Recommended small O/A setup

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I'm looking for an economical and decent quality, small Oxygen/Acetylene setup for minor stuff out in the garage.  I saw some with the various torches and the small (scuba-size) tanks but wanted to ask you experts on your opinions and recommendations.Just need something to use on occasion, not an everyday tool for work - heating metal for bending, cutting, etc.FuelBoy-----------Lincoln SP-135 PlusLincoln Precision TIG 225
Reply:Smith Versa-Torch would be my suggestion. Avoid ANYTHING made in china.
Reply:I believe the smith versa-torch kit comes with the AW1A torch, and while I can't say anything about the regulators or tanks..  the AW1A torch is awesome!!  I was just playing with mine earlier today (just got it the other day), and it is really nice!!  And makoman1860 really knows his torches (look at his photo in the oxy/fuel thread)...Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:Excellent, thanks.  The China comment is the exact reason why I posted this question.  Guess I'll have to knuckle down and buy the good stuff instead of hitting Harbor Freight.Nice pic by the way of those torches!FuelBoy-----------Lincoln SP-135 PlusLincoln Precision TIG 225
Reply:Originally Posted by fuelboyExcellent, thanks.  The China comment is the exact reason why I posted this question.  Guess I'll have to knuckle down and buy the good stuff instead of hitting Harbor Freight.Nice pic by the way of those torches!
Reply:Just watch Craigslist.  There's plenty of O/A gear every week.  I picked up a Harris V-Series with torch, tip, regs, hoses, bottles, cart & accessories for $200.  Set was used for one project.
Reply:If you stick to Victor, Harris, Smith or Esab, you will be ok. Please do not go to HF.  The quality is bad and there are no parts to repair.  If HF regulators go do, they need to be scrapped. Brass is paying real good right now. Try to get a kit with a "B" acetylene. It has about 20 cuft of gas.  It is heavier than a MC cylinder, but you will be happier with it than you would with a "MC" cylinder.  I have set of rebuilt Victor regulator for sell, but I do not have a small combination torch at this time.  Let me know if I can help!OAdoctorwww.regulatortorchrepair.com
Reply:if you are gonna be heating  ===  using significant aceetylene flow as in a rosebud, the small tanks are dangerous..there are flow rates not to be exceeded.
Reply:[QUOTE=OAdoctor;316376 Try to get a kit with a "B" acetylene. It has about 20 cuft of gas.  ![/QUOTE] a 20 cf tank is too small for cutting.the smallest    cutting tip in my smith book uses 6 scfh acet for preheat which is twice or 3x   the safe draw on tthat tank.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeada 20 cf tank is too small for cutting.the smallest    cutting tip in my smith book uses 6 scfh acet for preheat which is twice or 3x   the safe draw on tthat tank.
Reply:I really don't have any one specific use for this other than wanting the set-up on hand if I had to cut or heat to bend something.  Sort of an all-purpose tool.  I wish I had the room for the full-size tanks but don't.There is a good welding supply that I'm going to check out today or tomorrow that sells Victor and Smith set-ups.I appreciate this info. as I had no idea on a required tank draw due to a torch.  If it's not one thing, it's another..So what could happen if you were cutting something and exceeded the tanks draw?FuelBoy-----------Lincoln SP-135 PlusLincoln Precision TIG 225
Reply:You say you don't have room for the "full size" tanks...  If you get those small tanks and do any substantial cutting or heating, you will quickly see the error of your ways.  You'll spend more time running back and forth to the LWS to get your tanks refilled, after you run out of gas right in the middle of something, than you will actually cutting or heating anything.  If I were you... (and I'm not) I'd find the room for the bigger tanks. Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Originally Posted by fuelboySo what could happen if you were cutting something and exceeded the tanks draw?
Reply:Why you need bigger acetylene tanks (other than having to refill more often):1/7th Rule Acetylene is disolved in liquid acetone. Its release is similar to boiling a cryogenic liquid requiring the absorption of heat to maitain the pressure equilibrium. If you exceed the draw rate the liquid cools until it will no longer evaporate. On the way it cools the container and we observe condensation and frost forming on the container surface (especially propane bottles). Thus we say it has "frozen up". To further agrevate the problem in acetylene cylinders you have the explosion prevention pumice foam fill that prevents circulation of the acetone, thus heat absorption is very slow. In propane cylinders it is common to see frost form on them but it is rare on acetylene cylinders. Generally acetylene cylinders just quit working without warning. For brief periods cylinders will deliver much more than the 1/7th draw rate. The 1/7th rule is such that you can continously draw gas from the cylinder until it is empty. At the draw rate you theoreticaly have 7 hours of fuel at a nominal temperature (I'd guess 70°F or 21°C). So in cold conditions the rule may be a 1/10th rule or in very hot conditions a 1/5th rule. . .WARNING!Acetylene is dissolved in acetone in th porous filling of the tank. It is NOT stored as a compressed gas, because if that is done it can/will explode at any pressure above 15 psig. If you draw more than the 1/7 of the cylinder size per hour, acetone from the tank is drawn out and may damage the regulator, hoses and seals. The flame will sputter. If too much acetone is removed, the tank can explode when subjected to rough handling after use. Acetylene is a dangerous material and needs to be handled with respect.From:  http://www.anvilfire.com/FAQs/gasfacts.htmLast edited by PilotDan; 09-10-2009 at 09:07 AM.Reason: added linkEsab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:Another option is to use propane to cut and acetylene to weld.  Cutting takes the most fuel and a lot of the hazards with acetylene are reduced with propane.  Another benefit of propane is that relatively small volumes last a long time cutting, however it does not weld very well. The down side is that you will have to have another cylinder laying around but if you own a barbecue you already have one.
Reply:I had been thinking of that options as well, especially since I have extra tanks (bbq, turkey fryer, etc.).  At the community college where I took my TIG classes, we used propane/oxygen for all of our cutting - 3/8" plate and no problems at all.  School uses it because it is much cheaper than Acetylene.  Besides, I have a MIG and TIG for any welding duties.Is there still an issue with exceeding flowrate on a propane tank or is this just an acetylene issue?Guy at my LWS told me today that if I did purchase say, the small Victor set with the portable tanks, if I stuck with just the torches and tips that come with the set I shouldn't have any issues whatsoever in exceeding the draw on the tank.  Just an issue if a torch is swapped out with a larger one.FuelBoy-----------Lincoln SP-135 PlusLincoln Precision TIG 225
Reply:WOW!I am very happy to read and learn from this thread. the whole 1/7th rule and the condensation thing i did not think would happen. i was thinking of buying a small oxy/acet  setup, but now i will go w the big bottles( the ones up to your chest ). and also seems very annoying to go back and forth from your LWS to refuelTHANKSJordan
Reply:Originally Posted by fuelboyGuy at my LWS told me today that if I did purchase say, the small Victor set with the portable tanks, if I stuck with just the torches and tips that come with the set I shouldn't have any issues whatsoever in exceeding the draw on the tank.  Just an issue if a torch is swapped out with a larger one.