Buying oxy acetylene torch kit

[bobwills]

So im shopping for a oxy acetylene torch kit and im wondering what everyone thinks are the best torches for the price. Maybe around $200ish. Also maybe what torches to stay away from. Also what is a good size of oxygen tank and acetylene tank. Also what about going used from like an auction. Im planning on prolly getting tanks from an auction if can find some. Was told that oxy and acetylene tanks are all sold separate and also torch kit is separate in a lot of these auctions. So i could prolly get tanks and not torch with it. Or just might rent if cant find any to buy for temparly because I think my dads company rents for about $2.50 a tank per month.

[Rodsmachineshop]

were do you live asking cause sometimes you can find some killer deals on a complete used set in classifieds

[bobwills]

I live close to jeff city, Mo. Actually there is auction with one this coming sunday at a nursery i might just have to call and find out about it.

[Rodsmachineshop]

http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/tls/2924132737.html there old but made very well . good price with the tanks and cart . when buying used welding stuff always have them hooked up to see if work ok and no leaks this set also has blow back valves plus has a lot of extras i buy from this place they have good prices on victor http://www.weldfabulous.com/c-139-ou...ng&pageSize=20

[Brian Ski]

When you buy a torch especially if it is used, make sure you can get parts for it. Locally is a big plus. If you find that you have to special order a tip it is a bear to have to wait. Or get the puzzled look when you take in a tip.

BTW couple threads on tanks. Bigger is better if you use a lot of gas. They cost a lot less per cu foot for the larger tanks. You have to watch, depending on your area if you "buy" a tank from an auction or garage sale, and they end up a rental tank, they will get taken away when you try to fill them. In my area the larger tanks are almost all rentals. (above 125 cf)

[Rodsmachineshop]

yes oxygen tanks go fast with torches always have a big oxygen tank or a pair

[Brian Ski]

yes oxygen tanks go fast with torches always have a big oxygen tank or a pair

Yes, I have a pair of oxygen (actually 3). Oxy can run out pretty fast. The acetylene can hold out for a while when you see it dropping you know you have still have some time left. BTW always make sure you shut your valves off when done. Hate to come back days or weeks later (garage guy) and find the tanks low or empty.

[Rodsmachineshop]

me too 3 oxygen and 2 oxyacetylene sucks to run out on a sunday lol that why i like having the plasma cutter , the plasma cutter and i are dating now .lol

[bobwills]

If I was just to rent if I could get a good price what size sould I get. Or should I just forget renting and buy them somewhere. Or would renting untill find a real good deal on tanks work too.

[Rodsmachineshop]

just a standard cart like the tig up hi and have room for all the consumables got the cart on ebay for like 40 bucks

[bobwills]

i buy from this place they have good prices on victor http://www.weldfabulous.com/c-139-ou...ng&pageSize=20[/QUOTE]

They do have some pretty good prices on torches there.

[Rodsmachineshop]

i posted that they have great prices lol have a big problem i like buying tools lol

[Rodsmachineshop]

so did you buy torches yet ,

[Rodsmachineshop]

cant go wrong on victors since can always find repair parts and upgrade stuff my set is over 35 years old and still working good

[bobwills]

Yeah Im kinda liking the victors. I think thats what we have in our shop. We have smiths at school. Im kinda just thinking bout going new with the torch so dont have to worry bout leaks and get something good cause I hate always having crappy stuff. Want something that will last me a lifetime.
Would ones like this be a good one. Not sure since medium duty. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...7990_200357990 or actually a higher duty for less here http://www.weldfabulous.com/p-20700-...ty-outfit.aspx . What does everyone think of these.

[Rodsmachineshop]

smiths are good stuff also

[Rodsmachineshop]

firepower is a nice set good price when you get a set make sure you get these http://www.weldfabulous.com/p-33700-...es-1-pair.aspx to be safe so dont get a back flash into tanks

[bobwills]

Alot of them have back flash aretorators built in. Wouldnt that be good enough.

[Rodsmachineshop]

[bobwills]

So I called the Praxair close by and got the prices on leasing the tanks. It was $125 for 5 years per tank, which is only like $2 per tank a month. That adds up to more than it would cost to buy used ones from like an auction. Im thinking about going that route because its gonna cost me like over $500 for everything and thats just way too much.