little cutting. I was wrong on the price...it's $35 for both tanks. I have the same deal with my MIG setup. A&B Welding is my supplier here and they are a great company.

Bruce[/b:1e6a7d21b8]

equeen · Dec 3, 2013

Thanks for all the great comments and ideas.

Dumb me, just learned that a brother least expected to have one does have a small unit. I'll try his out and learn about re-fills, etc.

John G. Hasler · Dec 3, 2013

I bought my tanks about twenty years ago: I don"t recall what they cost (they"re full size). They last me a couple of years, and then I exchange them for full ones. Testing costs me about $15 every five years.

Tom Fleming · Dec 3, 2013

I have a small portable set, and I bought a 2nd large oxygen tank. when in the shop, I hook to the large O2 tank. When out and about, I use the smaller portable tank.

works like a champ. go about 3 - 1 O2 to acetylene. I use a single acetylene tank in both cases.

Paul from MI · Dec 3, 2013

Been using oxy-propane for 20 years and I wouldn't be without it. I have never tried welding, but it works just fine for cutting, brazing, and heating. I have two "S" size tanks, and keep the extra full all the time. I have been using the same 20# tank of propane for the last 8 years, at the same time I go thru 2 oxygen tanks per year. Acetylene regulators work fine on propane, but you do need propane compatible hoses. My torch is a Smith's and it has been excellent.

Rumplestiltskin · Dec 4, 2013

I can't say for sure, because I'm still on my original bottle of acetylene. I basically quit using the torch after my third bottle of oxygen went empty. Now the whole assembly serves as a doorstop for my milkhouse door.

Mark W. in MI

mkirsch · Dec 4, 2013

I must be doing something wrong because I'm running about 1 to 1. Oxygen usually runs out slightly before the acetylene.

Tom Fleming · Dec 4, 2013

well, depends upon how you run your flame. I may not be running mine optimally. When you put the O2 to it to start cutting, the acetylene stays at the same rate. I could be all wet here, as I am NOT a gas torch expert, but I can git 'er dun without much problem.

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