Torch Repair

admin

Has anyone ever repaired their own torch. I am tired of buying new torches and would like to start to rebuild them in house. I would like to find a site on the net where i can buy parts for our torches. I have both smiths and victors. ThanksAaron
Reply:There is not much to repairing a torch.  Just a few seals and orings, occasionally a valve or two to replace.Any LWS can provide replacement parts.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by Ag SpecialtiesHas anyone ever repaired their own torch. I am tired of buying new torches and would like to start to rebuild them in house. I would like to find a site on the net where i can buy parts for our torches. I have both smiths and victors. ThanksAaron
Reply:That is the problem there is no one around here that repair torches. I have a couple and i have a couple of customers that want me to do some repair on theirs.
Reply:Normally the seat surfaces need cutting, if you dont have the proper reseating tools you would be wasting your time and it is not a simple matter of swapping out o'rings etc. you have to know what you are doing, there are test procedures etc, leave it to someone that knows how, you must be able to find  someone that can repair them for you.Cheers
Reply:I see no reason why you can't replace o-rings and valves because that about all there is to them. As  for reseating, yes, I'd send them out for that.                MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:It's not rocket science, as said "No leaks, and No oils or greases....anywhere! " that also means cleaning the torch that my be covered in oil etc from just having sat around.One thing to considder.... When things go wrong they go wrong FAST and the person using the torch is holding on to the part that most likely will go. Take it from some one who has been there when something went wrong with O2. I would NOT do work on a customers torches unless 1) you have the training and the paper work to prove it. 2) your liability insurance WILL cover it!I am trained by several dive equipment mfgs to service regulators and such. I am also trained to service these things for 100% high pressure oxygen. Even with the training, I would NEVER work on someone else's equipment on my own due to the HUGE liability that I would take on in the event something would god forbid happen. When I work for a shop, the shops liability covers me in the event something goes wrong. It doesn't even have to be my fault, bad oring for the mfg, cust does something stupid ( I have see this dozens of times), with the liability coverage I am protected. I did what was required, dotted the I's cross the T's and jumped thru the hoops they wanted.Just keep this in mind ahead of time. Good luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWIt's not rocket science, as said "No leaks, and No oils or greases....anywhere! " that also means cleaning the torch that my be covered in oil etc from just having sat around.One thing to considder.... When things go wrong they go wrong FAST and the person using the torch is holding on to the part that most likely will go. Take it from some one who has been there when something went wrong with O2. I would NOT do work on a customers torches unless 1) you have the training and the paper work to prove it. 2) your liability insurance WILL cover it!I am trained by several dive equipment mfgs to service regulators and such. I am also trained to service these things for 100% high pressure oxygen. Even with the training, I would NEVER work on someone else's equipment on my own due to the HUGE liability that I would take on in the event something would god forbid happen. When I work for a shop, the shops liability covers me in the event something goes wrong. It doesn't even have to be my fault, bad oring for the mfg, cust does something stupid ( I have see this dozens of times), with the liability coverage I am protected. I did what was required, dotted the I's cross the T's and jumped thru the hoops they wanted.Just keep this in mind ahead of time. Good luck.
Reply:It may not be rocket science but a little knowledge can be a very dangerous thing!A person must have appropriate training and the required skills to service gas equipment. If someone repairs a piece of equipment and something should happen.....well I would not like to be in there shoes!!!! Most flashback blowouts will occur between the torch and about a 600mm along the hoses, which is at the operators end.Cheers
Reply:Originally Posted by makoman1860All good points! I make up fixtures and tooling to repair all of mine. I pressure test all the soldered or brazed connections. Ultrasonicly clean everything. Rinse in de-ionized water and oven dry. No compressed air used as it may contain lubricating oil from the compressor.  I have had to make many special seat reamers and other tools. The lubes I use are special from Dow, made especially for oxygen service. Actually most of my techniques come from 2 manuals that I have from the 1940's on torch repair, one by the Navy and one by Union Carbide. Just a simple cleaning is easy enough, but a complete overhaul can get involved. Where are you located? -Aaron
Reply:Not sure about Smith, but every LWS shop I've been in in my neck of the woods, always has Victor replacement parts... Then again, because I own now two Victor set ups, my eye has always caught Victor brand products.  I haven't paid attention if Smith or even Harris parts are plentiful.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 Ag SpecialtiesHas anyone ever repaired their own torch. I am tired of buying new torches and would like to start to rebuild them in house. I would like to find a site on the net where i can buy parts for our torches. I have both smiths and victors. ThanksAaron
Reply:Here is a link for torch and regulator repairs.   www.regulatortorchrepair.com
Reply:Aaron , i see you are in Nebraska there is a good guy in Kansas City KS.that repairs em for a fair price and is very good if you are interested give him a call . it 's Curt at KC WELDING REPAIR  913-321-5928  good luck Chris .
Reply:Originally Posted by leightrepairsHere is a link for torch and regulator repairs.   www.regulatortorchrepair.com
Reply:Originally Posted by AMC724Jim over at regulatortorchrepair.com is a top notch guy....I highly recommend he sells rebuild kits and does repairsCheck it outUmmm-Aaron (way to many guys names Aaron)