First Post :) Already have a question about a used old Craftsman oxy/acetylene setup.

admin

Hey guys. My first post. I just got into welding. I'm taking a college course on welding that I just started. Hopefully it's not rude of me to ask a question on my first post but here we go:   I don't know anything about torch setups or anything. I have a local person selling a oxygen acetylene setup. I'm trying to get started and I don't want to spend too much on a brand new setup because I'm trying to save for my first real welder (everlast powertig 200dv). But I want a torch outfit as well so I need some advice before I buy. The torch set up is craftsman (older). I don't know age or performance of it. He says everything is in working order but the acetylene adjustment knob handle broke. After some reasearch I've done on torch setups, I'm thinking this looks like the torches looks like Smith brand? If so, will I be able to use their lifetime warrenty on these things if they break?, or is that out of the question because their branded craftsman? Also, I dont think the guy has any additional tips than what are currently on the torches. He cant locate a hydro date on the bottles (but I don't think he knows too much about this stuff or what a hydro date is).  What do ya all think about this set up. Would I be in line spending 200 or less for all this? The bottles are fairly expensive alone aren't they? (by the way I won't have a problem filling them without ownership papers or anything, already called welding shop, they don't care). Also, if these aren't smith torches and regs, what manufacturer do you guys think they are, and will I be able to buy additional tips, parts, etc. for the torches and/or regs? Anything else I need to know? I plan on taking the torches and regs somewhere to get looked over. possibly rebuilt if needed?  I'm definately learning this hobby quickly. Thanks so much to all you on this forum, and look forward to spending more time here!
Reply:$200 is on the high side of fair. I see a lot of bigger sets going for around that price. Nice thing is those cylinders should be easy to exchange. Bigger sets some times you can't exchange the cylinders depending on where you go to get fills.I believe Harris made the Craftsman torches for Sears. If you do a search here you should be able to find that information. Also if you have the Craftsman model number, the 1st 2 numbers I believe tell you who the original manufacturer of the tool was. You should be able to get that list online by goggling it.Now the down side. That acetylene cylinder is a 40 cf "B" size. It's a bit small to do much cutting or heating with large tips. It is better than the tiny MC 10 cf size that comes with the small kits Home Depot sells. The regs are set up for the bigger 75 cf cylinders however. The picture shows the adapter on the reg. ( Be sure to keep the adapter with the reg when you go to exchange cylinders. I've seen guys leave the adapter on the cylinder by accident, then not realize it until a few weeks later when they go to hook things back up...) Most places will allow you to "upgrade" sizes when you go and exchange cylinders. My place just charges the difference in cylinder size, plus the cost of the gas to upgrade.That's not a bad little setup. Harris makes good quality stuff. Check the hoses for dry rot. If they look cracked or are real stiff, assume they'll need to be replaced. You can check with these guys about the reg.http://www.regulatortorchrepair.com/repairservices.phpThey do repairs and rebuilds on regs. They can tell you if what you have is worth repairing, or if it's more cost effective to replace it. They can also tell you for sure what you have if you send them good picts. I'd use the "bad" reg to try and push the price down since you'll have to either rebuild or replace it. Same goes with the hose if it looks "bad". Also assume the cylinders are out of hydro. If you do a quick search, there are plenty of threads here that will show you how to locate the test date on the O2 cylinder and you can use that to also try and get the price lowered. My place wants $20 if a cylinder is out of hydro when you go to exchange, though they seldom actually charge that since they seldom bother to look except with new customers.Edit: rereading the original post and looking again at the picts, I'm not sure if the broken acetylene knob is on the reg, or the torch. Reg and Torch Exchange can hook you up either way..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 started out with that same set in 1970.  I doubt it was Smith, but who knows.  The negative are the fqact that replacement tips are scarce and expensive.  Also, the torck handle is too bulky, and the cutting head mixing tubes will bend when you try to loosen or tighten the tip nut.  I can't tel from your picture if it is single stage or 2 stage.  Mine was 2 stage.
Reply:That oxy bottle has a company name on the neck ring. It is possible that the supplier will keep it and offer to rent/sell you another one. Best way to do it is meet at the LWS and find out what it will take to swap the cylinders.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Thanks for the replies so far. Sorry if I made it sound like this is being sold for 200, but the guy said he would accept 130 dollars for this stuff. I'm not sure if I should just buy this for the tanks or not? I'm kinda stuck on Smith brand (guess its the lifetime warrenty and the fact they have a good reputation). But yes, if the tips are going to be hard to find and expensive (whats expensive?) then I think I'll pass this up unless you all tell me I should just buy this because this is a good deal for the tanks.-Then again I'm still hearing things about the tanks getting refilled might be a problem.
Reply:Doesn't look Harris to me, I think that is old school Smith stuff there. Do the cutting tips have to be unscrewed after you remove the tip nut? That's Smith. Harris has a flat top cutting tip. Hope this helps.
Reply:I know about as much as you about torches. I have a nice setup with a Smith and a Harris torch but I bought it from a friend.Can't really tell you the bottles are worth it until the LWS tells you they will swap them. Don't even have the test dates to know if they are current.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Okay so whether this of set is harris or smith, is the tips going to be hard to come by ? And how much is expensive for these tips?  This prob wont be a good first torch for me if parts will be hard and expensive to source. So is that pretty much standard for all older torches that it is hard to get parts and tips?  Thanks.
Reply:Originally Posted by outdoortOkay so whether this of set is harris or smith, is the tips going to be hard to come by ? And how much is expensive for these tips?  This prob wont be a good first torch for me if parts will be hard and expensive to source. So is that pretty much standard for all older torches that it is hard to get parts and tips?  Thanks.