Cracked torch body

admin

Who is the acetelene torch repair guru?Apparently one of the guys on our field crew was in a tight, compromising position trying to make a cut at a height(I don't know how high) and dropped the Victor cutting torch from ahigh.Now the torch body is cracked right below the threaded end where the cutting head goes.I was thinking that it just needed to have the flashback arresters and valve handles removed and the body be replaced but thought I would run it through you guys just in case there is a possibility it could be fixed.I am tired of looking at this thing every time I walk by the bosses desk.
Reply:I'm no torch repair guru but I'd replace it and let the boss have his paper weight.....lots cheaper than having to put someone in the ground.
Reply:Should be able to do just you stated.
Reply:It can be repaired with a replacement body. Most LWS's will do that for you.
Reply:I agree, replace the damaged part, they are NOT that much money. A new Victor head unit is only $100- 200, depending on where you shop. Suppose if someone were to lose a limb from the crack growing and then the unit exploding that is a big $ suit. On top of that, facial damage is even a bigger $ suit...into the tens of millions of dollars. Working with damaged tools is asking for trouble.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Agreed. Torch handle is to be replaced.Come to find out today, I was originally misinformed. The torch was laying on the ground when the boneheads rolled a large structural beam over on to it.  Nice try.
Reply:It can be repaired, but will cost as much as a new one.  Labor is the big cost.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:The Victor is really easy to work on. Just buy the part and do it your self.
Reply:It was just as simple as that, Oldtimer. The end that cracked is just threaded on with what appear to be pipe threads. Its like a coupler for the body to cutting attatchment/welding tip/rosebud. Awaiting new part from LWS.  Sorry but the piece I really wanted to get a picture of must have got sent with the LWS salesman(airgas).Last edited by Mark...; 08-02-2008 at 06:14 AM.
Reply:Just about every part on a Victor can be replaced. The ower of my LWS ( he's deceased and his son runs it now) repaired all kinds of A/O equipment. He used to badmouth Victor, said it was put together like a bunch of plumbing parts. I think he prefered to sell a complete cutting head or mixing barrel rather than just a part.
Reply:You just might be right about that, but Frank and David don't have a problem with it.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Maybe that is what happened with the acetylene regulator I had rebuilt. Trying to sell me a new one. I'm just going to get the parts and do it myself.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.