torch regulators

[digger2]

Hey guys,
While we are on the subject of torches,i got a question.Right now
the torch outfit i have is gettin pretty old.I was thinkin about getting a new outfit.The outfit i have now has dual stage regulators on it.Thats all i've ever used,dual stage regulators.Never had a chance to use the single stage.
I know dual stage regs. are better as far as holding a constant flow,especially as your tanks get low,but is it really that noticable?
I mean,for somebody who only lights their torch once every three months to cut a chunk of 1/4' steel off,or burn a 50 year old rust encrusted bolt off,does it really make that much difference if its a dual stage or single.
I'm sure the dual stages are more $$$$$,(i havent priced yet)and i dont make a living using a torch.If i did i'd most likely have a top of the line model.
But i dont want to spend the $$$$ needlessly if its not going to make that much of a difference.Anybody know??
digger2

 

[montejw]

Hey guys,
While we are on the subject of torches,i got a question.Right now
the torch outfit i have is gettin pretty old.I was thinkin about getting a new outfit.The outfit i have now has dual stage regulators on it.Thats all i've ever used,dual stage regulators.Never had a chance to use the single stage.
I know dual stage regs. are better as far as holding a constant flow,especially as your tanks get low,but is it really that noticable?
I mean,for somebody who only lights their torch once every three months to cut a chunk of 1/4' steel off,or burn a 50 year old rust encrusted bolt off,does it really make that much difference if its a dual stage or single.
I'm sure the dual stages are more $$$$$,(i havent priced yet)and i dont make a living using a torch.If i did i'd most likely have a top of the line model.
But i dont want to spend the $$$$ needlessly if its not going to make that much of a difference.Anybody know??
digger2

Is it a brand name set? Why do you need to replace them? Maybe keep the regulators and get a new torch. Maybe they're worth getting serviced.

Monte

 

[bobodu]

You really didn't say if there was anything wrong except age...so I would either keep using them till something is wrong or have them rebuilt.

 

[digger2]

Basically,the reason i want to replace it is because its 25 yrs. old and
its a "Craftsman"......(need i say more?) Actually,everythings in pretty good
shape except for the cutting attachment.It never did work right.As soon as it gets hot,it starts to "pop" at regular intervals.The brazing/welding tips do the same thing,sometimes blowing itself out.Not good....can really screw up a otherwise nice cut job,it also is a waste of gas when you have to stop and relight.I've allready tried a new cutting tip,does'nt help at all.
I might just get a new "name brand" cutting attachment and handle,like
montejw suggested,since the rest of my stuff(regulators and lines),seems O.K. I can get a Harris brand set up for $179 complete w/torch handle,cutting attacment(1 tip incl.),welding/brazing attachment(1 tip incl.),
new lines,and single stage regs. Not a top of the line model of course,but
i'm sure its gotta beat the old "Craftsman". Three yr. warr. on the regs. and 1 yr. on the torch. I dont even know if i could get parts to repair my old one and for the trouble and time screwing around,is it really worth it?I dont think so.If it was a name brand,such as a Victor,Harris,or Smith,i'd definetly try
to fix it,but hey,its a "Craftsman",so why bother!!!
When i do figure out if i'll buy a complete new set up or just the new torch handle and cutting attachment,i think i'll take the old one,put it in the vise,
bend it in half w/a sledge hammer,then throw it straight in the garbage can
for all the trouble its caused me over the years.
That will make me feel MUCH better....LOL.......digger2

 

[montejw]

Basically,the reason i want to replace it is because its 25 yrs. old and
its a "Craftsman"......(need i say more?) Actually,everythings in pretty good
shape except for the cutting attachment.It never did work right.As soon as it gets hot,it starts to "pop" at regular intervals.The brazing/welding tips do the same thing,sometimes blowing itself out.Not good....can really screw up a otherwise nice cut job,it also is a waste of gas when you have to stop and relight.I've allready tried a new cutting tip,does'nt help at all.
I might just get a new "name brand" cutting attachment and handle,like
montejw suggested,since the rest of my stuff(regulators and lines),seems O.K. I can get a Harris brand set up for $179 complete w/torch handle,cutting attacment(1 tip incl.),welding/brazing attachment(1 tip incl.),
new lines,and single stage regs. Not a top of the line model of course,but
i'm sure its gotta beat the old "Craftsman". Three yr. warr. on the regs. and 1 yr. on the torch. I dont even know if i could get parts to repair my old one and for the trouble and time screwing around,is it really worth it?I dont think so.If it was a name brand,such as a Victor,Harris,or Smith,i'd definetly try
to fix it,but hey,its a "Craftsman",so why bother!!!
When i do figure out if i'll buy a complete new set up or just the new torch handle and cutting attachment,i think i'll take the old one,put it in the vise,
bend it in half w/a sledge hammer,then throw it straight in the garbage can
for all the trouble its caused me over the years.
That will make me feel MUCH better....LOL.......digger2

Remember, Sears didn't manufacture those regulators, they might still be good quality units.

"An old 2 stage regulator is better than any new single stage...." Not sure if it's true, but just thought I'd make it up.

Monte

 

[Lazy]

Hi Digger
I'll give you $25 for the 2 stage regulators and pay postage.

Charlie.

 

[digger2]

Hmmmmmmm,i'll have to wait and make up my mind as to what i'm gonna do.This may take awhile as
when it comes to parting with my $$$$,i'm tighter than a pair of fully tightened vise grips on a peice of cardboard!!!
digger2

 

[HomeBrew2]

I think that popping is back-flash, caused by a leak at the tip seat. I did a quick search and found Neet Seet - The Tool that restores VICTOR Tip Seats to like-New Condition which explaines it and they have a thingy to fix very abused seats.

 

[ovrszd]

I think that popping is back-flash, caused by a leak at the tip seat. I did a quick search and found Neet Seet - The Tool that restores VICTOR Tip Seats to like-New Condition which explaines it and they have a thingy to fix very abused seats.

Yep, it's a leak in the cutter itself. Could be easily fixed with new O-rings. As for it being a Craftsman,,, it is a good torch. Some of the bigger Sears stores have a repair shop that could fix it for you. Or take it completely apart and replace the O-rings yourself and it will work fine.

If you are not wanting to do that, I'll give you $50 and pay the postage for the whole setup... Just PM me if you are interested.

 

[accordionman]

SIR,
i have a o/a torch set i bought 60 years ago, and
it is still working fine. i have had the regulators rebuilt
twice.
if your set is working ok, why do you need a new set?
you can have the regulators rebuilt if necessary.
good luck with your projects.
accordionman
wlbrown
wright city, mo.

 

[mschech]

I have what is probably the exact set you have. Bought in '81.
Works great, even if one of the dial covers has a crack.

I'd pay as much (or more) as the others are offering just for the spares.

but I suggest you keep them. If you have torch problems, just replace that.

 

[digger2]

Well ,i'm back from town.Went to see the local welding supply.When i walked in i had my "Craftsman" in hand and asked the guy about setting me up with something of a little better quality.He takes me over to the display models,shows me a Harris outfit for $220+tax.I looked at it,then looked back at mine,compared them side by side.Guess what,same EXACT thing.And i mean exact except where mine says "craftsman" it says "Harris".The casting lines,knurls on the knobs,lenght,everything.Same.
I took the regulator,torch body,and cutting attachment model #'s down
on paper,went back to my local Lowes store and looked at a Harris model torch they are carrying called a "ProKit DLX".This is not one of those "Tote-
Torches" that Harris is selling at Lowes,w/the little tanks.This model has the full size regulators,i beleive a heavier torch body,25' hose,etc.,but you supply your own tanks of course.
Anyway,i pulled out my notes,compared them to the reg.,torch body and
cutting attachment model #'s.Same exact #'s,just packaged a little different.
But,Lowes only wanted $179+tax for theirs.Thats $41 difference,3 miles away from the local welding supply.Both the welding supply and the Lowes
units were single stage regulators.The guy at the welding place said he could send my torch out and have it rebuilt for $50,and i might have to wait 2-3 wks. as he did'nt have the parts to do it.I think he just wanted to make a sale on a new one.Well,i could'nt stand it any longer and i bought the one at Lowes.Pretty nice torch considering it didnt come from the welding supply place.Although its not a true industrial heavy duty torch its good enough for
the average "backyard builder" like myself,and i saved $41 to boot by not buying at my local welding supplier.Its exactly the same thing as my old torch,and that one lasted 25 yrs....As far as the single stage regulators,
i'll be trying it out soon and i'll find out how much diff.there is.
Oh,i'll be keeping the old stuff and i'm going to try to get the parts to rebuild the torch myself for backups,just in case.Sorry guys.
digger2

 

[digger2]

Oh,i forgot to mention,I did price a new Harris torch handle and cutting attachment at the welding supply place.For those two peices,bought seperate
came to,beleive it or not,about $180........got the complete outfit at Lowes for less than that.And i swear it is the same exact thing....same model #'s on the torch handle,cutting attachment,and regulators.Go figure!!!!!!
digger2

 

[ovrszd]

Well ,i'm back from town.Went to see the local welding supply.When i walked in i had my "Craftsman" in hand and asked the guy about setting me up with something of a little better quality.He takes me over to the display models,shows me a Harris outfit for $220+tax.I looked at it,then looked back at mine,compared them side by side.Guess what,same EXACT thing.And i mean exact except where mine says "craftsman" it says "Harris".The casting lines,knurls on the knobs,lenght,everything.Same.
I took the regulator,torch body,and cutting attachment model #'s down
on paper,went back to my local Lowes store and looked at a Harris model torch they are carrying called a "ProKit DLX".This is not one of those "Tote-
Torches" that Harris is selling at Lowes,w/the little tanks.This model has the full size regulators,i beleive a heavier torch body,25' hose,etc.,but you supply your own tanks of course.
Anyway,i pulled out my notes,compared them to the reg.,torch body and
cutting attachment model #'s.Same exact #'s,just packaged a little different.
But,Lowes only wanted $179+tax for theirs.Thats $41 difference,3 miles away from the local welding supply.Both the welding supply and the Lowes
units were single stage regulators.The guy at the welding place said he could send my torch out and have it rebuilt for $50,and i might have to wait 2-3 wks. as he did'nt have the parts to do it.I think he just wanted to make a sale on a new one.Well,i could'nt stand it any longer and i bought the one at Lowes.Pretty nice torch considering it didnt come from the welding supply place.Although its not a true industrial heavy duty torch its good enough for
the average "backyard builder" like myself,and i saved $41 to boot by not buying at my local welding supplier.Its exactly the same thing as my old torch,and that one lasted 25 yrs....As far as the single stage regulators,
i'll be trying it out soon and i'll find out how much diff.there is.
Oh,i'll be keeping the old stuff and i'm going to try to get the parts to rebuild the torch myself for backups,just in case.Sorry guys.
digger2

I love it when people say i saved $41 by spending $179 + tax when their problem could have been rebuilt and fixed for $50. Good luck with the new torch!!!!

 

[mschech]

Why dont you use your old 2-stage regulators with the new torch ?

 

[digger2]

mschech,yep,thats what i'm doing.I tried my new single stage regs. just to make sure they worked,then i went back to my two stage regulators.
I really hated to buy a whole set-up just because my torch was in need of rebuilding, but when i went to check on parts the dealer said he didnt do it himself,and he didnt have the parts on hand.It would have to be sent out and that might take 2-3 wks.(?????)
Anyway there was really no sure way of knowing if it was going to work right after i did get it back.Even if i waited for the parts to fix it myself,its possible it still wouldnt work right.(I've had that happen before !!!) After checking the price of a new handle and cutting attachment at my local welding supply place($180),it only made sense to buy the whole outfit at Lowes for $179.Besides,i can ,and will still order the rebuild parts for my old one soon,so i'll have a backup set.I'm prob. set for life as far as torch outfits go now.
thanks,digger2

 

[digger2]

mschech,yep,thats what i'm doing.I tried my new single stage regs. just to make sure they worked,then i went back to my two stage regulators.
I really hated to buy a whole set-up just because my torch was in need of rebuilding, but when i went to check on parts the dealer said he didnt do it himself,and he didnt have the parts on hand.It would have to be sent out and that might take 2-3 wks.(?????)
Anyway there was really no sure way of knowing if it was going to work right after i did get it back.Even if i waited for the parts to fix it myself,its possible it still wouldnt work right.(I've had that happen before !!!) After checking the price of a new handle and cutting attachment at my local welding supply place($180),it only made sense to buy the whole outfit at Lowes for $179.Besides,i can ,and will still order the rebuild parts for my old one soon,so i'll have a backup set.I'm prob. set for life as far as torches go now.
thanks,digger2

 

[bx23barry]

Why not just sell the new regulators and old torch on ebay and recoupe some $s

 

[digger2]

I thought about selling what i dont want,but if something goes bad later,
i know i'd kick myself for getting rid of it.So i'll just keep it.If i did decide to sell it,i'd just sell it to one of my friends,with the understanding that the torch needs rebuilt.Besides,i dont want anything to do with Ebay.
Thanks for the suggestion though,..........digger2