what size/how to buy cutting tips?

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Bare with my new person questions - I got a Victor CA270 cutting torch and want to buy cutting tips compatible with propane. 1.  How do I know which tips work with this torch?  Size "3" is mentioned in the kit and elsewhere - but buying seems more convoluted than that.2. Is the negative point of having tips for cutting thick metal the use of more fuel and maybe a "larger" cut?  Logic might suggest just get the largest tip size possible and you're ready for anything, but I'm sure there's a down side to that?For mostly automotive purposes I would want some small tips for bolts, sheet metal, exhaust - all less than 1/2" stuff.
Reply:A quick google found the ca270 uses series 3 tips.Here's a link to cyberweld's series 3 tips, type GPN.  The "type GPN" is how they specify they are propane/natural gas tips.http://store.cyberweld.com/vicutip3sepg.htmlFrom the table, find the metal thickness you intend to cut, then buy that tip.You *can* cut thinner material with a larger tip, but you'll get a smaller kerf and better results with a tip matched to your material.Most of the larger victor kits come with only a 1-1-101 tip.  This is a tip for acetylene and 3/4" material!!!!  I've cut plenty of 3/16" and 1/4" with this tip.  I buy the proper tips for my personal equipment.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Great thanks.  I just bought one, a size 0 since i'll be doing mostly thin stuff - automotive.  Once I get to my in-laws again I'll visit the welding supply store close to their house and have them help me and get a variety of sizes. How often will I be buying tips if I use this torch once a month for an hour or less?  I know you can't promise anything but generally speaking will a tip last a couple month or couple years?What do they do when they need replaced?Last edited by grossgary; 04-09-2012 at 04:41 PM.
Reply:Tips last quite a while as long as you don't get them full of crud. Get a tip cleaner and learn how to use it properly.Irish fixit here did some great youtube videos on cutting, cleaning tips and set up. Lots of good info through out the thread so be sure to look at all of it.www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=63275Keep in mind if you are using acetylene as your cutting gas, that there are limits as to how big you can go with tip sizes before you are above the suggested withdrawl rates for average "hobby" sized acetylene cylinders. With 40 cf "B" size cylinders and smaller you can barely get by with the smallest tip size. A 75 cf cylinder will let you go one or two sizes larger before you hit the withdrawl rate..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I don't cut 8 hours a day 7 days a week.  Tips for me last years.Use the tip cleaner to dig crud out of the holes, but be careful not to enlarge the holes.  Yeah it'll probably still cut, but it won't be exactly the same sized tip.  Be especially careful with the center hole.  This is where the oxygen jet comes out when you hit the lever.  If this has a burr and the oxygen jet is crooked, flared or swirly, your cut will be bad.Also the tips are soft copper, don't throw the torch down on anything.  The tips are fairly easy to ding.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE