My first oxy/ac torch. Running into problems with fittings

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My wife's grandfather gave me his old setup. Bottles, torches, solder, gauges, hoses, tools, etc. Lots of good stuff. I'm not sure how old the stuff is but I see that everything has much smaller fittings on it vs what I am seeing now. I'm guessing that the new stuff is all 3/8" and his stuff is 1/8" (I'll post a picture if I need to). His hose was dry rotted so I bought a new hose at Harbor Freight. Of course, it does not fit anything (the ends were hidden so I was unaware of the problem until I got it home). So, help me with this figure out the best way to fix this.1) I could buy a ton of adaptors but I am not sure they would work. The male ends on the cutting torch are too close together so the hose ends would be hitting into each other. This probably isn't a good solution.2) I could buy the correct hose to go with the setup. The problem is I had no idea what it is called and no idea where to find it. All the $30 hoses (25' x 1/4" red/green) I have seen have the large fittings.Any ideas?Oh, see how the hose fittings on this torch are "separated", my ends are not. They are extremely close together (just enough room to put the small fittings on):My $120 Mig - Harbor Freight 151T 220VMy $300 Plasma Cutter - Rattler 40A  110V/220VCurrent project (Miata Trailer):http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/
Reply:What Brand and Model is the Torch body. Showing a generic photo from online isn't the solution to your problem. Most guys would take it to the local welding supply store to get the proper parts.Not go to Harbor Frieght to buy Chinese CRAP!
Reply:Aviator Jet is the brand on the torch body. I'm assuming the model # was rubbed off from 60 years of use. I'm not exactly sure how putting me down helps me find a hose with the correct fittings but if that is what you want to do with your Saturday morning then go for it. Anyone out there know what kind of fitting the old setup has so I can search online for the correct hose? I will surely try a welding supply store (only one I know of is about a 50 mile round trip) on Monday but my guess is that they will have the same fittings on their hoses that my cheap Chinese hose has on it.My $120 Mig - Harbor Freight 151T 220VMy $300 Plasma Cutter - Rattler 40A  110V/220VCurrent project (Miata Trailer):http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/
Reply:Pictures of what I am talking about:My $120 Mig - Harbor Freight 151T 220VMy $300 Plasma Cutter - Rattler 40A  110V/220VCurrent project (Miata Trailer):http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/
Reply:Sounds like a MECO Aviator Jet (second from left in pic).  I believe those are the "A" size fittings rather than the "B" size commonly used in larger torches.http://www.westernenterprises.com/en...s/fit_abcd.php Attached Images"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Thanks! That is what I need. I'll order some hoses with A size fittings.My $120 Mig - Harbor Freight 151T 220VMy $300 Plasma Cutter - Rattler 40A  110V/220VCurrent project (Miata Trailer):http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/
Reply:Are your regs A size, or do you need A on one end and B on the other?Your LWS may be able to put A ends on one side of the hose you bought. Tinmantech.com sells a hose with A-B fittings.  https://www.tinmantech.com/html/welding_hoses.phpEdit:  the LWS may be able to reuse the fittings on your old hose and just crimp on a new ferrule.Last edited by Oldendum; 06-08-2013 at 09:19 AM."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Everything is size A.Thanks!My $120 Mig - Harbor Freight 151T 220VMy $300 Plasma Cutter - Rattler 40A  110V/220VCurrent project (Miata Trailer):http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/
Reply:The Aviator Jet is a good little torch!  The smaller fittings are "A" sized which were common back in the day of a lot of O/A welding.  today most O/A users are primarily concerned with cutting operations so the "B" sized fittings have become the norm.Generally speaking, the "A" sized fitting are used on 3/16" hose as it gives a bit more flexibility which is nice with a small torch.  Kent White does offer an ultra light weight torch whip for the MECO he sells which is ultra nice to have for fine welding operations (I have them on my MECO and love them for doing cluster joints on airframes and the metal sculpturing I do do).  http://www.tinmantech.com/html/welding_hoses.php#ulwWestern Ent. http://www.westernenterprises.com/en...s/fit_abcd.php  (click on the PDF icon in the upper right of the page for the actual catalog page) has the barbs and nuts you need or you can do what I do and simply re-use the old ones on new hose (most full line welding supplies sell Siamese hose by the foot).  I have the crimpers in shop, but the LWS can crimp your fittings to the new hose.  If the regulator fittings are "B" and the torch is "A" I might suggest making a hose using the correct "B" barb/nut for the 3/16" hose end and then use the correct "A" sized barb/nut for the torch.  It will keep the possible leak points to a minimum and also keeps the weight down as well.  Kent also has this hose assembly on his website (see previous tinmantech link).Our own O/A Doc (forum member) rebuilds regulators and would be able to zoom in and tell you if parts are still available to service yours, should they prove to need work.As for age?  I would guess late 40s to early 50s.The torch is a "Good Get" !   Take care of it and you can pass it on to your kids/grandkids.While I was typing, I see Olde has already got you going.  The ultra light hoses have the "A" fitting on both ends and use the adapters when needed for "B" size regulators.Last edited by Rog02; 06-08-2013 at 09:43 AM.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Originally Posted by Rog02The Aviator Jet is a good little torch!  The torch is a "Good Get" !   Take care of it and you can pass it on to your kids/grandkids.
Reply:Originally Posted by rmcelweeNo kids/grandkids here (we have some chickens and a cat) so I will give them to a neighborhood kid when I am finished with them.
Reply:Yes, I will post a picture of everything. I'll take some pics and start a new "look what I got" thread.My $120 Mig - Harbor Freight 151T 220VMy $300 Plasma Cutter - Rattler 40A  110V/220VCurrent project (Miata Trailer):http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/
Reply:I'm sure you can get good money for MECO Aviator torch tips/mixers.  The bicycle & airframe builders seek out smaller torches and accessories.  Don't pass them on to someone who has no idea of their worth or capabilities."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Everyone can probably see the new thread but I thought I would post a link in case anyone needs it for some reason years from now:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...51#post2738951My $120 Mig - Harbor Freight 151T 220VMy $300 Plasma Cutter - Rattler 40A  110V/220VCurrent project (Miata Trailer):http://www.lightweightmiata.com/trailer/