Harbor Freight torch

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Straight business.   I did a search here back to 2009.  I was looking for comments on a Harbor Freight torch.  I'm talking the torch alone, not the kits.  What I found was lots of opinion but not so much in the way of facts.  I'm thinking that the Harbor Freight torch (not any of their other products) may have a undeserved bad reputation based on nothing but personal preference of other brands.  I have handled the HF torch.  I've checked the codes on them and the connectors and threads.  I checked the You Tube videos.  I checked with the repair dept. of two local welding supply houses.  I called HF technical and purposely asked where the thing was made and what (if any) other brands are made there. If you spend the time and refuse to accept deflecting answers eventually you get to someone who (apparently) knows.  What I got is that the torches are Victor or Harris clones and came off of the same line as those torch parts and then are assembled in the U.S..  Now I do not have decades of experience, but I do have some and I cannot come up with any real reason to reject the HF torch just because it is Harbor Freight.  To be sure, for heavy duty or specialty applications there are better torches speced out more thoroughly, but when it comes down to it you can pay more and get a better warranty, but it is a crap shoot if one brand performs better or is any safer than another.  I want to do occasional, but reliable and safe welding or cutting necessary for home, farm applications.  I have never, never, found any evidence of a HF torch failure.  I'm asking for facts.  Is there any failure on the HF torch that can be documented?  I'm paying attention.Last edited by nitpicker; 03-26-2013 at 12:30 PM.
Reply:You're more than welcome to buy what you want. I'll stick with my Victor and others may well damn me for it. Doubt I'd ever buy a Harbor Freight torch, but again, it's all personal preference. May well be a quality product. My air compressor is sourced from Harbor Freight and is a Quincy 5 hp 80 gallon with a slow rpm Baldor motor...so they do sell good products at times.Last edited by WyoRoy; 03-26-2013 at 12:38 PM.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:I went with used victor torch and regulators instead of a new HF set. the HF looked and felt cheaply made and hazardous to use.  My opinion.Longevity 160sx Lincoln 140 miglincoln magnum spoolgunVictor torch and regulators
Reply:You'd have to take them apart and look at details like valves and seats.  Quality of o-rings may be suspect.  They may look like clones on the outside but differ materially on the inside.  I'd like to compare one of the IOxygen clones to the real thing and some other clones.That said, I wouldn't automatically discount them all.  But when I can get a new Victor 315FC handle with cutting attachment on CL for $45. there's no incentive to go clone."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:Why buy a harbor freight torch set when you can buy a MADE IN USA SMITH for the same amount of money. This is my local supplier in Wisconsin. http://www.weldersupply.com/products...ipment|Outfits
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Why buy a harbor freight torch set when you can buy a MADE IN USA SMITH for the same amount of money. This is my local supplier in Wisconsin. http://www.weldersupply.com/products...ipment|Outfits
Reply:harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...fit-92496.html    $199.99Smith  http://www.weldersupply.com/productd...&ID=14&pID=317 $195.00I was trying to compare similar.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...fit-92496.html    $199.99Smith  http://www.weldersupply.com/productd...&ID=14&pID=317 $195.00I was trying to compare similar.
Reply:looks like a heck of a deal for the set though
Reply:nitpicker, i have a good suggestion for you if you want a total unbiased opinion call a guy that repairs torches and regulators he will tell you the god honest truth because he has seen it all and is not trying to sell you anything and doesn't care either way .but there is one thing that people always seem to forget about when they buy HF equipment is the "RESALE VALUE" you might have some very valid points and you might think "i am not buying this stuff to sell " but you never know what you will come across in the future ! i buy HF stuff also just nothing that is very important a cutting torch can be a very dangerous tool if something goes wrong so i choose to not take my chances but that's just my opinion  , stick with the people who make torches for a living ! good luck Chris
Reply:Here's my story! I bought a set with gauges, hoses and regulators all ready to start cutting. I was using them in the shop and shut them off to go eat lunch. When I came back to work I noticed the shop was filling with acetylene gas. I opened all the doors and windows very quickly so the place wouldn't go boom. The acetylene valve on the torch handle wouldn't shut off the gas. I took them back and got my money refunded.No more HF torches for me.
Reply:Honestly, I tried that at three local welding houses.  These guys have found new life with the arrival of the Marcellus Shale  companies.  Time after time I heard the Victor, Harris, Smith reply.  Harbor Freight has never been mentioned and when I asked, the concensus answer was that it wouldn't be worth doing the repair on any Chinese "junk".. (Keep in mind however that with the oil hired welding guys, price pretty much is not a factor)  But I heard from one behind the counter guy who also said that with prices today unless it was for a special application or a personal favorite torch the cost of a refurbish would apply to most old torchs made by the above.  The one person who was full time tech willing to talk was getting a bit antsy so I didn't push and ask about the HF as a alternative when compared to the Chinese parts being used by the big three.Essentially I struck out.  I still haven't heard of a HF torch failure, but the general feeling is with the pro repair guys is "no welder worth his salt" would take the chance on HF.  I'm back where I started.
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbHere's my story! I bought a set with gauges, hoses and regulators all ready to start cutting. I was using them in the shop and shut them off to go eat lunch. When I came back to work I noticed the shop was filling with acetylene gas. I opened all the doors and windows very quickly so the place wouldn't go boom. The acetylene valve on the torch handle wouldn't shut off the gas. I took them back and got my money refunded.No more HF torches for me.
Reply:Originally Posted by hogI read the basicly same story before,some were the regulators kept raising pressure by themselves and some was torches wouldnt shut off or leaked. Its not worth taking a chance on clones when for a few bucks more you can buy the real deal.  imho
Reply:came off of the same line as those torch parts and then are assembled in the U.S
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbHere's my story! I bought a set with gauges, hoses and regulators all ready to start cutting. I was using them in the shop and shut them off to go eat lunch. When I came back to work I noticed the shop was filling with acetylene gas. I opened all the doors and windows very quickly so the place wouldn't go boom. The acetylene valve on the torch handle wouldn't shut off the gas. I took them back and got my money refunded.No more HF torches for me.
Reply:Here's one guys opinion:(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:HF  is sh!t.  If one wants to be a penny pincher on a crap tool, buy your Horrible Fright junk.  Seems like you've already made up your mind and are just looking to get support to buy some Hong Kong torch.  What do you need our opinions for?  Go buy it if you like it.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...fit-92496.html    $199.99Smith  http://www.weldersupply.com/productd...&ID=14&pID=317 $195.00I was trying to compare similar.
Reply:That's my point.  Prove your statement.  Truth is I don't have a preference.  I'm trying to get to factual information -- not gut feelings.  If I was to compare your statement with woodworking tools you're like the guy who buys Festool because they are good, but far more expensive, then hate to admit that they spent too damn much for a product that works equally well but is less expensive.  Perhaps you should consider the rule of measurement provided to me long ago which states "Purchasing a U.S. made Starrett stainless steel rule is preferable, but if a different brand stainless rule sells for 1/5 the price, all millimeters are equal and an inch is an inch -- buy the less expensive tool"Last edited by nitpicker; 03-27-2013 at 10:15 AM.
Reply:Inches ain't always inches Compare two tape measures   Usually the calibration is off on the cheaper brands, no kidding.  I'm not talking about the way the hook is bent, I'm talking about the actual scale on the tape.Sadly I bought a new Victor set about 2 or so yrs back, and it was made in China.  My older Harris was made in Texas USA.Stinking truth is..............it's hard to find anything made here anymore, even the tried-and-true old line brands.They try to sugar coat it by stamping stuff "engineered in the USA" but it's crapThe new Boeing passenger liner is "engineered in USA" but the components came almost entirely from overseas.  See how that's working out "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammInches ain't always inches Compare two tape measures   Usually the calibration is off on the cheaper brands, no kidding.  I'm not talking about the way the hook is bent, I'm talking about the actual scale on the tape.Sadly I bought a new Victor set about 2 or so yrs back, and it was made in China.  My older Harris was made in Texas USA.Stinking truth is..............it's hard to find anything made here anymore, even the tried-and-true old line brands.They try to sugar coat it by stamping stuff "engineered in the USA" but it's crapThe new Boeing passenger liner is "engineered in USA" but the components came almost entirely from overseas.  See how that's working out
Reply:Also another thing to consider is if you plan on keeping the item in service for a lifetime, then I'd go with the higher quality stuff. My Victor, which I mentioned earlier was made in '86 (hell that was before I was BORN) is like new quality (possibly rebuilt, but that's OK). That's a torch that will last for darn near forever for me. I use it with Marquette regulators that were built probably back in the '70s, and I foresee them lasting for a long long while longer.
Reply:Originally Posted by nitpickerThat's my point.  Prove your statement.  Truth is I don't have a preference.  I'm trying to get to factual information -- not gut feelings.  If I was to compare your statement with woodworking tools you're like the guy who buys Festool because they are good, but far more expensive, then hate to admit that they spent too damn much for a product that works equally well but is less expensive.  Perhaps you should consider the rule of measurement provided to me long ago which states "Purchasing a U.S. made Starrett stainless steel rule is preferable, but if a different brand stainless rule sells for 1/5 the price, all millimeters are equal and an inch is an inch -- buy the less expensive tool"
Reply:the QC on the HF is minimal at best on tolerances IIRC Valve seats and apparatus seatsI have had 2 of there victor 100c clone handles without a problem but have seen the ones out of tolerance as wellall my stuff is genuine Victor and Smith now and has been for yearsLast edited by WeldorWes; 03-28-2013 at 05:47 AM.Miller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected], I can't wait until  harbor freight sells defibrillator's !!!!!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI just realized that I can afford a victor (or smith or Harris), so I have the luxury of not buying HF.  What's your reason for buying HF?  A better question is, why are you still asking for opinions, when you've already made up your mind?   Why does someone buy a Yugo car?  Because that's all they can afford.  If you could afford better, you'd buy better.Well, I don't know what area in "China" your alleged "Victor" was made in, because Victor answered my question on the origin of manufacturer for their  torches.   From the "real" Victor, their torches are made NOT in China," but Mexico and USA.
Reply:If you do buy the HF please post your review of it. But you have been looking into this since 2009, after 4 years it may still be awhile.Thoroughness is good.Tim Beeker.
Reply:HF is like that box of chocolates. Because there is really almost nothing by way of QC "you never know what you gonna get." I like the comments under that Video about how the hoses failed.   Gotta love those reviews done by people who  have  zero or very little hours on a pierce of equipment, but  are absolutely dead certain that  the item is fabulous.
Reply:Originally Posted by RaulHF is like that box of chocolates. Because there is really almost nothing by way of QC "you never know what you gonna get." I like the comments under that Video about how the hoses failed.   Gotta love those reviews done by people who  have  zero or very little hours on a pierce of equipment, but  are absolutely dead certain that  the item is fabulous.
Reply:http://www.weldfabulous.com/p-20690-...30-outfit.aspxLongevity 160sx Lincoln 140 miglincoln magnum spoolgunVictor torch and regulators
Reply:I make my living with my tools, so I buy the good stuff. When I first started out I bought an old Purox set that I still have for less than a HF set. Shop around and buy a quality USA made torch and have it for life.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by nitpickerThat's my point.  Prove your statement.