Used oxy torch set ?'s

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Hi all, I found an oxy torch set on cl for $350. It has a 160 cf oxy tank and what looks like the 80 cf size ace tank. I called and he said the torch was an older "meko"(sp?) with about 40' of good year hoses. Can't remember what brand of gauges, just remember it wasn't Lincoln or Harris. Also includes bottle cart. He has offered to demo it and give a lesson with the torch.Not knowing anymore than what I've read here I'm a little uneasy buying used, but if it works like advertised seems like a good deal. Yes/no? My wants are a torch to cut sheet metal thru 1/2" regularly and weld sheet metal to maybe 1/8". I haven't seen any used bottles so my thinking is I at least break even if I can't use the rest of it for what I want.Again, I'm a little uneasy buying used not having any experience, but I can't swing a whole new set up buying bottles too. Any advice or opinions greatly appreciated.Tom
Reply:Tom, this sounds like a good deal.  Seeing he will give you a test run, I see nothing wrong.  The tanks are worth that!  Good luck,  Best Bob
Reply:Just some info:ATL Welding Supply stocks a variety of Meco style cutting torch tips that work with the old Meco Cutmaster straight torches & Meco Weldmaster combination torches.  The original Meco company has been out of business for many years but there a still quite a few people out there still using Meco equipment.  As for the Meco Midget & Avaitor Jet cutting tips, they are extremely scarce & we do not have nor do we have access to them.The MECO Midget is still produced by Victor (who bought MECO)."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:1. I don't think that is a good deal. I may have gotten lucky, but I got my set of ESAB/Purox torches off of Craig's List for $175, including tanks, cutting head, and heating heads.  I really do think you can do better.2. Be careful buying used tanks. If they are leased or stolen, and marked on the neck ring, you may not find a supply house to refill them. See below[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndGB-Ww47M4[/ame]http://cholla.mmto.org/welding/bottles.htmlhttp://reviews.ebay.com/BUYING-A-GAS...00000001275737Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:I followed the advice in the video and my local LWS (Airgas) accepted the 125 cu ft O2 bottle I bought off of CL without a hassle. This was despite the fact that in CT, customer owned bottles are generally restricted to 80 cu ft or less. its not a law or anything, but generally no LWS here will sell you a bottle larger than 80 cu ft.On the acetylene,they were much more laid back. Could care less whose name was stamped on the tank or even if it was rusted and pitted (which it was). They swapped it with no sweat. he even passed a comment like "Craigslist huh? probably stolen..." Still didn't slow him down at all. I am not sure if that is the case everywhere.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Sorry I had to abandon my thread yesterday.  We had a death in the family and just couldn't concentrate on,much. Thanks for the input. As of last night he still had the set and if I can get away I'll drive up tonight or tomorrow to look at it. I called Airgas and they said new that was $600 worth of bottles, so I hope these are legit. I'll keep you posted.
Reply:Very sorry about the loss in your family.  If you want to do some searching on this site, there's some threads about how to identify owner cylinders from stolen.  Also, a call to your local (or the seller's local) welding supply ought to be able to clear up any issues.  A much better option: If the seller is willing to demonstrate, maybe he'd be willing to take them to the LWS with you on the condition that you will pay him if they will exchange without an issue.  I think that's a pretty good price depending on the condition of the regulators, hoses, torch and any tips, and assuming the cylinders are legit.Btw, an 80 CF acetylene bottle is just barely going to do 1/8" welding.  The flow rates required for tips are getting on the edge of the 1/7 withdrawal rate, and apparently the newer guidance is 1/15 which means you would not be able to weld 1/8".  I use the 1/7 rule, and was taught that, but I start and adjust my torches by the "add acetylene just till the smoke almost disappears" method.  The literature I have seen on my Smith torches says the fuel consumption rating is the AVERAGE for the stop smoking method.  Other folks set their torches where they go to flame tip separation, back off till the flame reattaches, and then add oxygen.  That is at the higher end of the withdrawal rate and, to my mind, works fine if you are on a manifold system.  Those of us with smaller set ups and limited withdrawal rates need to be a bit more precise IMHO.Check the hose closely for cracks, leaks, etc. and generally observe the set up and the guy's nitpickyness.  Does he purge before he lights the torch?  Leak check the connections, too, while you're at it.  Please make sure he has his bottles secured and upright.  If not, that's a sign to me of someone who takes a less than professional care of his stuff.Hope that helps some.  Good luck and again, very sorry for your loss.
Reply:Thanks Rodj. What would be a good size for an ace bottle? All the setups I've seen the ace was about half of the ox. Is 1/8" a lot to ask from from oxy fuel? I was just thinking that could fill the gap to my stick welder until I could get a mig. Either way looks like my torch has to wait. My job for next week cancelled and I need to hold my cash till I have more work.  Kinda disappointed, I just bought 5 sheets of 3/16" 4x8's and have no way to cut them up. If your wondering why I put the cart before the horse, the sheets were a cl find at $25 a piece, couldn't pass that up.
Reply:All I have is a 75 cf acetylene cylinder, and it will do 1/8".  I have AW and MW Smith torches and the tips for 1/8" thickness welding range are 6 cfh flow rates setting the torches the way I described.  So it will work.However, I am not set up for it, but if long term what you really want an oxy fuel rig for is to cut, you could go with oxy-propane and the Smith MW torches. You just need a propane cutting tip to run oxy-propane.  You couldn't weld with it, but you'd have a good way to heat, bend, and braze (using MW400 series tips).  Plus you'd save money on not having to buy an acetylene cylinder and you probably have a propane cylinder.  You'd be $150 closer to your mig.I've never rented but if you just need to cut up those plates, renting a torch rig might be and optoin.  Or hire someone to cut them up.
Reply:I've never rented but if you just need to cut up those plates, renting a torch rig might be and optoin.  Or hire someone to cut them up.[/QUOTE]That may be the smart way to approach it, but I'm kind of a tool junkie.  Can't stand to give anything up once its in my possesion. One time I bought a $800 paint sprayer for a $1500 paint job. It did pay off later, that thing made me money off a couple other jobs I picked up.
Reply:Keep lurking Craigslist and check the Carolina Trader too.Also, "ask" ain't "get" in this economy so I show up with cash. People hate to let money walk away.I cut with both acetylene and LP, and would get LP first if bucks are tight since you can just grab a BBQ jug and have at it.As to cutting the sheets, if you have an angle grinder that can take a 6" cutting wheel, that makes nice straight cuts though it's loud and tedious. I use Radnor cutting discs (they are cheap and wear acceptably) from Airgas. There are better discs, but they usually cost more.
Reply:What you have described is not a good deal. Try running your own  WTB (Want to Buy) ad on Craigslist...... You will have to cull out all the replies from people who don't know what they are selling. But, you will catch the guy how has to move in a hurry or needs some quick cash to pay a bill.... Be patient and let the deal come to you.Good Luck.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Well, its taken a couple of months of hunting and finding a good deal at the same time I have some extra funds, but I bought my first oxy torch set today. Came with a 160 oxy and 80(?) Ace, cutting head, 2 brazing tips, new 1/4 hose, and tank cart  for $150. At the advice I think hobo gave someone on here, I had him meet my at the lws and we completed the deal after I had a full set of tanks on the truck. Hopefully I don't have to replace the whole regulator, but the torch side gauge on the ace is busted. Now if I can get someone how to properly get everything hooked up I'll be in business. Anyone have any good links on where to get good instructions?
Reply:This video is pretty good:"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:Thanks! The video made more sense to me than some instructions I found online. The written instructions have that the tanks get opened and shut multiple times before torch being lit. And that just didn't make sense to me.
Reply:I thought the video was pretty good.  However, he kind of glossed over opening the acetylene cylinder.  A quarter to 1/2 turn or so is all you want so you can shut it off fast if needed.  Also, NEVER EXCEED 15 PSI on the acetylene.  On the Oxy (and other high-pressure gasses) the reason for opening the valve all the way is that there is a second seat that prevents leakage out the valve stem.Do look up the required pressure and CFH consumption of your particular torch tips.  Do not exceed the 1/7 (some say 1/10) consumption rule."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:Thanks for your help. Picked up a new gauge today. Hopefully I can get home early enough tomorrow to fire it up.
Reply:If you ever go to oxy-propane cutting, Smith has another video.  They show how to adjust the preheat flame, which is a bit different than ox-acet."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:Hopefully I can find someone local to better introduce me to the world of o/a cutting/welding. I did make one small cut, but my flame kept going out. I think I would've felt better practicing with new equipment. Not knowing what I'm doing, I don't know if my equipment is operating properly.A few details of what I did. Oxy 25psi, ace 5 psi. Victor 0-3-101 tip. 3/8 maybe 7/16 angle iron. About a 1/4 turn on the ace knob would give about an 8-10" flame, not nearly as "bushy" as in the above video. Any more and the flame would jump away from tip. Several times as soon as I turned on oxygen the flame went out.If that's enough info, I sure would appreciate some guidance.ThanksTom
Reply:Old tanks have to be checked for supplier and hydro date when buying used no one in NJ will fill other suppliers tanks other than propane and maybe B and MC tanks be carefull with cragslist and flea markets.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanOld tanks have to be checked for supplier and hydro date when buying used no one in NJ will fill other suppliers tanks other than propane and maybe B and MC tanks be carefull with cragslist and flea markets.