new O/A setup

admin

Hey guys just wondering what you all think of this setup and maybe give me a few pointers.I started out with a Lincoln Port-A-Torch but QUICKLY got tired of swapping out tanks so I upgraded to this When I upgraded to the larger bottles I also picked up a Smith medium duty cutting/welding outfit. #3 and #5 welding tips and #1 cutting tip.Using RG-45 gas rod I do alright I guess welding butt and lap welds, but for the life of me I cant get T joints to come out very good AT ALL. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.also I'm just a weekend welder I just screw around in the garage when I have time. I like to be able to weld and repair things but don't yet feel confident enough to weld on something IMPORTANT... like the frame of a car for example  I just weld because I find it fun and really enjoy it.
Reply:Very nice out fit. T joints take more heat than a lap or a groove joint. Go have some more fun.Doug
Reply:smith stuff is nice, it blows victor out of the water in my opinion.  Theyre both high quality, but i find smith stuff engineered a little better.btw-nice looking set, but eventually your gonna want the biggest bottles they make...
Reply:Victor sucks.  Cracked my torch body before I even lit the Ace. for the first time.  Piece of junk...Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:700, please enlighten us how you managed to crack the torch body. I don't want ro make the same mistake.
Reply:Victor is, has been and allways will be the #1 selling gas cutting and welding equipment, but knowledge and practice will allow your opinion to change.   JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Originally Posted by Oldtimer700, please enlighten us how you managed to crack the torch body. I don't want ro make the same mistake.
Reply:Sounds like over tightening probably caused the crack. You know that anything you buy once in awhile you will get a bad one. I would definitely get on the phone to Victor. I learned using Victors (where I grew up that was all anybody used and pretty much still is) and have a couple of them as well as Harris and Smith. I use the Victors all of the time, the Harris fairly often (have it set up for heavy cutting and the Vic for lighter stuff). The Smith never gets used as I can't get parts for it around here (pretty much the same for the Harris). They are all good torches (I actually bought the Harris for the regulators which I really, really like). I prefer the Harris to the Victor for O/A welding, but the Harris can't compete with the Vic for steady cutting.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.