What would be

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your alls pick of these 3 torches. Victor J28, Smith Versa Torch,or one I have yet to  use, the Meco. My medium duty Victor has seen better days & I have just found out, there is lighter,   easier   to use torches out there.  I have used the Henrob. It is a quality torch but to heavy for long use. With its weight & price I am not even considering it.
Reply:Wow! so no one here has a fav out of those 3?
Reply:Ok, I'll go.I have a victor and most everyone I know has a victor because they have been around forever but, from what I have seen Smith is the way to go. Since my torch was given to me, I will use it but if I continue to do more work with it then I will definately buy a Smith.They have a kit with all the tips and regulators for under 300 plus its a lifetime warranty (Victor 3yrs) and assembles and disassembles by hand. The kit comes in a large toolbox. Shop around, I would look for this kit in the 260 range. I think someone will have it for that price soon.BillOh, and I can't tell you anything about the Meco, sorry.
Reply:victorChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:Been using the same victor for over 30 years, and had the regulators rebuilt a couple of times.
Reply:Smith is, hands down, the best.  Tips and attachments can be changed without tools.  You can adjust the angle of the tip while the torch is lit.  The torches come with a lifetime waranty which also counts for lifetime service as well.  The Smith tips weld better.  There is less divergence of the cutting jet with the Smith cutting tips.  This means you can run with more stand-off and your tips last longer.  The torch cuts just as well if you hold the torch 1/4" off or 1 inch off.The light duty torch with the valves forward is neat because you can adjust it with one hand.  The handle is very small.  The light duty handles can also work with any of the tips used on the jewler's torch which means you can work some really tiny stuff.The regulators only come with a 3 year waranty, not the lifetime.I don't know the point of saying buy Victor without giving any justification.  I'm sure most of the reason is because most of you have never used anything else.  Sure, Victor works, but there is better out there and it can be had for the same price.  A lot of the new Victor stuff is made in Mexico, now, too.Last edited by 76GMC1500; 12-05-2006 at 01:37 AM.
Reply:I all ready have  a Victor 100. It works well enough. The problem with it   is the size. I love to gas weld. It is just the simplicity of it that I think draws me to it. There is also a remarkable,  surreal  peacefullness that I get when focusing on a puddle & moving it forword to complete  the task.  76GMC1500, you are not the first I have known to speak well of the Smith.I am going to purchase a Versa-Torch.
Reply:Do all smiths torches that are lifetime have it stamped on torch body? bought a 509 that was rebuilt off ebay for $40.00 shipped works very nice,but doesnt say lifetime on it.I beleve it is older torch,but looks and works like new.
Reply:Rookie, I am not for sure when Smith started the life time deal on their torches......Something I just found out is Smith offers a nozzle with screw in tips. Which makes replacement cheap