Brand recommendation for oxyacetylene welding outfit

[chrispinnh]

I am gonna have to agree with the previous posts.......

My old boss had Smiths , and we always had trouble getting tips in the size we wanted . The tips were pricey if I remember right too.

Ive been doing structural steel for over twenty years and I like the Victors , they are comfortable, and parts and accesories are everywhere.

Good luck.......chrisp

[Hillbillysmith]

I use Smith at the school I go to. They are very nice, but I personally like the Victor over them all. My reason for this is I like using my thumb to operate the oxygen cutting lever instead of my fingers. (I get a better/more steady of a hold on the torch that way.) But Smith is the best on the market to my knowledge.

[welder19]

Victor is hands down the best as far as easy to get parts, quality, and will last a life time if taken care of, they cost a little more than most but is worth the $....but that's my opinion, however it is based on years of useing all brands and still have sets that my grandfather used in his body shop (Victor).

welder19

[rfdecarter]

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll be getting a Victor outfit.

[djhammerd]

Look into buying tanks from Tractor Supply Co if there is one near you. They sell the tanks and exchange for refills. Do comparison pricing with local welding shops.... They market several sizes.

[Ten Hammers]

The Henrob welding torch should not be discounted. I use one almost daily ( smith regulators and a smith gas saver ).

[Donnie]

I have used a Victor for every thing, from brazing to cutting 6" plate. I wouldn't buy anything else.

[trying-it]

Steve (Ten Hammers) is so right about a Henrob torch; I have to thank Garey Ford for introducing me to it. All the other A/O torches are great and I still occasionally use mine, but once I added a Henrob rig to my shop I noticed a massive reduction in tank refills. Just another handy tool with its own niche area. For those not familiar with a Henrob, consider checking this link:

Henrob 2000

[racer3j]

I have some Smiths. They are "vintage." Victor parts fit-tips and all. One(small size) is what some call "aircraft" because of its fine reputation among experimental airplane builders- that is what I have been told by builders. My large is marked Smith as well; same "standard" threads. That one I have rebuilt and used Victor seals. Dillon-Henrob-Cobra- invented by an Australian gent. My present one is my second. It does everything that the advertising claims. My first was before a long reach tip was offered- occasionally that was frustrating. I also own the "Little Torch." A zero tip on the Dillon( that is what I call them because that is the first brand I had) will come close to the delicacy of the "LT." I think that they cut cleaner- that might just be that I have never been particularly great at cutting. If I could make one change in the Dillon- I would have a carbon fiber or glass filled heat resistant "plastic" for the clamshell handles- maybe even stamped aluminum or magnesium alloy. My tanks are owned- the tote set and the ones that are standard diiameter but only about 3 feet or less tall. Here in Iowa we have S. J. Smith stores at five locations- main store here in Davenport. I also own my argon and 25/75 tanks- can't recall the number for those- about 7" diameter and 2 feet tall- I have 2 of the mix and just the one argon. My mig is a Lincoln SP170- it is a good little "work-pony." After all of this unneccessary rambling, I agree that Victor is the top for conventional O/A equipment.jet

[steve sells]

I love my Smith, But to be fair for comparison, its a "Little Torch" the jewelry set up, small, tiny, great for my knife work. The 3 smallest tips have synthetic sapphires for the jets and produce a flame that can barely be seen in strong light, so a very localized heat.