Newbie / first cutting torch

admin

Hey guys,  i just ordered (& recieved) my new victor cutskill heavy duty 350 outfit...i ordered it because i blow glass and needed some new regulators and the ones they sell through glass stores are cheap, buddy told me to get victor (he said firepower) ones.....price was only 50 bucks more for the outfit.so- after doing a little research of course after it arrived.... I am reading that the cutskill is made in china and it seems people advocate against it and say go with SMITH.that said I'm familiar with gas mixing (from glass blowing) but in the world of metal working, i'm a complex novice; a hobbiest at most. Did i mess up by getting this outfit? is there anything i should be extra aware of or cautious of? haha, thanks!
Reply:Some Victor stuff is made in their Mexico plant.  You can call Victor customer service and ask where they are made.  But give them the individual part numbers (torch, handle, regulators), not just the part number for the entire kit."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:Even the import made Victor stuff is usually much better than the no name imports. A big part of all of this is quality control and big name companies like Victor usually do a decent job double checking that basic standards are adhered to. I've sen a lot of import Victor clones ( not the real Victor imports, the knock offs like they sell at HF) that you buy 3 torch kits and one will take standard Victor parts, but the other two won't. The tolerances are out just enough on those even though they were all bought at the same time.You also need to keep in mind that they sell various grades for a reason. The guy who uses his OA rig 8-12 hours a day doing demo work or cutting scrap needs a better quality unit than the average small shop or home hobby guy. Going with lighter duty materials, single stage vs 2 stage and so on as well as manufacturing the units in places where materials and labor is cheaper, is just the way to get units priced to match the markets need..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks guys, i just got worried that i had bought junk that wasn't worth it for a hobby guy. You reassured me I made the right decision for my desired use.
Reply:Just yesterday I called Victor to ask where the 100FC handle and the CA1350 cutting attachment were currently made.  It only took a minute.  No hemming, hawing or nonsense.  If you have a problem, call customer service."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