[TheForge] Recommendations on gas welding set

[Peter Fels And Phoebe Palmer]

Marc
If you get oxy acet, then you can get the propane later as an 
inexpensive add on. Get an old, major brand so you can get parts 
easily.  Buy T type hoses so you can use them with propane . I've never 
seen a sheet metal cutting tip for propane, which sounds like one of the 
things you want. Forget the Henrob, respectfully. If you want a small 
torch, get a nice Victor aircraft style...Old torches that aren't abused 
but new enough to have O ring seals on the tips are usually fine...Hook 
it up and run it before buying if you can. 2 stage regulators are nice , 
but not imperitave../Pete F

Marc Godbout wrote:

>I've decided that I've been a good enough boy this year to buy myself a
>new toy. We use an OA torch in class to weld, braze, and do localized
>heating. It seems a natural addition to my shop. My needs are a little
>different than class, so I don't think I need that type of setup. But
>what should I get?? Here's what I'm thinking.
>
>First, I already have propane for the forge, so I want to stay with
>oxy-propane. Also, I've got a TIG setup - no foot control, yet, but I'm
>working on it. I can use that for any fancy welding, letting me stick
>with propane. So what I would use the torch for is:
>
>1) Cutting. I'd like to do clean, curved, cuts, like leaves, petals, ...
>in sheet from 10g down to 16g, and then other stuff maybe up to 1". I
>don't see myself cutting bigger stuff very often and would probably
>borrow or pay someone for that. So can torches do nice cuts on 16g? I
>know - get a plasma cutter. But I haven't been *that* good a boy.
>
>2) Localized heating for bending, forming, etc. Maybe up to 1" square,
>but mostly in the 1/4" - 1/2" range.
>
>3) Brazing. Same sizes as above.
>
>
>I think I would be better off with a smaller, lighter, setup than the
>normal welding kit. I've seen writeups on the Henrob, but that's a
>little expensive. How about the Versa-torch? Any other ideas?
>
>Thanks, and have a very merry Christmas.
>
>-Marc
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