Oxy acetylene rig recommendation

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I took an oxy acetylene course and am now ready to buy a setup.  There are alot of choices to get the basic regulators, torch handle, and cutting attachment.  I'd like your suggestions.  I will be doing fabs and mods for farm implements but on a hobby farm basis.  I will be mostly cutting 3/8 plate and holes, bending stock, preheating etc. the usual, but probably welding with a stick welder (e.g. no gas welding)Basic choices seem to be in order of expense:   1) A "Victor-compatible" set from Tractor Supply, etc. for $50 - $100   2) Piecing together genuine used or new Victor pieces like a 315FC handle and CA 2460 cutting attachment, or a 100FC handle and a CA1350 cutting attachment, etc.   3) A genuine Victor set which appears to run about $250-$290.My concerns:I do not want to get a handle which is undersized or oversized or is hard to get replacement parts for, or incompatible with other things like getting a butane cutting tip, e.g. I want the various tips, etc. to be easy to find.With option 2), there is a bewildering number of models of Victor handles, etc.  If I piece the parts together, I want to make sure they are compatible. Is this simpler than I think ?  In other words are there only a few basic handles to consider (315 or 100) and its easy to tell what goes with them (2460 cutter assembly for 315 torch or 1350 cutter assembly for 100 torch) ?I also understand the safety issues (from my course) and don't want cheap crap that may leak, etc.  On this issue, even though not "Victor", and given I am not a pro but a farm hobby welder, are the "Victor-compatible" sets just junk or just missing the "Victor" name ?Is it simplest just to spring for a genuine Victor set ?Any tips on buying ?  Ebay ?  Some other website ?  Any advice would be appreciated.            Bob
Reply:Often I wish mine was a little lighter, but believe it or not, it helps steady me on those 4 cup of coffee mornings.  Go smith or victor.  Stay away from the knock offs if your  gonna want parts and compatibility. Ive got a victor and love it, also a HF and hate it (its for sale btw).Im biased about victor because thats all we used in the coal mines I worked at and we litterally beat the crap out of em.  One time, they decided to try a lighter brand of victor (superranger I believe it was) and it didnt last 2 weeks.  It was journeyman or nothing.  That being said, for the home hobby guy, a medium duty would probably be just fine.  If all your gonna do is cut stuff with it, then Just pick out one between smith and victor and youll be set.  BTW, smith looks more repairable and its made in the USA where victor is made in ?? mexico I heard.Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:go with victor there a well made tool and should last you years, other brands wil fall apart in a short time, in the long run victor will save you money, plus parts are easy to find for them, from what i read about your needs a super ranger kit would be a good investment for you, it comes with everthing but the bottles, and a rose bud, Rosebud only needed if you plan or need to super heat big areas of steel parts. also if you think you will need to use a rose bud, be sure and get large tanks as a rose bud uses alot of oxy.
Reply:Good case for having your location listed in your profile.  Interested in a used set with MANY tips and big tanks?
Reply:Hey MAC, what do you have?  I live in So Cal and will probably be in the vegas area soon.  Of couse that is if Bob is not interested.  You can PM me with the details.
Reply:250 CF Oxygen (or 125 CF if you prefer) and 145 CF acetylene, heavy duty cart, Victor Journeyman with more cutting and gouging tips than I care to go out and count right now, about a half-dozen welding tips and two rosebuds (6 and 8).  Got a friend here interested also.  PM me if interested.
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702250 CF Oxygen (or 125 CF if you prefer) and 145 CF acetylene, heavy duty cart, Victor Journeyman with more cutting and gouging tips than I care to go out and count right now, about a half-dozen welding tips and two rosebuds (6 and 8).  Got a friend here interested also.  PM me if interested.