Is the Harris Steelworker Classic a safe way to get into Oxy Acetylene welding?

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Is the Harris Steelworker Classic a safe way to get into Oxy Acetylene welding? http://www.atlweldingsupply.com/Harr...p_45-5141.htmlCan/should I add flashback arrestors to this torch? I also saw this on craigslist for only $60: Smith Oxy Model 1910F-540Smith Acetylene 1194E-510Harris Torch Model 62-3http://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/tls/3415847344.html
Reply:A replacement regulator was $60 when I bought one last.That new set looks like a pretty good deal for $219, states its "US" made.
Reply:here's my local guy for comparison. http://www.weldersupply.com/products...ipment|Outfits
Reply:Thanks guys!The Victor Medium Duty Performer Outfit CGA 510 seems like it is better than the Harris Steelworker because it comes with flashback arrestors: http://www.weldersupply.com/productd...&ID=14&pID=332It's only 199.
Reply:Either choice noted above only comes with one welding tip.  I would think you ought to have half a dozen or so different sizes if you want to get into oxy acetylene welding of an eighth inch thick steel and thinner.  The harris one must have reverse flow check valves just not flashback arrestors.  It helps to have an oxygen regualtor that works well at low ie single digit pounds per inch not one more cutting oriented.  Couldn't tell you which regulator would be better suited for welding.  One has a real short grade t hose and the other has a short grade r hose.Fran
Reply:That's the one drawback to OAW, you need lots of tips if you are working with different thickness materials.  Otherwise you're best off buying one of the complete kits offered online or from a local shop.  Too much **** to go wrong with a used set.  They are serviceable and rebuildable but the cost can quickly add up.  So if you are just starting out with OAW you are best off eliminating as many variables as possible.I got the Smith AW01 setup from Cyberweld, it only comes with brazing tips but they sell tips at a good price.  They have a lot of kits availabe.  Just get a good USA set and you'll be good to go!Good luck!
Reply:harris and victor are well established names.  a complete kit from either of  them is a good choice.  i like the  idea of getting all the tips you need in the kit also.bobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:Go with the Victor torch. Pick up regulators from Craigslist, estate sales, etc. Customize your setup for your needs.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Thanks fellas. I think I'm going to go with the Harris outfit because I can get all the tips I need for around $10 a piece, and I can add on flashback arrestors for either $14 for a generic brand or $50 for Harris flashback arrestors. I will mostly be welding .068 tubular square 1.5 mild steel. I think the kit comes with a #5 welding tip. I will buy a #0,1,2,3 and 4.This will be used for recumbent bike frame welding. Thoughts?
Reply:If you are going to spend that much I would get me a decent small TIG set up for welding the bike frames. It would be more versatile. You can pick up a decent small DC only unit every now and then on craigslist or ebay for $200-$300 dollars. Just a thought.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:BHardy, how would I connect a DC welder to my house?
Reply:It plugs into an AC outlet and has a DC transformer inside it. Not a DC input machine but a DC output machine.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:I get the assumption that you've welded before, with O/A, and are just looking for advice regarding a purchase.If that's the case, I think in the near future you should look for a cheap DC inverter tig.  If you can gas weld bicycle tubing, you're not far off from being able to tig it.But regarding the O/A purchase, in your case buy new and avoid the potential headaches.  I can't count how many "deals" I've got on used O/A stuff only to fight it later trying to get it to work right.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Northern-Ind...item5ae95d39d3Here is what I am talking about. I had a Longevity and liked it but it is an import. This machine is also an import. There is some decent little imports out there especially for home hobby work. If you want a Miller, Lincoln or other name machine the price is $500+ on a used machine.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:I've never welding anything before, but I have brazed under the watchful eye of my Granddad. I am inexperienced. The only think that worries me about getting a tig or any other electric welder is getting an outlet. I'm renting and I doubt that I can make changes to the house. I wanted something somewhat portable as in welding in the backyard away from the house.Just as I was making my choice, a guy sent me an email about a used Smith PC 605. I can't find anything about it on the net, but I'm pretty sure I'm too inexperienced to know what to buy on the used market.  He only wants $40 and he's about 40 miles away.Smith PC 605:
Reply:BHardy that TIG welder looks like a good deal and it should be able to plug into a standard 120v outlet.Last edited by mwshines; 11-24-2012 at 11:37 AM.
Reply:It would also be safer than an open flame device. It would give you the ability to do a little stick welding and TIG welding. Working with square tubing you also need a good saw or cut off wheel. I work with a good bit of square tubing. A good fit is probably as important as anyithing while welding. I also use mostly MIG (wire) welding. Machines are cheaper than TIG machines and easier to learn to use. I had a Miller 130XP which sells used for about $200. They can be set up for either gasless flux core wire or gas with solid wire. The 130XP was a 110v machine and will weld up to 11ga. nicely esp. with a little bit of a bevel on fit up. Gas and wire leaves a cleaner weld, flux core works better outside where shielding gas can get blown away from strong wind. Personally I wouldnt go the route of OA welding for bike frame building. Thats other welding processes that are way better and as cost effective.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/tls/3324835606.htmlHere is a little MIG welder. I have seen them even cheaper for small units.Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:MW,the tig that BH linked to would be the cat's meow in your case.And the emailed Smith, that's just for the cutting torch and handle isn't it?Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:If I don't go OA, I will look into a used TIG like the one from the ebay link. Dubl_T it's just for the cutting torch and handle. I can't find anything about that model.BHardy thanks for the advice.
Reply:The emailed Harris is probably a good deal, but won't suit your needs from what I understand.I think in your case it would be best to go to your local welding supply and talk to them about your situation.  This can be tricky, as they're salesmen, but usually they're pretty good guys too.I'm assuming (again) that money's kinda tight, you're kinda young, you live in GA, and you want to build custom bikes.  Nothing wrong with that.  When I was just out of school, my LWS gave me credit to buy a mig and rent bottles (already had the O/A setup).But getting back to your projects, mig, tig, and O/A are all fine systems for building.  Hell, there's one co. here in the NW that builds frames of WOOD of all things...and they're $$$$$$ AND back-ordered!!Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Another vote for new O/A equipment.  Depending on where you live, Victor, Smith, or Harris will be the brand of choice.  Here in Texas, Victor is king.  If you will be welding primarily small tubing, do yourself a favor and get a smaller torch.
Reply:[QUOTE=mwshines;1849241] ......I wanted something somewhat portable as in welding in the backyard......[QUOTE]That right there tells me O/A would be best in your situation.  Mig and tig need a shielding gas, so "welding time" would be severely regulated by weather (wind) Is your Grandfather still around?  Post your location, I wonder if BH isn't close by and willing to help.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:PM, sent with offer of help if needed. Making as much progress as a one legged duck in the middle of a pond, just going in circles.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeAnother vote for new O/A equipment.  Depending on where you live, Victor, Smith, or Harris will be the brand of choice.  Here in Texas, Victor is king.  If you will be welding primarily small tubing, do yourself a favor and get a smaller torch.Check the size and weight of the torch handles.  I'm still looking for a smaller "aircrafter" size torch."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:Originally Posted by OldendumCheck the size and weight of the torch handles.  I'm still looking for a smaller "aircrafter" size torch.
Reply:Thanks for all the info guys. After talking to some guys on a recumbent bike forum, I've decided to go with a Smith AW1A.  I will probably buy the AW203 and AW205 welding tips, and those 2 tips should cover the thickness of the metal I plan to weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by mwshinesThanks for all the info guys. After talking to some guys on a recumbent bike forum, I've decided to go with a Smith AW1A.  I will probably buy the AW203 and AW205 welding tips, and those 2 tips should cover the thickness of the metal I plan to weld.
Reply:Originally Posted by makoman1860Excellent choice! Much more versatile than ANY dc tig could ever hope to be.