Gas Torches . . . . . . .

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Guy's.....give me your opinion.......Fact:  I've got a Victor medium-duty torch (that I'm very happy with).   I think it's a 100FC model. I think I'd like a Heavy-duty torch (Victor 315FC).My medium-duty torch seems to do everything I need.QUESTION:  What's the difference ?   I can change welding & cutting tips to handle anything I may come across in my humble little shop.   But, being a life-long believer in the old adage: "You get what you pay for".......I was wondering if you's guy's would like to chime in ? ? ?    Thanks..Marko.I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Very few people need large torches.  The only application I can think of is braze repairing large casting.  As for flame cutting, combination torches don't have much reach for cutting large sections.You might consider buying a second cutting torch without the option of putting on heating tips.Nowadays gas welding is going the way of the Dodo.  Local welding colleges spend two weeks on the subject while twenty years ago it would have taken up over a month of practice.I have had other, younger welders wander over to have a look see whenever I am doing some sort of brazing repair. It is a useful skill but not a requirement in large steel fabrication shops.
Reply:Lotechman I could not disagree with you more on the fact that  gas welding is on the out with younger welders. You may not see as many new welders taking on gas welding but they are out there. The collage i went to is very concerned with students mastering gas welding. It is such a fundamental part of learning welding. And people who are in the welding main stream are promoting the fundamental basics that are so important. people like Jessy James push students to master the metal working basics before the newer stuff.  Ive seen him drill a student on braising technique win the student was bragging about his mig weldingno you cant fix it with a hot pass.BORN TO LOSE, LIVE TO WIN.
Reply:Gas is on the way out, and taking the route of the Dodo; BULLSH!TThere's a boatload of people who believe MIG is going to replace O/A, and they are all in for one hell of a surprize.  The problem with most of the colleges teaching welding is that the instructors are incompetent.  Those who can NOT do TEACH.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Thanks guys.....Maybe I should say this:  I love to stick-weld (that's my primary passion)....and I DO have a little HH135 that fills it's place from time to time.   I'm a sentimental ol' fool that still thinks gas welding is something that is important enough to know how to do, and do well !   And of course, you can probably not replace the cutting torch...(at least in our lifetime)......My question still is:  "What's the difference between a heavy-duty torch,  and a medium-duty torch"....other than price ?   They will both weld plate.....and they will both cut thick plate.......Does it have to do with how many times you can drop it on the floor (and run it over with the hi-lo) before it quit's working.......or does it have to do with the gas pressure you can push through it ?......WHAT ?I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Franz.....Send me an e-mail......I lost your e-mail address  I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Marko, I think it's more a situation of how many hours a day the torch will stand up to burning than anything else.A few years back, the difference between a homeowner torch and an industrial torch were more pronounced in things like weight and size of valve knobs as well as things you didn't see like the valve seat and stem.Today, with CNC machining and assembly, those differences are probably less evident.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Franz....If you're telling me that a "medium duty" torch is just as high quality as a "heavy duty" torch .......I'll be happy.BUT...I don't mind spending the extra bucks for higher quality if I need to........  (I don't have a problem with that).I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Marko,If it's Victor, it's good quality.  Price holds up well.  I have an OLD Victor J100 handle - it's not made any more, but you can get parts easily.  I have cut 1" with it, but I'da liked a longer tube on the cutting head - got a little warm on the fingers.  I think Franz makes the point - if you're going to cut 6 - 8 hours a day with this thing, you will want the heavyest stuff you can get, but your setup is excellent.  Unless you're going into production cutting, I'd keep it.As far as the usefullness of the process, I'm glad I learned to weld with OAW.  Can't think of a better way to learn the secrets of the puddle.Be well.hankj
Reply:I know I stand alone on this one but the last time I actually used a gas welding torch to make wages was in 1984.  That shop was way behind the times as it was. I will admit that learning to gas weld and braze is valuable but not critical.  Local college programs are diminishing the time on torch work to concentrate on wire feed processes as well as TIG.Many older instructors don't like it but progessive teacheers listen to their advisor committees that are made up from local welding supervisors.  I dropped by the local welding college today and their new addition was a plasma head linked up to their NC cutting table.  These students get jobs!... or as an old Dane otld me years ago you can join the Flat Earth Society.  He was the oldest guy in the shop and plotted his ellipses with his programmable calculator on the side of tanks.Last edited by lotechman; 06-01-2004 at 09:29 PM.