Needing new leads, hoses, and regulators. Help please.

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Hello all, I’ve been out of the welding business for a good while. I’ve decided to build a welding trailer for home use and possibly some side jobs. I recently bought a new Hobart Champion Elite (it’s still in the box/crate). I need some things and I have a few questions. 1.) I have an older set (90’s model) big victor oxy/gas regulators. Are they worth rebuilding vs buying a new set? The gauges are bad. Lenses cracked. Is the new stuff junk? If I buy new, any particular brand/model? 2.) Any particular brand of oxy/gas hoses better than the other? I’m seeing around $1/ft on off-brand Amazon stuff. 3.) I need a set of leads for this new machine. Holy hell the prices are insane! I’d like to get atleast 50ft and maybe even 100ft leads. Can you recommend anyplace to buy the cable? I can put the ends on myself. What’s everyone using these days? #2 K class cable? I’d appreciate any help you might have to offer me here. I just don’t want to buy China made junk that won’t last very long.
Reply:If you have the big Victor regulators... those are definetely worth rebuilding.
Reply:https://regulatortorchrepair.com/You won’t find it any better than them.
Reply:

Originally Posted by walker

https://regulatortorchrepair.com/You won’t find it any better than them.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Stick-man

Absolutely!!! They are the best. And yes, I agree to have those rebuilt.As far as lead, I only use www.electronbeam.com They have very high quality lead, at the best prices you will find. I'm not familiar with a "class of lead" as you mentioned K, but their lead is great. I would recommend at least #1, but preferably 1/0, depending on length, your welding amps and for how long. As far as oxy/fuel hose, I recommend grade "T". I run oxy/propane because unless you're gas welding, I see only benefits over acetlyene. As far as brand, Parker and Goodyear are top quality, and I think my last was from Anchor and it was fine.
Reply:I bought a set of Chinese oxy acetylene hoses off of Amazon and was disappointed that they were a lot thicker and heavier than my old Victors. This is not a problem when cutting but they suck for brazing.Miller Trailblazer Pro 350DMiller Suitcase MIGMiller Spectrum 2050Miller Syncrowave 250DXLincoln 210MP
Reply:AC/DC Electrical Supply (or some name like that) on ebay is probably the cheapest/best source for leads that I've found...
Reply:What welder do you need leads for? #2 is pretty small. I got some 50ft. 2/0 cables with quick couplers used from Red-D-Arc for $2/ft. several years ago. I think they were less than 1/2 of new without the couplers.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Welder Dave

What welder do you need leads for? #2 is pretty small. I got some 50ft. 2/0 cables with quick couplers used from Red-D-Arc for $2/ft. several years ago. I think they were less than 1/2 of new without the couplers.
Reply:I'd see if there are any welder rental shops nearby that might have used cable.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Trevor73402

Im looking for 1/0 leads. The machine is a Hobart Champion Elite 225.
Reply:I’m in the Ardmore, OK area. I dug around in my dads old boxes and I found a 100ft lead w/ a 10ft stinger whip on the end (Dad was a pipeliner and code welder). I guess I could always just cut that in half and have a 50ft ground and a 60ft stinger. Surely I can get my trailer within 50ft of what I’m working on.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Trevor73402

I’m in the Ardmore, OK area. I dug around in my dads old boxes and I found a 100ft lead w/ a 10ft stinger whip on the end (Dad was a pipeliner and code welder). I guess I could always just cut that in half and have a 50ft ground and a 60ft stinger. Surely I can get my trailer within 50ft of what I’m working on.
Reply:Definitely go with 50 footers. A double ground is handy too. Check Facebook marketplace and Craiglist for cable. Facebook marketplace is really becoming popular. There, you can see sellers profile. I prefer Jackson connectors. You can use 1/0 main cable, and make up a 10'/12' stinger with thinner cable and a male Jackson end. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk