Help selecting a torch setup

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I know nothing about O/A welding, but I could really use a setup for pre-heat, possibly cutting, heat shrinking, heating for bending, etc. What are your opinions of the best brand and/or model number? I have no problem buying used. Is Victor the way to go, or is Smith better? I DO NOT want to buy a set up just to be limited by its capabilities in the future, so regardless of which brand I go with, I think I'm going to get the heavy duty outfit, unless there's a good reason not to? The quality name brands aren't that expensive, so Chinese options are out of the picture. I think $300 will buy a new Heavy Duty Victor outfit. Probably closer to $400 for Smith.John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:Hi Econdron,  You need to get bottles that can support the outfits gas consumption so do not get something that requires you to buy or lease expensive bottles unless you really need that.  I had considered the Victor Heavy Duty with the new regulators but you'll find that the regulators are not readable at the low end of the scale so they are not very useful.    I ended up getting a "free" medium duty Chinese copy of the Victor with my bottles and cart so I cannot say much more on the subject.  You may want to get an OxyFuel setup with type T hoses and the proper tips so you can go back and forth between gases.Steve
Reply:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smith-Weldin...item1e9a25fdd0Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshophttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Smith-Weldin...item1e9a25fdd0
Reply:Smith/Miller.  Medium Duty w/ functionality for O/A (cutting/welding) & O/P (cutting).http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00257Last edited by ManoKai; 02-26-2015 at 12:37 PM."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Good size tips or rosebuds require a large volume of acetylene to stay within the 1/7th rule for withdrawal. You do not have that issue though if you opt to use propane. That's why you will often find many places run large propane rosebuds for heat shrinking, bending or preheat..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'm also currently in the process of upgrading my torch setup.  I currently have two Victor Journeyman torches and a Stoody spray torch.  All have quick disconnects on them so I can easily switch between torches.  I'm going to keep those torches pretty much just for gas and spray welding.  I'm looking at the Smith HD series 30 outfit in propylene for cutting and heating in order to save on Acetylene cost for cutting and heating operations and to be able to cut thicker material without having to buy a giant acetylene tank.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Well I am planning on leasing tanks from my local gas company. I already lease most of my welding cylinders from them. Lease is like $50/year regardless of size or type of bottle. They're very fair priced as well especially compared to AirGas. So I should go with a propane/oxygen setup? What are the dis-advantages to this? I'm starting a government job where part of the job requires heating with a torch. They will be inspecting the processes so I need something. They actually call out for an O/A torch, but I'm sure I could get away oxy/propane. I don't think I could get away with MAPP gas though. Plus as I mentioned before, there have been many instances where I could really use a pre-heat torch.John 3:16(2) Miller Pheonix 456(2) Millermertic 252Dynasty 210DXHobart 210MVPDoringer D350 SA Cold SawScotchman 350LT Cold SawWebb 10x50 MillWebb 15x40 LatheGeka Bendicrop Ironworker
Reply:I am a fan of Smiths, but also now a fan of the ESAB products: oxweld, purox, etc. I stumbled onto a great deal a few years back. Purox metal master heavy duty kit, 125 cu ft oxygen and 145 cu ft acetylene bottle all for $150.  If you by the ESABs new they are guaranteed for life, and Esab provides GREAT customer service.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I'm a Victor guy and wouldn't own any thing else but the Smiths are really just as good, I just don't like the feel of them. I don't care for Harris at all. It seems the cutting air fades in and out as you hit and release the handle. I would get the one that your welding supply carries the tips and such for. I would definitely buy used as there are some great deals out there.
Reply:Personally I despise propane but for heating large areas its the way to go. For heating I would go with a heavy duty rather than a medium duty. The tip selection is better and the bigger regulators will give you better flow. Check with weldersupply.com for real good pricing.
Reply:Victor is probably the most popular brand, and thus the easiest to find used parts for. Smith and Harris are also good and parts are commonly available. If you are mostly using oxy-fuel for preheating, propane is a lot cheaper than acetylene. Make sure you get an outfit with multi-fuel (type T) hose, not type R which is acetylene only.Since you are new to the oxy-fuel world, you are probably wise to start with a new outfit. As you gain experience you will find many bargains on flea-bay and CL.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by BobI'm a Victor guy and wouldn't own any thing else but the Smiths are really just as good, I just don't like the feel of them. I don't care for Harris at all. It seems the cutting air fades in and out as you hit and release the handle. I would get the one that your welding supply carries the tips and such for. I would definitely buy used as there are some great deals out there.
Reply:I would go with propylene, cheaper than acetylene, heats better than propane, doesn't have the draw limitations of acetylene or the line pressure problems.  A heavy duty outfit with a big rosebud tip will suck alot of fuel and cutting the cost down is always nice.  Those are my reasons for switching to propylene for my cutting and heating at least.Smith torches are very nice, my Victors are decent.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshophttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Smith-Weldin...item1e9a25fdd0
Reply:Originally Posted by wintermuteI would go with propylene, cheaper than acetylene, heats better than propane, doesn't have the draw limitations of acetylene or the line pressure problems.  A heavy duty outfit with a big rosebud tip will suck alot of fuel and cutting the cost down is always nice.  Those are my reasons for switching to propylene for my cutting and heating at least.Smith torches are very nice, my Victors are decent.--Wintermute
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseIf one were to use propylene instead of acetylene or propane for fuel, would the torch/tips/regulators/hoses be the same as you would use for propane?  I am considering setting up for oxy/propane and would like to be able to switch fuels using propylene or propane.
Reply:Originally Posted by fran...k.torch sametips, well read the manual the outer part of the two piece cutting nozzles are a bit shorter than propane or a totally different part number for some brands.  Harris I think has the best alternative fuel tips, clearly they are not welding tips in a conventional sense.regulator  well if you want to go over 15 psi you will need a different regulator, adapters or different stems to the cylinder may be needed, at least three variants.hose  not the acetylene only kindWe have the injector vs mixer aspect to consider.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseThat got complicated...I think I'll stick with just oxy/propane.  No desire to go with acetylene.  Main use would be cutting steel stock up to 1/2" thick and heating.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseThat got complicated...I think I'll stick with just oxy/propane.  No desire to go with acetylene.  Main use would be cutting steel stock up to 1/2" thick and heating.
Reply:Propylene is cheaper than acetylene without the same pressure and flow rate concerns. It has a higher BTU output than propane and doesn't have the moisture carrying problems of propane or the cold weather problems.  That's why I'd recommend it for the work you intend to do.  Since propane and propylene run the same tips/regs/hoses (at least with the Smith torches) that's what I'd go with if I were you.  If you need to gas weld, get acetylene.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Originally Posted by wintermuteFor propylene and propane with the smith torch, regulators and tips are the same. Not sure about others. There are different tips required for acetylene.--Wintermute
Reply:Don't bank on using propylene until you call your local suppliers.  You cannot get it where I live, they sell some sort of in-between MAPP/Propane/Propylene variant with a Trademark name instead.Steve
Reply:Ahh, where I am everyone carries it.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Well, I have gotten a lot of great information from you guys regarding the fuel gases and hardware.  I really appreciate your taking the time to educate me.I neglected to mention that I don't plan on doing any oxy/xxx welding.  Only cutting (up to 1/2" steel), heating and some brazing.  I'm not even sure if our local LWS/gas supplier carries propylene.I'd give them a call...if they carry it, it's probably your best bet.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseWell, I have gotten a lot of great information from you guys regarding the fuel gases and hardware.  I really appreciate your taking the time to educate me.I neglected to mention that I don't plan on doing any oxy/xxx welding.  Only cutting (up to 1/2" steel), heating and some brazing.  I'm not even sure if our local LWS/gas supplier carries propylene.
Reply:Well, a plasma cutter IS the next thing I'd like to get.  Just no dinero for that right now,
Reply:Econdron,Hey man, I apologize if I hijacked your thread.  Didn't mean to, it just seemed to drift that way.  I hope you got some good info as well.