HF O/A Torch kit.....

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:35:57 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for HF O/A Torch kit.....

I am in need of a torch set but am strapped for cash.  I already have tanks that I inherited recently.Are the HF torches any good as in will they last a bit????Opinions???Here is a link to one of the kits:  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92496Come try it out and stay a while.
Reply:No, and no. Hit the hock shops..I see a few decent looking Victor sets in them...
Reply:Originally Posted by zopiNo, and no. Hit the hock shops..I see a few decent looking Victor sets in them...
Reply:I've known a few guys that had the cheap import torch sets. Not the HF ones, but some of the "better" import ones sold thru tool dealers like MSC and some welding supplys. As far as being safe, there wasn't any issues. The problem comes when things break. Even though these were supposed to be Victor clones, in several cases Victor replacement tips won't fit. The tolerances on the import just were not good enough. That meant the torches were basically disposable when they F'd up the rosebud or cutting tip. The end result was the guy having to buy a victor handle and new tip / cutting torch to get back up and running. Add in that the hoses didn't seem to last as long as better ones, and that the regs also didn't seem to last, that "cheep" set get's pretty expensive overall when you start replacing parts peice meal. Most of these guys were small contrctors, not welders, and the torches got very little regular use. Generally it was physical damage, or tips getting crudded up that killed them, that or just sitting in the shop while the hoses deteriorated and dry rotted.If you just want something cheap, go ahead. If you want a decent tool that will last, I'd look used for a good brand name set up. I saw usually 1-2 a week on CL over the winter..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I have one that I use occasionally, mostly for heating with the rosebud and it works fine for that. I have welded with it also and it work OK. The regulators are no better or worse than any other single stage one I have used. I have a Meco torch that I have hooked up to it and that is what I use most often. My $0.02 - OK for occasional use.Cut an MGB and widened 11" C4 Corvette suspension and LT1 Chevrolet power & 6 spd. Pictures hereart 1http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,7581Part 2http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?13,22422
Reply:These Smith sets (note the price isn't much more than the Harbor Freight kit) are WELL made in the US, and survive abuse by our welding students. Spend a little extra and keep it for decades. You can get tips online or locally with no problem.  http://www.welders-direct.com/mercha...ategory_Code=SPS: The goggles are the only bad part of the kit. Throw them away and get a dark face shield for much more comfort and protection.
Reply:Rusty, if money is a concern, I'd look for used myself.My old '93 yj is out of the field and into the shop now.... more to come.
Reply:Thanks for all of the advice gents.  Now that I look at it more, I may be saving up for a new kit.  LWS has a nice Victor kit on sale for $240.Come try it out and stay a while.
Reply:Many of the imports are of very low quality.  They seem to copy a copy of a copy of a Victor.  While tips should be interchangable with victor, the internal parts are not.  The torches and regulators are made to throw away when it does not work properly.  You can spend a little more and get a more reliable outfit.  Rebuilt is always a good option.JimOAdoctorwww.regulatortorchrepair.com
Reply:Guess that sounded a little abrupt...I bought a basic Victor set when I was is high school...19 years ago...still going strong...'snot worth compromising on most tools...HF is great for welders magnets tho'
Reply:Victors are tough and easy to rebuild. I've never regretted buying quality tools.
Reply:I am in the market to buy a new O/A torch and was looking at the HF vs Victor.  Been doing a bunch of research.  There is some chatter about the Victors being made in China now, or at least the parts.  Looked on the thermadyne.com site and they don't say anything about being made in the USA.  This guy on Youtube has a pretty persuasive demo.  I think he is pretty genuine too.
Reply:Originally Posted by makethegunI am in the market to buy a new O/A torch and was looking at the HF vs Victor.  Been doing a bunch of research.  There is some chatter about the Victors being made in China now, or at least the parts.  Looked on the thermadyne.com site and they don't say anything about being made in the USA.  This guy on Youtube has a pretty persuasive demo.  I think he is pretty genuine too.
Reply:Yes, sadly, the bulk of the Victor line is now made in China.  I recently purchased a Victor set to run with propane.From what I was told, the top of the line Victor stuff is still made here.And..........I just plunked down serious change for a Lincoln MIG gun.  Assembled in Mexico (origin of parts not listed).  The replacement Lincoln contact tips were clearly marked "Made in China".AO Smith is still made here.As far as "Victor compatible" sets, most likely the HF set you're looking at.  I don't know about the quality, and MOST IMPORTANTLY I don't know about parts availibility.  Even though HF packages a really nice looking parts list with their stuff, you'll often find that the part is no longer available.  The imported stuff is a product of HUGE production runs, and very often specs get changed for the next MEGA production run, and your part is no longer made."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I'M GONNA GO OUT ON A LIMB HERE  (Lugweld.....bestill your beating heart)I'm so mad at the current situation, having to buy name brand American equipment now made in China, that I'm tempted to abandon the American brands!!!!!!!!!!!!If I'm gonna buy "made in China", why shouldn't I get a "made in China" price????I truly hope some American company dooods look in occassionaly to see the mood of the population  We're getting fed up with this crapOr, maybe I'm a population of one"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI'M GONNA GO OUT ON A LIMB HERE  (Lugweld.....bestill your beating heart)I'm so mad at the current situation, having to buy name brand American equipment now made in China, that I'm tempted to abandon the American brands!!!!!!!!!!!!If I'm gonna buy "made in China", why shouldn't I get a "made in China" price????I truly hope some American company dooods look in occassionaly to see the mood of the population  We're getting fed up with this crapOr, maybe I'm a population of one
Replyolitics, theory, and non-HF brands aside - Does anybody on here have substantial experience with this particular HF model?And a related question - HF occasionally has coupons for an OA 'accessory' set. Does this mean everything you need except tanks and mask? Or is the 'accessory' set just a supplement to some 'primary' set?Last edited by California; 05-09-2010 at 03:09 PM.
Reply:My only experience with a HF torch set, was a co-worker of mine that bought one to use on the farm. When he kept telling me how it was so hard to use and all, I told him to bring it over to the shop and I would go through it with him. Well, both regulators had such awful creep to them they just hit the scrap pile, its not worth fighting garbage. The torch valves wouldnt close unless you reefed on them....and so were finicky to adjust. The fit between the valve thread and torch body was awful, had so much backlash that looking at them made the flame change. The cutting attachment valve stem leaked. The hose looked ok, not real impressed though. Spark lighter functioned, until the threads hold thing flint on stripped and the flint fell to the floor, the lighter soon to follow. Welding tips were awful, even worse than Victor ( and that takes a lot ), bad orice drilling, bad internal geometry, yuck. Cutting tip seemed to function. Anyway the set went back to Horror Freight, and I picked out a WW2 vintage airco set on ebay for him. I overhauled the regulators and torch, he bought a set of tips from National, and when all said and done for $130 he had a wonderful setup. To a person that doesnt know torches, the HF deal looks good, to the person that does know torches......they are maybe worth the metal they are made from. I would never buy a modern Victor rig either. Smith, Harris, or Esab I would suggest ( esabs welding tips arent great though, most need touching up ), Havent tried a modern Airco/Concoa setup. Wouldnt mind checking one out but they are never available locally. Or you can just buy vintage, and have it overhauled, its about the best way to go for quality.
Reply:When I get my gas I will try the torch. I hope it is fine compared to nothing. Maybe I will get the 90 amp flux core HF out of the box and put some Lincoln wire from Lowes on it if I can find everything and see if it will make sputting and splattering sounds. I have Hobart anti splatter gel from TSC. I like buying name brand stuff when I can find it priced right.
Reply:Now I am very excited to get my gas so I can test out the Harbor Freight $99 O/A torch set currently again on sale after geting the HF 90 Amp Flux Wire Welder Model 98871 hooked up and welding this even.It was awesome. Due to web posts I started out with the .035 flux wire and the .9 mm tip by Lincoln from Lowes. Wire feed on 6 and amp setting on high we were able to run beads just fine. Since we did not have any good scrap metal we just ran beads on the back side of front end loader bucket. it really was as simple as drawing a spark and squeezing the trigger to keep the arc going. The kids (age 12) had no problem starting and keeping an arc either. The daughter's second run was OK looking and the first would have held some stress. The son went to fast on the first run but keep the arc just fine. His second run was so so after showing down alot. They only made two runs on the bucket (3/16). Today was their first time to see or do welding and it has be 37 years since I last tried to use a welder.They came up with an old used very rusty metal fence post so I hit the anchoring tab with a hand wire brush and made a lap weld with some success. I am going to get a heavier ground clamp.I got the welder mainly to learn myself and for the kid's shop class use but I can see it can do some real work potentially.