Time for a new oxy/acetylene torch set, any suggestions?

[Eddo Rogue]

Ok I got the new welder upgrade, now its time for new torch.

I do have some criteria, none of which is budget, in order of importance:

-Medium duty size
-Small gauges, not the giant ones, and ideally that show the range to set it at for what you wanna do (cut,heat,weld etc)
-Knob style adjusters, not the brass threaded T handles that always fall out and disappear.

So far I have only found one set that meets all this criteria. Most of what I find is giant gauges with brass T handle adjusters that are way too long.

 

[Josh B]

Ok I got the new welder upgrade, now its time for new torch.

I do have some criteria, none of which is budget, in order of importance:

-Medium duty size
-Small gauges, not the giant ones, and ideally that show the range to set it at for what you wanna do (cut,heat,weld etc)
-Knob style adjusters, not the brass threaded T handles that always fall out and disappear.

So far I have only found one set that meets all this criteria. Most of what I find is giant gauges with brass T handle adjusters that are way too long.

Why show the one you found so we can have something to aim at

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Why show the one you found so we can have something to aim at

Good call, this is what I found:

Victor Medalist 250 LP Med Duty Outfit-540/510LP G-250 Regs - 0384-254

The Victor 250 Medalist Propane Outfit combines the best of Victor cutting performance with uncompromising value. Comes with 510 CGA propane regulators.

bakersgas.com

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Or I should say that is the set my boss purchased for out metal shop at work. I liked using it. I will probably just go with it unless yall find me something better lol.

 

[Josh B]

That's a good looking set. I see no need in having those lines spread out into 3 layers tho. You're not in a shipyard or nothin so why not narrow it down to size instead of looks, I could see some tight spots you might not be able to attack well with that torch in hard to reach places

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Cant go wrong with Victor..... That looks like a great kit. I'm not sure what you have planned for it but That setup would do everything I needed it to do on my heavy equipment service truck.... I have those same regulator's and they work good. no real issues with them and there more compacted.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

Nevermind I have these regulators there very compacted. There smaller than the ones above. I think I have this same kit. Ive had to replace the head once, But you can buy just the torch body or the the head if something gets messed up.

Victor Performer Kit 540/510 Edge 2.0 MD (Acetylene) CGA 510 - 0384-21

Victor Edge 2.0 series regulators with an updated gauge with enhanced colored face for easy reading. Our most popular and highly rated outfits from Victor.

bakersgas.com

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Nevermind I have these regulators there very compacted. There smaller than the ones above. I think I have this same kit. Ive had to replace the head once, But you can buy just the torch body or the the head if something gets messed up.

Victor Performer Kit 540/510 Edge 2.0 MD (Acetylene) CGA 510 - 0384-21

Victor Edge 2.0 series regulators with an updated gauge with enhanced colored face for easy reading. Our most popular and highly rated outfits from Victor.

bakersgas.com

I will be doing some cutting, mostly just using heat to forge/bend stuff a little easier...and probably hardly if ever solder/braze. I have a little light duty kit for brazing and delicate work. 99% will be rosebud heating in situations that I cant just use forge fire. Mostly stuff that is more artsy fartsy than structural/mechanical.

The gauges are what has me going for this set.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Victor and Harris are the two major brands you find new these days. A lot of parts for them are easily available too.

My semi-portable set is a 70’s Sears Craftsman set. Dad bought it new as a middle of the road rated set back when. He used it little over the years and ended up giving it to me for Christmas one year since I was starting to use it for working on vehicles. I’ve had to replace the tip and one gauge (after accidentally dropping the regulator).

My big tanks have an old Airgas set, IIRC, of regulators. Big old commercial set that I had rebuilt. Forget what the torch is. I have another set of old regulators and another couple torch heads, bought a box of stuff for cheap years ago and it’s just chilling in a plastic tote in my shed for now. Only problem with the old stuff is some of it is hard to get parts for or repaired anymore, but if you care for it, it will last awhile.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

I started out with a 70s craftsman one also. lol It was so bad the body would back fire and catch fire lol It was pretty pretty scary before I just though it away. Cant get anything for it anymore. Bought a victor set and never looked back. lol

 

[Roert42]

Victor, Smith, Harris are the only brands I would really consider.

I like the Victor/Esab offerings the best.

If you are not doing any welding or brazing I would go with a bigger cutting torch instead of the smaller multiuse torch. I like them better.

https://bakersgas.com/collections/victor-torch-kits/products/victorcutter540-510st900fcedge2-0outfit-0384-2141

Theses gauges look nice and compact like what you are looking for.

Victor Edge 2.0 ESS42 Acetylene Regulator, CGA 410 - 0781-3605

Victor EDGE Series 2.0 patented regulators are changing the game for regulators! Durable, safe and easy to read gauges. Regulator model: 0781-3605.

bakersgas.com

I would be tempted to pecies together a kit to get exactly what you want instead of buy a pre done kit. For the most part some of that stuff that comes in the kits is useless anyway.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Victor, Smith, Harris are the only brands I would really consider.

I like the Victor/Esab offerings the best.

If you are not doing any welding or brazing I would go with a bigger cutting torch instead of the smaller multiuse torch. I like them better.

https://bakersgas.com/collections/victor-torch-kits/products/victorcutter540-510st900fcedge2-0outfit-0384-2141

Theses gauges look nice and compact like what you are looking for.

Victor Edge 2.0 ESS42 Acetylene Regulator, CGA 410 - 0781-3605

Victor EDGE Series 2.0 patented regulators are changing the game for regulators! Durable, safe and easy to read gauges. Regulator model: 0781-3605.

bakersgas.com

I would be tempted to pieces together a kit to get exactly what you want instead of buy a pre done kit. For the most part some of that stuff that comes in the kits is useless anyway.

That is exactly the regulator set I wanted, and found them individually.

I went digging around and found plenty of used but still good, and brand new handles, tips, hoses etc...
so all I really need just the regulators.

So yea, like you said, I decided to just piece what I have back together, with those regulators.

 

[Milkman5687]

I have the victor journeyman. Love it and comes with the type regulator you want

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Update: still shopping....looks like I'm gonna order off of baker gas.

Seems the entire torch sets are not much more than just the regulators.

But I have so many handles, tips, hoses etc....really just need regulators.

I will admit I have never had to actually buy torch regulators, and see there are many options.

I am not sure what the 540/510 or 300 etc means...duty rating?

Also I noticed there's LP, propylene etc...pretty sure I just need acetylene right?

My acetylene tanks are different sizes with different fittings (male and female). Is there an adapter or would I need two separate sized/capacity regulators?

Woe is me these first world problems....gotta do some research.

 

[Roert42]

Update: still shopping....looks like I'm gonna order off of baker gas.

Seems the entire torch sets are not much more than just the regulators.

But I have so many handles, tips, hoses etc....really just need regulators.

I will admit I have never had to actually buy torch regulators, and see there are many options.

I am not sure what the 540/510 or 300 etc means...duty rating?

Also I noticed there's LP, propylene etc...pretty sure I just need acetylene right?

My acetylene tanks are different sizes with different fittings (male and female). Is there an adapter or would I need two separate sized/capacity regulators?

Woe is me these first world problems....gotta do some research.

The numbers are related to the threads for the regulator, have to look at your bottles to see what you need.

Acetylene regulators are not interchangeable with propane, cant remember why. Hoses are different too. even the torch tips are different for LP.