I'm currently refurbishing my PUROX heavy duty outfit. My dad bought it new in about 1977, when I was only 11 years old. Grampa was dad's mechanic for his 20 man excavating company, and I would ride my bike to the shop, and learn by watching, then sneak in when everyone was out on the job site and mess around. Gramps tought me how to braze-using the cutting head. I asked him about the welding tip included in the outfit and he looked at me like I was from another planet! About 20 years ago, I had to get a new rebuilt handle, then a rebuilt cutting head, and I've replaced the valves on the head numerous times. This thing has been used for thousands of cuts. About 12 years ago the old man bought a new Smith Heavy duty outfit that my brother currently has, and I scored a smith medium duty set. I didn't like the smith especially after my dad had a flashback with his and the handle EXPLODED in his hand
After that I never trusted it, even though they continue to use it. A couple months ago, I sold the smith on ebay and started getting this purox back up to snuff. So far I have new hoses, and all the tips cleaned out. Everything is in working order, but the OXY regulator has a replacenent low side guage on it, so I'm on the hunt for an original with the union carbide logo on it. I recently got a line on a NOS Linde #50 rosebud, as mine has seen better days. Matter of trivia, Dave pegged it right, ESAB still sells the line, and the torch handles and tips are still remarkably similar to these vintage units, most parts will fit together perfectly with my unit. I still have Grampas old, old victor that he had before Dad bought this setup, I just need to dig it up. Also just had brother-in law give me a brand new prestolite cutting set with the valves in the forward position FREE!!
better pics pending...
Reply With Quote