What to look for in a used torch set?

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Hi all. I am pretty much brand new at this, but have been reading a bit and using a cheap flux core machine here and there. I need an oxy acetylene torch for various reasons. Only for my own stuff around the barn. I am not sure one of the small rigs would suffice so maybe looking at medium tanks. With that in mind what brands and things besides leaks etc should one look for on the used market? Hoping to get into a set without breaking the bank. If I decide to go new I would get the small kits you see around for budget reasons, but can those regulators be fitted for the medium tanks at some point. How long will those small tanks last with occasional use? Thank you.
Reply:1st cylinders. Most places exchange cylinders, so as long as they are in good shape, you should be OK with medium sized cylinders. One thing you might have to do 1st time out is pay the inspection fee if they are out of hydro. Issue with exchanges is that some places don't sell larger sizes, they only rent/lease them. So if you pick up one of those off CL, you may not be able to exchange them. With Acetylene usually 75 cf or less is usually owner. Larger could be leased. O2, sizes less than 150 cf are often owner units, Bigger cylinders may be leased. One easy way to make sure you can exchange them is to meet the seller at the local supplier and see if they will swap them. At worst you have to add the cost of gas to the cylinder price, but it removes the guess work of exchanges. I have an account with my place, and as long as it has one of their stickers, they exchange it for me whether I have a lease on one or not. My smaller owned cylinders I can exchange at the other big company if I had no choice, but my bigger cylinders have to go where I usually get gas.Torches and regs. Look at their condition. If they are all oily and greasy, I'd either pass or figure I'd need to get them rebuilt. Have him test the torch etc. Make sure the regs hold pressure and don't creep up when they have sat for a bit. That usually means the diaphragm is going and they need a rebuild. Hoses check for dry rot. Replacing a hose isn't a big deal, but figure in the cost when thinking about price. General condition, how beat up are the torches? What brand? can you get parts for them in the future. Big names like Victor, Harris, Smith should be no problem. Other units like old Airco ones haven't been made in years. Import stuff is disposable. They aren't worth much at all used, maybe $30-50 tops for everything. New you can get them for less than $100 regularly.Take a minute and add your location to your profile so we know where you are at. A lot of guys here surf CL regularly, and if they know you are looking and in the area, they may pass on suggestions you can go look at..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:My advice is to ignore the small kits. The are useful only for cutting really. The tanks aren't large enough to really do any kind of serous heating or welding. With acetylene the general safety rule is to not flow more than 1/7th the tank volume per hour. Those little tanks (MC size) only hold 10 cubic feet, so your max flow per hour would be about 1.4 CFH...that is not a lot. Probably just enough to run a victor 000 or 00 tip. If you look around on Craig's list, you can usually find larger bottles for cheap. Here is a video I found useful on what to look for when buying larger bottlesFor sure also call your local welding supplier (LWS) and ask them what to look for when buying used tanks and which tanks they will refill for you or not.As far as the torch or regulators, look for the known name brands and avoid the Chinese made stuff. You want to be able to buy extra parts and tips as needed, and the Chinese stuff may not be supported at your LWS. Big names like Smiths, Victor, Harris, and ESAB (Purox, Oxweld) ought to be safe. Avoid the "Victor Type" and "Harris Type", as these are generally knock offs. You want real Victor or Harris branded equipment. I bought a very nice set of Purox torches and bottles on CL for <$200 and ESAB took really good care of me in refurbing the regulators, basically for free. Your mileage may vary, but a torch with a large tank is much more useful than a torch with smaller tank, unless you really need portability.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Skip those baby outfits. Get like 125/ 150 tanks instead of the small ones. There's not a big difference on refills either. Check with local supplier for a package deal on tanks and outfit. Here's a supplier by me that has a SMITH, MADE IN USA for $195.00 , medium duty. It's NEW and complete, no screwin  around .http://www.weldersupply.com/C/14/OutfitsHere's where I got my cylinders from if you want a price comparison. http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tld/4349192348.html