new set up

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looking for a complete o/a setup     very little cutting  most of that will probably be less than 1/2 inchhave focused on the meco midget (no cutting torch for that one)  the smith aw1a  or the henrob (have seen a guy use one)the henrob is probably the least likely but who knowsi have already been told here (weldgault)that the two stage regulator might not be the way to go but it seemed to be related to cutting more than anythingi didnt mention that in my intro   sorrymost of my plans (mainly due to the kind of scrap stuff i have to practice on) are for thinner stuff   sheet metal  copper sheet  bike frames etc  all less than 1/4 inch    soldering  brazing  weldingdoes that change anything concerning the use of the two stage regulators
Reply:You don't need the more expensive two stage regulators for what you are trying to do. I bought a set of single stage Victors in 1970 and my son is still making a living with them today. The oxygen regulator had a couple of seats and a cap o-ring replaced before I gave them to him a few years ago. I've also had a set of two stage Victors that I've used for almost 30 years. A bit of advice, buy the best stuff you can afford, preferably something that your local welding supply carries. That way when you need a tip or a part you can just walk in and buy it. No need to have to order something and wait on it. My personal opinion is if it doesn't have Victor on it I don't want it. But you know what opinions are like.
Reply:thank you for the reply     for once in my life i do have the money to get the good stuff    that is another reason i was asking about the two stage regulators    i can actually afford them right now   another  thing i forgot to mention is that i am trying to buy all american madethis presents a real challenge  just cant seem to make myself buy any of the complete kits at the local places that would be perfect for me right now because of where they are made   must be my age i have been shopping all the local stores & almost everything they carry is either made in china or mexicohavent been to tulsa yet to the big welding stores thoughso as far as i know this has left me with the henrob  or the smith
Reply:I've been retired for awhile and haven't kept up with stuff like I used to but I never even heard of Henrob. The Smiths I saw a long time ago were pretty clunky. My dealer used to push Mico as the most durable and safe torch made and I hated those things. The oilfield is about the roughest envioronment you can find for equipment. By a large majority Victor is the brand used in the oil field around here. I understand they are made in Mexico now. I believe Lincoln purchased Harris but I don't know where they are made. I've used Harris and they are good torches, the large butt makes them easy to hold and their regulators are excellent. I actually prefer the Harris for aceteylene welding and brazing because they are so easy to hold.
Reply:pretty much made up my mind on the henrob 2000   also called the dhc 2000  or cobra 2000made in americakind of an odd looking thing (basically a pistol grip) i have seen a guy in a motorcycle shop use one & they do work pretty much as advertisedi think for the scale of jobs i am going to be into it is righti think i am just going to purchase the entire package & be done with itget the show on the road so to speakthanks for your replies   do appreciate itjim