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I don't use one a heck of a lot, but sometimes when a job calls for it, or I've got to fabricate something with steel, the burn/heat time is also important, I hate running out. Aren't these ( one in the photo ) in the 10 cu. ft. size ? I've got 2 torch rigs set up, made one up for our other place, but brought it back home, (people stealing things like my dads chainsaw, be nice if the law allowed one to use a rosebud on a thief) and I think these are in the 20 cu ft. range, tanks are about waist high, oxy tank is taller. I get enough burn/heat time out of these, smaller size would really be inconvienent having to refill at the wrong time like a sunday afternoon or in a remote place, so the tank size would concern me. Never knew that the smaller hose and set up may not perform like the next size up like mine, in the heat dept, using smith regulators on both of mine, I think they would also work on full size tanks, they look the same, in '02 got both pairs of new regulators for $100 each pair. The full size tanks are just too big and bulky , best left for a service truck or in a shop, the smaller size like mine is handy to take somewhere, half the weight but enought burn time. The first torch set I had I actually made up from old regulators, hoses, torch handle I had in an old gangbox, it was so handy and wanting to be safe I upgraded to new regulators, but had a bucket full of em from early 80's contracting days, had the torch handles already, welding supply house had a sale, and I had been buying thousands of dollars of supplies for the company I worked for, got a good deal and set up another rig, definitely happy with this size, a friend was looking at one of those at tsc and I talked him out of it, said a.) I've got a spare rig if you ever need it, just pay for the gas b.) for the money I spent on each with all the little accessories tips and cleaners, it's a really nice set up with enough burn/heat time you won't run out. I'm sure the prices have gone up, but it's nice to wait and get what will serve you best. I would be interested in hearing any additional comments about those small sets too.
One thing I have found real handy for lower heating type jobs, is the B tank like a plumber/fitter uses for soldering, I have one that does not have the arrangement that makes all that noise like they use, but a single guage and small torch handle, it is efficient for jobs requiring lesser heat, dull red, post & preheat when welding, the tank lasts a long time, don't have to use the oxy/acetylene unless it needs to be glowing red hot or you have to cut. The B tank, acetylene only, seems much hotter than propane or mapp gas, I use it a lot when doing brake jobs.
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