Torch value

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I have a friend whose father recently passed away.  The friend found an old cutting rig in his dads stuff and he wants to sell it.  It is a Victor torch, the smaller one, can't remember the model on those, a "rosebud" heating tip, couple of welding tips.  I think he lit it and it does work although it looks pretty rough.  The regulators are Airco, could not find a model on them.  Hose is pretty much shot looking but maybe does not leak.  Also has a fairly heavy duty 2 wheel cart that was made in Kansas I think.What would be a fair price to offer him for this?  He wants me to buy it and I don't want to price it too low but don't want to give much more than it is worth either.Thanks in advance.
Reply:I suggest taking the stuff to your LWS and ask to have it inspected.  Without knowing the real condition it is impossible to guess a value.  As with anything sold "as-is" in unknown condition it is worth what you can get for it and until money changes hands that is a shot in the dark.- MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Reviewing your inquiry and my initial post I think I should have been more elaborate...I would not purchase any gas equipment that is no longer repairable.  Airco regs may or may not be repairable.  Same with the torch. But without inspection by a qualified person (who is specifically qualified to inspect and repair this equipment) we just can't tell.    This brings me back to my initial response;  Take the regs and torch to LWS for inspection.  If the seller is your friend I would expect he would be agreeable to allowing inspection by qualified personnel.  This is in the best interests for both you and your friend.  He wants to get a fair price, you want to get servicable equipment, not scrap.My own recent experiance:I "inherited" some gas equipment from an estate a few months ago.  I took in an Airco nitrogen reg for inspection and replacement of the diaphram.  Yes, the parts are avialable, but thorough cleaning by the service technician revealed two nearly invisible hairline cracks in the housing, the result of over tightening the threaded connections.  These cracks made the unit unrepairable.   Acet and Oxy regs manufactured by National Welding Equipment were no longer repairable due to lack of replacement parts.  The Airco cutting torch with a magnesium alloy head was repairable, cost me $75 for LWS service. It came back to me shrink-wrapped onto a cardboard with a repair tag and a new cutting tip.  Similar NEW torches are list priced > $300.  I was ecstatic!  - MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:That is good advice but our LWS have no local experts, they send everything out for repair.  I have no doubt these would need rebuilding and honestly I have no use for them.  I have at least a dozen torches and do my best to not use any of them, especially not the hand held ones.  Just trying to help the guy out and give him a fair price, otherwise I am sure he will sell them at a pawn shop for less than half what they might be worth.
Reply:Does he have the tanks?  You're saying that the hoses don't leak, how do you know that?If tanks are included, it woud depend on size and pressure testing dates.  If no tanks, I'd probably give him $150 and call it a day.  Tell him you're gonna try it out before you I've home the money.  If anything is faulty, then reduce price accordingly.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The tanks may be worth more than the rest, depending on size.  You can get a brand-new Victor Performer kit for just over $200."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:He had some tanks. The act was a little "plumbers' tank and had to have an adapter to hook it up.  Was not interested in it.  The O2 was a full size (largest) one.  I got it from him the other day.  He had hooked them up and used the torch to melt some lead so they worked to some extent and he said there were no leaks.  Anyway, I told him today I had no idea on a price and he said he would take them to a local pawn shop.  Told him I would at least try to match what they offered.  He said he was not going to unload it but once......... oh, well.  I didn't need it anyway.  Thanks for the replies guys.