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Hi George, Victor torches and gauges are sort of the industry standard, as I'm sure you already know. Smith makes a high quality torch which comes with a lifetime guarantee. Its attractive features include a reversible lever for the cutting oxygen, and a system where the gases mix in the head rather than in the body of the torch. Smith tips are more expensive than most other brands, but it's a one time purchase, and they can be gotten cheaper on eBay. Speaking of which, I think eBay is a good place to buy this kind of equipment. I got a new-in-the-package Smith cutting torch, and 6 or 7 new-in-the-package cutting tips (from a different seller) for very good prices there. With used equipment my results have been more mixed. I got a rebuilt Victor cutting torch which still has a minor problem, and a set of Victor regulators with a major problem (they don't work), but I bought them as is, so they're my problems now. I have a suggestion for you to consider: Look into the possibility of using propane instead of, or in addition to, acetylene. Some manufacturers require a different torch body altogether to use propane, while some claim that their torches will work with only a different tip. Propane uses the same regulators that acetylene uses, but you're supposed to use a different type of hose (if you initially buy type T hose for propane, you can use it for acetylene, too.) You can cut and braze with propane, but not weld. Propane is cheaper than acetylene but it uses more oxygen, so you might not see savings there. The major advantages are propane's universal availability, the low cost of tanks, and its relative safety compared to acetylene. All the best, Stan
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