[TheForge] WHICH Harris torch for propane? (was: All States propane torch)

[Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer]

Hi Bruce;
This discussion has been strung out over time and several locations.
Jerry and Clyde Wynia both love their AllStates torches. The website has videos and awkward hyperbole.
The torch is an old time design with low pressure fuel gas entraining high pressure oxy.
The patents have expired, the inventor has passed away, the parts are made by Harris and i'm hoping to avoid 
AllStates extravagant pricing by going direct.
Clyde befriended a Harris exec and got a list of possible parts #s to make one up.
The propane reg is apparently oddball.
Not sure , but my impression is that the torch handle ( with fancy thumb valve that acts like a gas saver) will also serve
as a regular oxy/acet torch with the right tips and regs. This isn't a small torch, i think Jim got a smaller size handle for himself.
My interest is primarily for the high output oxy-propane rosebud as an adjunct to forging and bending larger stock. 
It was a popular wrecker's torch for it's cutting abilities. If you don't do a lot of cutting heavy steel, I don't see why to bother with it.
For welding steel and for focused heat, you want oxy/acet....Hands down. You are quite correct.
My next step is to email Clyde's friend at Harris and to compare the parts list he supplied to the Harris catalogue.

For someone buying their first welding torch, there's a great deal to be said for a  small ( aircraft) or mid size Victor torch kit. Excellent parts availability, 
durability, cuts well, and i particularly like the Victor flame shape for welding. I put mine together from swap meet finds.( i have 5 or 6 different torches now).


On Jul 16, 2013, at 5:57 AM, Bruce . wrote:

Okay, when you guys have reached a final conclusion, how 'bout cluing
in the non-torch-literate amongst us (myself included) EXACTLY what
torch and configuration you mean.

Seems to me when this discussion was young (a month or three ago) I
visited the Harris site and found a plethora of different torches
there.  I have no idea which you guys are talking about!

Then please remind us all what this torch is good for.  IIRC, the
assertion stands that a oxygen-propane torch won't weld, but can be
used for anything else an oxy-acetylene torch can be used for.  Is
that correct?

I've had need for a torch from time to time but have always squeaked
by with single-gas torches.  (Of course, I also have a gas forge,
propane-air.)


On Tue, Jul 16, 2013 at 2:20 AM, Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer
<artgawk at thegrid.net> wrote:
> Thanks Jim;
> Guess that establishes that it's possible with just Harris components.
> i'll have a try at it myself , then.
> 
> On Jul 15, 2013, at 11:03 PM, James Binnion wrote:
> 
> I am quite pleased with what I have experienced with the Harris low pressure mixer and the new propane regulator. Since I don't have an AllStates It is hard for me to  do a direct comparison to that but when compared to my Victor torch with a high pressure regulator and standard mixer the Harris with the low pressure mixer is clearly superior.
> 
> Jim
> 
-- 
Bruce
NJ
______________________________________________________________
TheForge mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net

TheForge mail list group photo site is
http://www.shutterfly.com
Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
Password: anvil

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html