Welding tanks/torches/etc

[GManBart]

I'm a novice, but absolutely need to get a cutting torch setup soon...I'm tired of imposing on my neighbor every time I need to cut something, or heat up a nut/bolt to loosen it. I've been going to farm auctions, and watching CL, and just saw this set pop up....on the surface, it sounds okay, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask for some expert opinion here. Does this seem like a reasonable deal?

Torches with victor gauges

 

[aczlan]

I would go with the seller to "garden city welding" and have them verify that those tanks are indeed privately owned tanks, not rentals... That is the only thing that will matter when you need to refill them.

Aaron Z

 

[GManBart]

I would go with the seller to "garden city welding" and have them verify that those tanks are indeed privately owned tanks, not rentals... That is the only thing that will matter when you need to refill them.

Aaron Z

I was kind of thinking along those lines as well....thanks. I wouldn't actually be refilling them there, as there's a small mom and pop welding supply place much closer to me....not that it makes much difference.

 

[aczlan]

Figured that was the case given the distance, but I wanted to make sure you knew. I might contact your local place and find out what they will require for proof of ownership (in case you need to get a receipt or something from "garden city welding" to prove that they are yours).

Aaron Z

 

[Shield Arc]

You may want to think about going with propane for your cutting needs. I understand the price of acetylene has gone through the roof! Personally I don't have a problem with propane for cutting, but I don't like it for heat shrinking items back into shape. Far as heating a nut for removal it works fine.

 

[LD1]

Ditto what Aaron said. Tanks are a funny thing. And the last thing you want is to "think" you own leased tanks

 

[GManBart]

Good point guys...I'm thinking if I buy them, I might try to meet the seller at the welding shop....can't hurt.

 

[dstig1]

The important place to ask is the one you will be filling them at. My local shop is very easy going about it. Pretty much as long as you sign off that you own it, they are good to go on the larger tanks. The downside is that you cannot swap out owned larger tanks (125 cf+) as they will only fill and return, so you can wait a week for that to happen.

 

[GManBart]

The important place to ask is the one you will be filling them at. My local shop is very easy going about it. Pretty much as long as you sign off that you own it, they are good to go on the larger tanks. The downside is that you cannot swap out owned larger tanks (125 cf+) as they will only fill and return, so you can wait a week for that to happen.

Thanks Dave. I was thinking of calling the shop nearby as well....good tip.

 

[sd455dan]

I'm a novice, but absolutely need to get a cutting torch setup soon...I'm tired of imposing on my neighbor every time I need to cut something, or heat up a nut/bolt to loosen it. I've been going to farm auctions, and watching CL, and just saw this set pop up....on the surface, it sounds okay, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask for some expert opinion here. Does this seem like a reasonable deal?

Torches with victor gauges

I have a set of Victor gauge/regulators and hose torches, been using them for over 30 years still working great - IMO good equipment,

 

[GManBart]

I have a set of Victor gauge/regulators and hose torches, been using them for over 30 years still working great - IMO good equipment,

Excellent....that's what I was hoping to hear. I really don't want new, made in China stuff! I'm sure China isn't happy with me, so it works out well that way...lol.

 

[Arc weld]

A lot of the brand new Victor equipment is made in China! Some is made in Mexico and some is still made in the US. Prepare to spend $500 and up if you want the made in US set, which you don't need.

 

[GManBart]

A lot of the brand new Victor equipment is made in China! Some is made in Mexico and some is still made in the US. Prepare to spend $500 and up if you want the made in US set, which you don't need.

That's part of why I'm looking at used equipment! When I went to buy a new bench vise, I learned that the two good companies left in the U.S. (Wilton, and Yost) only make their best vises here. The low end are made in China and the mid-level in Taiwan. I bit the bullet, and bought the U.S. version...buy once, cry once.

 

[sd455dan]

A lot of the brand new Victor equipment is made in China! Some is made in Mexico and some is still made in the US. Prepare to spend $500 and up if you want the made in US set, which you don't need.

I wondered about that , that's why I edited the (made in America) out. Looking at the picture the acetylene gauge does say Made in USA, so the Oxygen should be USA to ? with tanks -looks like a good deal...

 

[Ken45101]

Those are small tanks. Acetylene is limited in the withdrawal rate and your cutting will be limited to fairly thin stock with that tank.

I strongly agree with the propane approach for heating and cutting. Cheaper, easy to get a refill (standard 20# BBQ tank), and you are not limited to the withdrawal rate like you are for acetylene. However, you need propane specific tips and hose, which is why it's better to start out with a propane setup.

I also agree about verifying that the tanks are owned, not leased although I believe the small tanks like that are more likely NOT to be leased tanks.

 

[GManBart]

Those are small tanks. Acetylene is limited in the withdrawal rate and your cutting will be limited to fairly thin stock with that tank.

I strongly agree with the propane approach for heating and cutting. Cheaper, easy to get a refill (standard 20# BBQ tank), and you are not limited to the withdrawal rate like you are for acetylene. However, you need propane specific tips and hose, which is why it's better to start out with a propane setup.

I also agree about verifying that the tanks are owned, not leased although I believe the small tanks like that are more likely NOT to be leased tanks.

The Oxygen tank looks to be a pretty standard 4ft high or so. The angle is terrible, but there's about 2ft of tank above, and below the chain around the middle. I had to look a couple of times because of the weird angle. There are a number of similar setups being sold from $300-500 locally, so I figured these were a reasonable example to get a gauge on pricing.

I'm going to look at propane as well.

 

[Ken45101]

You might be right, that photo is poor. At first, it looked to me like a 10 or 20 cf acetylene tank and a 20 or 40 cf oxygen.