Cutting Torch Decision

I posted this over on Red Power and thought I would get opinions from this site.

I am looking at oxy-acetylene torches. I have been to my local LinWeld shop twice, actually one in Des MOines and one in Omaha, and looked at three torches: Smith, ESAB, and Victor.

In Omaha today I found the Smith HD-510 kit with the "200" torch. They priced it at $340 with the MD 501 at $290.

I REALLY liked the "Dual Guard" system with the flame arrestor and gas mixer in the head, especially for a novice. I am leaning toward the HD kit since it is only $50 more and comes with a hotter rosebud, a third cutting tip, and a higher capacity torch.

I decided against purchasing the Victor Super Range II kit as the torch is too small for my hands, but have not looked at the Heavy Duty kit from Victor.

THe ESAB is the Purox GT-350 kit. I is a "special package" with only the cutting head. I priced it with a 44000 BTU heating head at $261.45. This torch has a 5 year warranty.

In summary, I am leaning heavily toward the Smith HD kit as I think it will be a Lifetime Tools for me, but would like to hear some other opinions.

Jim

About the only thing I can ad, is a good torch will be small bodied with light weight hose to keep hand fatique down so you can make very accurate cuts.

Even the smallest rose bud is more than enough for 90% of the requirments of a typical shop. Too many people expect instant heating and that just doesn't happen nor is it good for the metal being heated or cut.

A typical shop needs a small torch and single stage regulators and 3/16" hose for 15ft from the torch.

Although I'm a Victor 100 man myself, I bet Smith still makes a fine torch in a small size.

T_Bone

This is a site that sells complete oxy/fuel welding/cutting outfits for considerably less than the prices you are talking about. He sells mainly Victor, Smith, and Harris new equipment but most brands of replacement tips (at least he used to.)

Link

An eBay search of "cutting torch" generates a list of hundreds of torches and related items. The prices seem low to me, but I don't claim to be especially well informed in this area. In 2005 I bought a rebuilt 24" Victor cutting torch for $53 including shipping, and a new Smith 22" cutting torch w/ lifetime guarantee for $74 including shipping, both on eBay. Last week a brand new Airco cutting torch went for $20 on eBay, but by then I'd come to my senses and didn't bid on it.

All the best, Stan

If you plan on "really using" that heating tip (rosebud) and trying to heat large items consider a large, or very large acetyline bottle.

There's nothing as frustrating than trying to squeeze more gas faster out of a small bottle than it will deliver, only to make big bang sounds, and waste time and gas,while it almost heats up the project enough.

During extended cutting the oxygen bottle might be the first to run out. (of a similar sized pair)

This location is conducting a special on gas and "flat top" tanks this month so that will help too.

I thought about going with the TSC or Orscheln specials, but my father still uses the Victor torch my Grand father bought in the 1950s. I want something that will last and paying for quality is not an issue at this point.

Jim

The Smith tips are pretty expensive; if you know which tips you think you're going to need in the future, see if you can get the dealer to give you a discount on the tips if you buy the torch set. Smith has good website that you can reference to decide which tips you'll need. You'll probably want several brazing tips in addition to those included in the set.

• Smith Equipment