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[Matt_Meiser]

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[MrJimi]

Harris is a good name in torches. Too bad you don't live closer to me, I have a set for sale for a hundred and fifty bucks.
Jim

 

[Pooh_Bear]

Harris is a good name in torches. Too bad you don't live closer to me, I have a set for sale for a hundred and fifty bucks.
Jim

Can they be shipped. I mite could talk my wife into that deal.
Is it the exact same setup as in the link above.
Do the tanks have the paperwork for them.
Nobody around here will fill tanks without the paperwork showing ownership.
TSC will but the tanks have to meet their criteria.

I have an old set of tanks that are probably out of date and I have no papers for.
These are big tanks. Acetalyne tank is about 4 ft tall. Oxy tank is about 5 ft tall.
Wish I could find someone to swap them out with for full tanks.
I'd pay for the gas and the testing fees and maybe a little extra.
After I get them swapped out and get new tanks TSC will handle them then.

Pooh Bear

 

[EddieWalker]

My set is similar to the one in the link, but it's Victor compatable. Just means I can use Victor parts and assesories. If you buy the Harbor Freight model, be sure you can get tips for it. I was told that they don't fit off brands and are hard to find, but I don't know this for sure.

My bottles were brand new when I bought the kit. The welding supply company that I get my gas froms took them and gave me replacement bottles. No paperwork, they just take the brand new ones and give me old ones with gas. When they are empty, I get another old bottle. Sometimes teh gas bottle has a valve on it, some times it takes the little square wrench.

It works great for small prjects, cutting off bolt heads or metal, but not for heating up thick stuff to bend. You just can't get enough heat to bend large half inch stock very well. I like how portable it is too. I've carried it out to my dozer to cut off a bolt that wouldn't come off when I broke down. That alone really made it worthwhile.

Eddie

 

[MrJimi]

PoohBear, I don't think they can be shipped reasonably. The cylinders would be the problem. Sorry
Jim

 

[Spark_man]

I bought a new Harris set recently and am happy with it. I looked at the HF and some of the other cheapos on eBay and thought they looked OK, but I went with the Harris because I know I can parts for it locally. The problem with these small torch sets is that the bottles are not big enough - especially if you are using a rosebud to heat with. I am seriously looking at one of those Chinese plasma cutters - they are (almost) getting cheap enough to consider and that would do a far better job for cutting plate than a torch IMO.

 

[RonR]

Around here, you buy the torch set and lease the bottles, then pay a flat fee for the gas each time you swap and empty. The leases are transferable. In 1975, I bought a heavy torch set and 15 yr balance of a lease for $275. Worked out the torch cost me $25 over what the lease was worth.

I've renewed it for 10 yrs twice, and can't recall what the lease cost was.

If you check with your local welding supply place you can find out what the gas costs are.

ron

 

[MrJimi]

In Florida, I use Holox and they charge you to fill the cylinders and swap them out, no lease and if you wanted a larger bottle they would be happy to sell you a larger one. You will use more oxygen as compared to acetylene
Jim

 

[HomeBrew2]

I'm thinking about picking up some torches for occasional use. ...

You really have quite a few options if you're going to be just cutting or heating. If you can get a HF type cheap unit that has the cutting capacity you want on sale and/or with coupon, it's hard to beat. Replacement parts or tips is nice but, with my occasional use for the last 30 years and my dad's before, I can't remember wearing out a cutting tip or really needing more than one. Also note, you can do some bronze or silver brazing with the cutting torch, not really recommended but i do it all the time cuz I'm too lazy to change to a welding tip. Great when a welder won't quite do.

With your use, you have the option of using propane for fuel too. You'll need an adapter fitting and most recommend a propane cutting tip ... For my occasional use, I use a plain acetylene tip and it works fine. If money is tight, not buying an acetylene bottle might get you a bigger oxy tank.

 

[RobJ]

As Eddie says the small ones are very handy. But small has some drawbacks. Since you mention cutting, it's the cutting that uses a lot of O2. You can get going and quickly run out. I mostly see these sets used by plumbers and AC guys, mostly just heating copper, no cutting.

I bought a set years ago with a B tank and 80 O2 tank. Size not to big but hold a lot more air. Mine has/had the little Uniweld gauges, they handled everything I tosses at it.

Good luck,
Rob

 

[Highbeam]

I own a torch set for occasional use cutting and heating. I own a chop saw and sawzall for regular stuff but when trying to cut a shape out of plate I needed something more. I bought a Lincoln set at the home depot for pretty cheap. I want to say I only paid 125$ or so for the kit with hoses, regulators, striker, goggles, etc. Everything but the tanks and a rosebud.

I then bought the tanks at a local welding shop. The B and 80 as RobJ described. By purchasing the tanks there is no penalty for lack of use and no requirement that I refill the tanks at a particular shop. Tanks are expensive. Full of gas I paid about 300$ for them.

But hey, I mounted the set on a cart and they are very handy.

 

[RobJ]

I own a torch set for occasional use cutting and heating. I own a chop saw and sawzall for regular stuff but when trying to cut a shape out of plate I needed something more. I bought a Lincoln set at the home depot for pretty cheap. I want to say I only paid 125$ or so for the kit with hoses, regulators, striker, goggles, etc. Everything but the tanks and a rosebud.

I then bought the tanks at a local welding shop. The B and 80 as RobJ described. By purchasing the tanks there is no penalty for lack of use and no requirement that I refill the tanks at a particular shop. Tanks are expensive. Full of gas I paid about 300$ for them.

But hey, I mounted the set on a cart and they are very handy.

Forgot to add you can buy tanks on ebay. Then trade/fill at your local welding shop.

eBay - welding tanks, Manufacturing Metalworking, Industrial Supply, MRO items on eBay.com

 

[Ifixcars]

I have the porta torches at home, and they work just fine for occasional use. They don't take up much room, which is important in my clogged garage. The little tanks don't have a lot of "run time", but I don't use them every day, or even every weekend. I think I fill mine maybe once or twice a year. I'm going to guess they have a couple of hours of weld/cut time? I'm sure someone can figure the exact number of minutes if you really are concerned. They are nice to take along for field repairs or to the BIL's.

 

[kenmac]

By purchasing the tanks there is no penalty for lack of use and no requirement that I refill the tanks at a particular shop. Tanks are expensive. Full of gas I paid about 300$ for them.


Highbeam, You may want to check. You can purchase the tanks around here. They are yours to keep but you are responsible for the cost of the hydro. test that is required on these tanks ( I think every 10 yrs) They say this test is expensive. I have a life time lease & they pay for the test.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

Last time I had to pay for a hydro test it was $20.
That was in 1988.
I found a place that would change out my tanks back then
but I had to sign papers swearing I owned the tanks.
Since then the place has moved and I haven't found it again.

I'd settle for just getting an oxy tank swapped out and buy a propane tank.
Just have to find someone to swap out with.

Pooh Bear

 

[kenmac]

Around here , don't matter if you own the tanks or not . If their name ain't on the tank . They ain't going to fill it.

 

[Dusty]

I own my own tanks and the place that I swap them with, has tried on more than one occasion to give me tanks that have their name in raised steel letters on the top neck. I never accept these tanks because those are the rental tanks. I tried to get them to fill my new tanks, but they will only exchange them. They also keep poor records of owned tanks that they have sold, so it is best to keep your own records. I have also exchanged tanks at another place and they don't check dates or anything else for that matter. They are about 10% higher per refill. I have found many acetylene tanks for sale at flea markets, but not many oxygen tanks, unless it is a complete set. If the tanks are full, and the price is right, I will buy the tank for the cost of the gas itself. I then trade the empty tank for full tanks at the gas supplier. If I wind up with excess tanks they will swap them for other types of tanks. Every area and every gas supplier operates differently. It is best to find one that you can work with. Some only want to deal with volume users, and others are willing to deal with the hobbyist user.
I have a few torch sets, but all are old, and I have no idea of who made them.
Dusty

 

[Timber]

Can they be shipped. I have an old set of tanks that are probably out of date and I have no papers for.
These are big tanks. Acetalyne tank is about 4 ft tall. Oxy tank is about 5 ft tall.
Wish I could find someone to swap them out with for full tanks.
I'd pay for the gas and the testing fees and maybe a little extra.
After I get them swapped out and get new tanks TSC will handle them then.

Pooh Bear

What you have is an AC-4 & Oxy-H Just call Airgas and they will swap them out for you as a customer owned. They will do it right at your house you don't even have to be there. Call them up and just pay them with a credit card and they will send a truck out. They check dates and retest all the time it isn't even an issue. Don't volunteer anything just tell them what you want. The AC-4 can be male or female and they will ask. If your not going to be there chain them outside were they can be seen. They need caps so if you don't have them be sure to tell them or the driver will just swap out the ones he delivers with. So this is what your going to say " I need an AC-4 (male or female) and a Oxy-H its a 200 size if they ask and your a customer owned" you will be good to go

 

[Pooh_Bear]

Does AirGas have a store in the Chattanooga area.
How about as far as Knoxville-Nashville-Atlanta.
I'd be more than happy to take them somewhere if I had to.
After I get good tanks that are within the test date then TSC will handle them.

Pooh Bear

 

[Timber]

I don't know if they have a store in that area but don't use a store, you want to use a delivery driver. Always deal with a driver if you can in everything you do. I have picked up cylinders that have been laying out in a scrap pile for years and brought them back into the plant that have been out of date for years. They usually retest just fine and then get painted and refilled. Usually a fill plant will cover 2 or 3 states but the trucks are in all areas everyday

http://www.airgas.com/

Location Search Results Distance: 0 miles Name: Airgas Mid AmericaPhone: (615) 255-2786Fax: (615) 424-1828Address: 311 12th Avenue South,
Nashville, TN 37203Facility Type(s): Retail Store Get DirectionsDistance: 6 miles Name: Airgas Mid AmericaPhone: (615) 650-7200Fax: (615) 650-7236Address: 1008 Whites Creek Pike,
Nashville, TN 37207Facility Type(s): Fill Plant
Medical Branch
Branch Get DirectionsDistance: 31 miles Name: Airgas Mid AmericaPhone: (615) 896-5898Fax: (615) 896-6762Address: 411 West College Street,
Murfreesboro, TN 37130Facility Type(s): Retail Store Get DirectionsDistance: 37 miles Name: Airgas Mid AmericaPhone: (615) 446-9353Fax: (615) 446-9360Address: 201 Skyline Circle,
Dickson, TN 37055Facility Type(s): Retail Store
Branch Get DirectionsDistance: 40 miles Name: Airgas Mid AmericaPhone: (931) 388-6158Fax: (931) 380-0758Address: 922 West Campbell Boulevard,
Columbia, TN 38401Facility Type(s): Retail Store Get Directions

Call your self Swanson farms or automotive you probably don't even have to but you want delivery, best to use a charge so it is paid for. Drivers don't care but the store guys are a lot fussier that why you never go to a welding supply. You’re a customer owned so there is no rent on the cylinders. Your gona get Airgas cylinders but it doesn't matter. Plus with a driver a $20 bill you will have a friend in the cylinder business LOL. We did deliveries to private homes all the time.
By the way it is an Oxy-S just ask for a 200 H is medical, I was a Simed driver. Same size and gas it is just tested for purity
So you want and AC-4 and a Oxy-S (200) Male and female set ups are self explanatory and only on the AC male is the most common