Torch Outfits, any opinions???

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Guys, I am going to have to buy another torch in the next couple of days and was wanting your opinions.  I have always used the older air products torches, but you can't buy them anymore.   I have never cared for a "Smith", so i am thinking of a Victor.  Here is where my question comes in.  I can buy a Copy for about half of what the name brand Victor outfit runs.  Has anyone used any of the copies before, and what are your thoughts?  The set I am looking at is a Radnor set, which is an airgas product name.   I would rather spend the extra for a product that will hold up, but a couple hundred bucks will buy a good bit of other supplies I need.  Just curious as to your experiences and thoughts.  Thanks in advance.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I've used Harris torches a bit and ended up with a clone torch handle.  It's decent and workable, but the quality just isn't as good as the original Harris part.  If you know what you're doing, you can get decent torches off of ebay relatively cheaply.-Heath
Reply:My "standard" torch is an Airco, cut only torch. I have bought many: angle heads, straight, short, long, etc. ALL on eBay. The price is fair, new Concoa (spelling) torches run about $200.00. Check out what is out there, watch out for some inflated shipping costs, I have had great luck.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:I have the baseline victor outfit.  I think I paid about $160.  Works great.  I have always been kinda worried about getting a $50 outfit.  When I was in highschool we had a torch mixing chamber blow up on a kid.  It didnt seriously hurt him, but it could have.  It was a cheapie, but I am not sure if it was user error or product defect.  I just figure that my O/A outfit is the most dangerous thing I have in the shop and why make it more dangerous.  I am not suggesting that you buy an expensive torch just to be safe, though, because price does not necessarily equal safety.  I would also like to know other's opinions on inexpensive e-bay torches...problems...likes...dislikes...and compatibility.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Well, I went ahead and bought the Radnor brand sold by airgas this morning.  I looked at the torch compared to the Victor and honestly i just did not see the price difference considering that it is a "radnor by Victor".  So Victor made the actual torch for airgas to sell under there own brand name.   I know that there are some Really cheap copies, and I would never even think about them, but I picked up the Heavy duty Radnor outfit for about $250 compared to over $400 for the original Victor.  According to Airgas the only real difference is that the cutting head tubes are chrome plated rather than Victor using Stainless in their name brand products.  I will let you guys know in a few weeks how she holds up.  thanks for your opinions.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I bought a Radnor medium duty torch set a few months ago.  It has serve me well. No problems at all.
Reply:Hammack, if the stainless vs chrome tubes bothers you, maybe parts will interchange?
Reply:Howdy! out of curiosity, what were the reasons for not liking the Smith outfits?  Brian Lee  Sparkeee24
Reply:Sparkeee24, Mainly I just don't like the smith style tips.  Every smith I ever owned, and I have had several, I Just couldn't keep a tip in them any length of time.  It seems that I have to change tips out every couple of weeks.  Granted with the guys that work for me and even myself a torch has a hard life.  It cuts in grease, hyraulic oil, or paint, it gets dropped in the dirt, mainly all the things you should not do with one, but even considering that I still can get several months from my air products or victors.  Another thing is that with the oxygen adjustment knob on the front of the torch rather than the side I am constantly touching it with my hand and having to reset.  Also I have done alot of cutting before (Cutting parts from 1.5" plate) and gotten a smith hot enough for that solder sealing surface that they have on the tips to start leaking and then either the torch goes to popping like crazy, or the flame seams to suck back in the tip and it starts glowing which will make you mess in your pants trying to get the bottles turned off.  I have never had anything like that with the Victors or air products before.  I know some people love smiths, and never have any problems.  I guess it is one of those ford/chevy type of things, ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......