[TheForge] Re: OxyAcetylene Tanks and Torch packages

[Dave Brown]

At 07:21 12/20/03, you wrote:

>Also,
> > any pros and cons on either Harris or Victor torches ?

Mark ...

Both companies make and sell light, medium, and heavy duty torch kits.  I 
happen to have a Smith medium duty torch oxy/prop set, but can use acet 
simply by changing tanks and tips.  The only significant difference that I 
see between Harris and Victor is availability of tips.  Victor seems more 
popular and therefore more readily available.  But, that gets leveled out a 
bit now that Harris has a V-series of torch kits.  These are compatible 
with the Victor tips, so that hurdle is removed.  If you want it for 
welding, forget propane in spite of the claims of some torch manufacturers. 
Propane doesn't weld worth spit.  It's in the flame makeup and 
chemistry.  In propane only 50% is consumed in the inner cone, the other 
50% in the outer cone.  That means that you're throwing a lot of free 
oxygen around the weld area and it makes it that much harder to get your 
puddle formed.

What thicknesses or gauges of sheet metal do you plan to cut with the 
torch?  You may find that an electric throatless shear may be better for 
your purposes.  Just for example see the Bosch shears 
at:  http://hottoolprices.com/shears.htm  Yeah, they do get pricey, but you 
can find used ones if you've got the time.  I have two of these (both 
Bosch), one is for 10ga (almost 1/8") and the other is rated for 
16ga.  They work great on cutting leaves and such.  But they do suck when 
it comes to trying to cut something out of the middle of a sheet, such as 
cutting holes.

But as far as torches go, toss a coin between Harris and Victor.  Be sure 
to get T hose because it's multi-fuel (including propane) rated and make 
sure you get propane tips not acetylene tips.  Regulators are 
interchangeable between propane and acetylene, the only difference being 
that some say acetylene on the gauge face but inside they're the same.

Dave Brown
Heritage Smithing
Green Bay, WI