Help purchasing Oxy/Propane Torches

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I need advice on what specific equipment to purchase keeping a budget in mind.A few questions I have:1. Currently, I plan on using torches to heat my bikes exhaust bolts so I can remove them without snapping them off. I've been reading posts here and it looks like most are recommending the use of Oxy and propane. The local AirGas company also are saying the same thing. I think this is the route I'm going. However, AirGas is recommending I buy a propane regulator versus an acetylene reg. I don't want to limit my future options by getting a propane reg when I cannot use acetylene with it. What do you all think?2. What torches should I get? Smith, Harris/Victor or the knock off Harris/Victor type torches? The Good wife gave me a gift certificate to Home depot that will cover the cost of their torch kit without the tanks. I know I need a grade T hose and their hoses in the kit are grade R. Along with the quality of their torches, I think I need to buy my torch setup piece by piece. Or is the Lincoln torches good?I plan on buying my Oxy tank from air gas and am thinking of the 80 cf size. Do you think this would be big enough considering the ratio of Oxy to propane usage is 4 to 1? I currently have a 20 lbs propane tank and can get more 20lb ones if needed for backups.3. AirGas is recommending I buy their Radnor regs and torches. I've read here that they are not good quality torches. Anyone want talk me out of buying that brand?I know there are many questions here but I'm a little OCD about what I get for equipment and really do value the recommendations from people who have been there and done that.Thanks for your help!
Reply:1. If just "heating bolts", what's wrong with a simple Burnz-O-Matic propane torch? Way cheaper than a welding/cutting setup. Don't even need a regulator. "Most" acetylene regulators will do propane but you need to lookup and check the maker's part lists for both versions to id any differences and determine whether those differences may cause incompatibility for your gas sources. I have a Smith "acetylene" regulator, which handles both.2. See my answer to your first question3. See my answer to your second questionHTHXMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:I would get a harris Acetylene and buy propane tip. Harris or Harris knock offs are the most readly avable Torch Around . I got a Harris torch new In 1984 It has been rebuilt 3 times use it almost daily. I can get tips and stuff for it on sunday. Bottle size is up to how much you use it.
Reply:look at cyberweld.com i bought my vic. set there
Reply:You don't need OP for your EXPRESSED intended use, but if you want to braze and cut then an outfit would be useful.A torch set is an answer to the questions "what do you want to cut/heat/weld?" and "how MUCH do you want to do those things?".I favor the Smith Equipment MB55A-510. it's the acetylene CGA 510 version. It's LP compatible so buy an LP cutting tip. (Cutting tips are fine for heating hardware.)Throw the included goggles in the trash and buy a tinted faceshield instead. It should last a lifetime of moderate use. A bit over two bills online. The Lincoln thing at Home Depot looks to go about 169 before tax, and for the difference (no tax online) I'd get the Smith. The Smith survives welding student abuse and is Made In USA. The regs are used on much larger torches so if you ever need to get a larger cutting torch you are covered.
Reply:Thanks for the recommendations thus far. The Smith MB55a is looking good. I'm just finding out if the hose is T rated.This one doesn't look bad either. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smith-Cuttin...#ht_1092wt_922
Reply:The brand I would buy would be whatever brand of tips and such your LWS has on hand.Smith, Esab (Oxweld & Purox), Harris and Victor are good brands. Smith and Esab (Oxweld & Purox), are made in USA and carry a lifetime warranty on torches. Esab (Oxweld & Purox) are lifetime warranty on regulators also. My first choice would be Smith and then Oxweld.1. I agree on getting an acetylene regulator to be used for both.2. Part 1 - see above    Part 2 - I would go with the largest oxy cylinder you can. I have the "K" and "T" size cyl's and I run out of oxy's well before the 20# LP.3. Don't know much about the Radnor torches so see above."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:If you're not getting into any fabrication, I second the advice on just getting a little air-propane torch like the Bernz-o-matics.  However, it sounds like you've actually spent the time to identify the different issues and think about them, so I must assume that you do actually want a heating/cutting setup vs a small air-propane torch.I've standardized on Smith torches and Victor 450-series regulators, although I do also own some Victor torches.  I like Smith's lifetime warranty, I like that they're made in the USA, and I like their 3-tube cutting head design that mixes the gases in the head and not before.  You don't need to worry about rounding up extra propane bottles - the one you have will last through quite a few oxygen tanks, especially the small ones.You didn't mention it, but if you choose a torch without built-in flashback arrestors such as a Smith, you need to buy a pair and add them to your torch.  Something like a set of Victor FB-1's will do.  Don't buy the cheap Chinese copies - you need them to work and not choke your torch down too much.As far as tank size, if 80 cf is the largest customer-owned cylinder Airgas will exchange, then go with that if you want to own your tank.  A yearly lease on a tank will probably run you $55-$90/year depending on where you live, but that would allow you to have a full-size oxygen tank like a 282 cf, which is what I use.  Gases are cheaper per cubic foot when bought in larger volumes.  You can price refills of different-sized tanks and then do the math yourself.  If you're only going to use the torch once in a blue moon, it's going to be cheaper to own your tank unless you have to drive 100 miles to get it exchanged.My experience with Radnor brands is mixed.  It's Airgas's house brand and therefore may not be the same manufacturer from year to year.  If you want something to own for decades, buy a name brand.I have bought that exact torch set from the ebay seller you referenced above - it was a good transaction and I have recommended him to others.  He has those up every month or two.  The MC509/WH100 is my personal favorite Smith combination torch.  This one is an excellent buy, and you need to get it before somebody else does if this is what you're looking for.  I almost bought it a couple of days ago, but don't really have a use for yet another one (I have 2 or 3).  Then find a hose and some regulators and you're in business.By the way, thanks for taking the time to do your research before posting.  It's quite refreshing.
Reply:Originally Posted by TasBiker1. Currently, I plan on using torches to heat my bikes exhaust bolts so I can remove them without snapping them off. I've been reading posts here and it looks like most are recommending the use of Oxy and propane. The local AirGas company also are saying the same thing. I think this is the route I'm going. However, AirGas is recommending I buy a propane regulator versus an acetylene reg. I don't want to limit my future options by getting a propane reg when I cannot use acetylene with it. What do you all think?
Reply:The brand I would buy would be whatever brand of tips and such your LWS has on hand.
Reply:I read there are too many models of smith, Harris, and victor and I just don't know which is for me. The well educate ones here throw out model numbers like i would know what that is. It's all Greek to me at this time in my learning curve. It seems like the differences are between low, medium, and heavy duty. I'd like to get medium duty and even that may be more than enough for me at the moment. I just don't want to under estimate and grow out of what I get the first time.I know I'll figure it out but I just want to get a torch that has enough options were I will not be limited to buying tips and being able to have it reconditioned when the time comes.I appreciated the advice everyone is offering.
Reply:IMHO - The Harris injector-style mixer has distinct advantages over other oxy-propane torches.Harris seems to know why:http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/a...l-Torches.htmlHarris, the original oxy-fuel manufacturer, builds excellent equipment. You couldn't go wrong choosing Harris.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 12-30-2011 at 11:10 AM.
Reply:If you plan on just heating up bolts, then I would recommend a MAP gas torch. MAP gas burns hotter than propane at around 5300 degrees F. You can also braze with it and it heats up metal way faster than propane.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepIMHO - The Harris injector-style mixer has distinct advantages over other oxy-propane torches.Harris seems to know why:http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/a...l-Torches.htmlHarris, the original oxy-fuel manufacturer, builds excellent equipment. You couldn't go wrong choosing Harris.Good Luck
Reply:Well, I went and bought a torch from Tbone. Smith LIFETIME WH200A handle / LIFETIME SC209 cutting attachment with 3 propane tips. A SC40-0, SC40-1 and a SC50 propane tip. I think these are the correct item specs. Now I'm off to get a 1/4" T grade hose. Next purchases will be o/a regs and O2 tank. I already have an extra 20lb propane tank.I appreciate everyones recommendations. I'm really finding everyone here to be knowledgeable and very helpful.Thanks all.