Oxy Acetyline Cutting/welding setup?

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I have used oxy before, but never owned one. I was considering investing on one to maybe do some exhaust work, and to weld thinner metals that my wire feed cannot handle. (I like keeping it on fluxcore)How much should I expect to pay for a beginner torch to weld, and for cutting? They are completely different torches right?I have seen those little tanks, and the bigger ones. I have no clue how long each lasts. I am getting sick of cutting everything, especially thicker 1/4" with an angle grinder. What is the price range I can expect to pay for a cutting torch, and a welding torch, with regulators and tanks.  Also the difference in price with renting tanks vs buying them.Any info is appreciated. Its just an idea right now.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:A nice  Victor Super Range ll torch set would run you say $270. It has the combo type torch so you can put on a cutting tip or a welding tip. I don't know what size the tip is that comes with the set but you will most likely need to grab another one for thin stuff.You can pick up cheap victor nockof kits for less. some will and some won't use victor tips so keep that in mind if you get one of these. You may be limited to only what it comes with. Not what I would do but its there if you want.You can get a dedicated cutting torch as opposed to the combo type. I used the combo type for years until we had a job that required a alot of cutting then I got a dedicated victor cutting torch. My combo now has the rosebud tip on it full time for heating and I have a 2nd set up just for cutting.Tanks I'll have to look. I got a flyer from the LWS last week and if I can find it it listed what the tanks cost new /filled.If you cut alot you will go thru a alot of O2. If you heat alot you will go thru acet. faster say with the rosebud tip. Mine are a 75cf acet / 92-100 cf o2 bottle and that has seemed ok for most stuff I do. I could get away with smaler bottles most of the time, but if I get a semi decent sized job I figure on getting at least 1 fill on both. I haven't welded oxy-acet for years. Its  good practice for learning tig. I occasionally braze or solder with mine but not all that often. I have specific torches for that.Hope this helps.
Reply:Ok found the flyer. My LWS wants $75 for a size B acet tank and  $129 for a 75 cf acet tank. For O2 $117 for a 60 cf o2 and $151 for an 80cf O2. Thats they only sizes they show, and your prices my be quite different.
Reply:Ok, so roughly $200 if I buy the tanks, but what about HF Torches? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3395How long would those last?I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:I started out with a setup from HF. They are Victor knockoffs and really are pretty decent, the only mods were a set of good o-rings the the connection point and a good set of hoses. I now have Smith equipment and love every bit of it. Keep an eye on Craigslist, I find most of my toys there, you just need to be patient.   Oh I sold the HF torch set to my buddy and he uses them a bit with no issues.
Reply:If I was going to get a setup like that I'd spend the extra $50 and get a victor setup like the one listed here.http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/par...product_id=855Here's some othe other options.http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/par...y_id=34&Sub=91I'm not personally a great fan of harbor freight. Yeah I go in from time to time and get a few things but most of the stuff is just junk in my opinion. Disposable items like clamps for jigs and misc wheels for carts ok, but I wouldn't buy anything like a torch setup. What hapens in a year or two if you want to add or replace the tips?  As I said before some of these units will take std tips some wont. Unfortunately the only time you will find out is after it's to late to do anything about it.
Reply:Originally Posted by redhatmanOk, so roughly $200 if I buy the tanks, but what about HF Torches? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=3395How long would those last?
Reply:Well over a year ago I gave in excess of 250 each for 140 cf oxygen cylinders and 90cf acetylene cylinders. I still carry the 90cf acetylene bottle on my truck but upgraded to 240cf oxygen cylinders at a cost of about 25 each. Costs me 2 bucks more per fill over the 140s. Gases are sold by volume so the bigger the bottle the lower the cost. Gentec torches are a Victor product, made in China though. They are identical to my '68 Victor and cut just like it. Same for my Uniweld though it cost more than the Gentec. I got my Harris at Lowes for 259 bucks (I got it for the regulators). It's a good torch though I prefer my Victor for cutting. I would recommend the large torch over the small one. I have used both and the large one is superior especially for cutting. Steadier because of the length and weight and you don't burn up near as many gloves. I have a Smith and think it would be comparable to the Victor based on feel. I have never used it due to tips being unavailable here and a shortage of bottles and more torches than regulators.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Ok, Total newbie question.  80cf, size b, big tanks, small tanks?  How do you tell?  My friend gave me an oxy tank that was roughly 5 feet tall, an acet that is 3 1/2 feet tall, and an argon c02 that's the same size.  Where do I see it?  How do I tell?
Reply:I found my full size tanks on Craigs List for $25 ea. I called, he said he still had them, I told him I was on my way now. The O2 tank was empty, when I took it in to exchange it needed to be re-certed. I don't think they charged me for the re-cert (usually do ~$35) on the new tank. Watch for rental tanks... I called my local LWS and he explained how to tell. 1. is the PSI on the tank, my numbers may be off but I think a owner tank is ~2200PSI and rental tanks are much higher, I think he said ~2700PSI for the rental, 2. the rentals usually have a stamp from the renter.I bought a new Victor set on e-bay for $160. You can find used ones on craigs list. I did a daily search on craigs list for "welding", on e-bay search for "Victor torch".Some examples:http://phoenix.craigslist.org/tls/712383377.htmlhttp://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Victor-CA246...QQcmdZViewItemThis is the set I boughthttp://cgi.ebay.com/Victor-Cutskill-...QQcmdZViewItem
Reply:chinesebob The tanks are not marked as to the size. I would guess that you have a 282cf O2 bottle. It may be a rental. the size sounds a bit tall for a 125 cf or a 150cf tank.The acet may be a 90cfThe argon/Co2 is either an 89cf or 100cf tank.Here are some approximate dimensions on the average tanks. Each mfgs tanks are a bit different.common_cylinder_sizes.pdfhope this helps, good luck.
Reply:the kits that are mentioned above  are a good value and a good start but none comes with an adequate assortment of welding tips. note it will say "  capacity to weld 3/32 " metal, up to 1-1/4 inch with optional tips". you;ll need a few in between, amd a rosebud would be nice too..
Reply:One thing I would mention is - don't expect your LWS to give you 100% correct information on what to buy.  He is going to sell you as much as he can.I had an old purox torch setup and really needed just the welding/brazing attachment.  He sold me another torch setup and said I would find more compatible parts for this one because purox wasn't made anymore.  That's because Purox is ESAB now and they are still made compatible.Now I have a Taiwanese knock - off torch, my purox, and my wife got me a harris medium duty setup for father's day.  I won't be buying any more parts from that LWS.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWchinesebob The tanks are not marked as to the size. I would guess that you have a 282cf O2 bottle. It may be a rental. the size sounds a bit tall for a 125 cf or a 150cf tank.The acet may be a 90cfThe argon/Co2 is either an 89cf or 100cf tank.Here are some approximate dimensions on the average tanks. Each mfgs tanks are a bit different.common_cylinder_sizes.pdfhope this helps, good luck.