I'll usually have a project i could use a tool for and think ill use it all the time. I'll get it use it for the project then hardly touch it. The kicker is when I pay more for the tool than if I just bought the thing I was making.
Tips from someone with some experience. Make sure you tighten the valve on the bottle well when you are through otherwise you may not have any gas when you try to use it next. Leather shoes can save your foot from a serious burn from slag (it happened to me.) Wear long leather gloves. The metal stays hot for a long time and it will burn unprotected skin extremely fast. NEVER weld or cut on concrete. Concrete contains a lot of water which will cause the concrete to pop sending hot pieces of concrete flying. Finally always wear eye protection. Sorry to sound like a safety cop but there is a real risk of you aren't extremely vigilant. Good luck with the torch. PS wire welders are fun too.
LOL! I love safety tips! It's funny you say concrete will pop. I learned that right on this video. My very first time trying to use it I touched the flame to the concrete and it popped and threw "junk" up in my face! I'm sure glad I had on the goggles. I do have a wire feed welder and am learning that too. This metal stuff is fun.Thank you so much Robert and I'll try to stay safe.......
+jster1963 go to a masonary supply and get some fire bricks. They build the inner chamber of fireplaces with em. You can arrange what your cutting or heating on them and they will take all the heat you can throw at them without explosive popping.
I'm not offended at all about safety advice! I love to get advice from guys that have experience. Thank you for your advice and I will take that advice. Thank you again......
As an apprentice HVAC Tech, Steam Fitter & Plumber, used a rig similar to yours for soldering & brazing copper, as well as small torch jobs, the smaller bottles surely makes it very portable. Your becoming proficient in many different trades, keep up the great work!
Joe Sangster Thank you Joe! I'm really enjoying myself in the shop! I've seen the HVAC guys use the rig you described. I talked to a couple of those guys about it. So far I love it for my home shop. Thanks again.....
I don't want to scare you, but what I'm about to tell you is Very Important - NEVER try to use an Acetylene bottle immediately after it has been laying on it's side. Acetylene bottles have a sponge like material inside the bottle, and the sponge is impregnated with ACETONE and the Acetylene Gas is absorbed by the Acetone. If an Acetylene bottle has been on it's side, remove the Regulator if attached, and crack open the Tank Valve to blow out any Acteone that may have gotten into the valve. - If you don't, as soon as Oxygen contacts Acetone (when you turn on your Torch) it will cause an EXPLOSION, and if you're not using Anti-Flashback Arrestors , it can flash all the way back into your Tanks. KABOOM ! - I'm a Union Certified Top Millwright / Certified Welder-Fabricator and I have actually seen that happen to an inexperienced person.
001DesertRat I've read that! I'm a cautious person and I researched oxy/acetylene and have seen that mentioned a lot! I'll be careful. And thank you very much......
Right , acetylene is 20% stable , it needs the acetone and internal membrane to make it safer. Use no oil around the oxy , my professor in college , who worked the ship yards in San Diego , ,lost a coworker to an oxy explosion because the torch he hooked up to use had a spider on the fitting , the oil in the spiders body set the oxy off.
Thanks for the video, and I’m glad you’re trying something new. From now on, please never use a torch against concrete. Concrete has moisture in it and if you heat it with a torch, it will explode.
Very cool, I'm a newbee too, I used a torch like 35 years go when I was a diesel mechanic working my way through engineering school. Don't remember much. this was super fun to watch. I think I'll get a kit and watch a few more videos and relearn how to use the torch. Thanks for posting.
Thank you very much! I love tools and have wanted this for some time. I haven't used it since this video, but I have it for when I need it. Good luck.....
Love the honesty of your video, linked in from another welding video. OxyAcetylene appeals for the portability.... for heating, like you said. I am not good at welding at all LOL
So PRACTICE systematically. Anyone can learn to weld, but STUDY the professionals and READ. The Oxwelder's Handbook, 1939 version preferred, was written at the peak of OA industrial welding at the beginning of the WWII era. Cheap online, totally worth it, you'll enjoy what you learn.
If you become proficient at oxy/acetylene welding, it is a relatively easy transition to TIG welding. Out in farm country, they turned us loose in the metal shop with oxy/acetylene in 7th grade shop class. Pretty sure that doesn't happen anymore. Stay safe and have fun.
Thank you so much! We didn't have shop classes until 9th grade. I had wood, metal, and auto shop. I loved them all. I want to learn to TIG weld and was hoping this might help. Thanks again.....
You are the man! Thank you so much! You are a hop, skip, and jump away from me. I'm in St. Charles. I think I've made it up your way before in about 30-40 mins. Thanks again......
You can weld thinner metal than most TIG machines will handle by using a torch. Torches were the only game in town for aircraft and similar work before TIG was invented. A good source of affordable torches is Ebay. (I collect, sell and rebuild OA equipment.) Check the Oxy Fuel threads on Weldingweb for a lot more information.
Wow, its cool to see my people on here. I'm from St Louis too! I was a fabricator/welder years ago. Anyway, its cool to see a local doing these videos. I am now a happy subscriber. :-)
Joseph Putnam Thank you so much! But I have a bit of bad news. I’m not from Saint Lewis. My family and I took a vacation there and we all got TShirts. If it helps we all loved it! We still talk about how great of a time we had. Thanks again and sorry......😬
I've been thinking of getting one of these for many years and I just decided to do some research and your video was the first one viewed, I think you did a great job and I'm inspired even more after your presentation. Thx for sharing.
If you do any mechanical work on a regular basis, a torch is a must have! Once you get proficient at using it and learn to set your regulators (I'm sure you researched it) you'll wonder how you ever got by with out one.
I consider myself pretty slick with a torch ( in an automotive garage capacity) but I also have an induction heater, no flame, which I personally think is also invaluable, especially around fuel tanks and cv and rack and pinion boots and nuts where you have to save/keep the bushing under it.
Thanks for the write up! I've been interested in Oxy/Acet for awhile and I even took a basic class to learn. I thought it might help with my blacksmithing by isolating a small area to heat and bend. Now you got me thinking of getting a set!
I've had a torch since I was 17 years old. When I first started welding that's what I used. Now I only use it to heat stuff up. Had to have the regulators rebuilt a few years ago.
A good tool to have. I'm not a pro with the torch either, but it was the first thing I learned on in high school. I have a similar setup made by ESAB. I went with a small torch because I never need to do much past 1/4 inch, and usually much smaller gauge than that.
I wanted something small too. I don't do this for a living and will rarely need it, but it sure is cool when you do! And thank you very much Robby.......
Take a class at your local community college, that’s what I did years ago. They’re fun and addictive! I ended up taking all of them, I can gas, mig, tig and arc weld now. Back then it was just around a $100.00 a semester and supply cards were like $10.00.
Learning to weld now is about 5k for a nights course about 5 hours a night for about a thousand hours. Thats with certification for a job.. Personally... I would just call some welding companies and ask if someone can teach me.. maybe i buy pizza and beer.. every day i learn.. They get fed and i learn from actual guys doing it. No way your gonna spend 5k in food and beer learning.. after a month of complete hands on training with guys that live and breathe it.. your gonna be 100x better than any night course you can take. Just my opinion.
I love the lil speech there at the beginning I believe this is the very best way to learn find something your interested in watch how it's done and give it a go. Good for you bud thanks for making this video
Thank you so much! I'm sorry I don't know how long it will last. I've only used it on these videos. I think I use it in 3 videos. Thank you again and sorry I could not help.....
Safety tip- dont let the slag drop on the concrete or weld with the piece resting on the concrete. Work away from the bottles. Use gloves. Thanks for the review, I am an expert with oxy/fuel. Bad habits will cause serious injury and property damage. Take a course at the community college.
Same way I started learning. This will be a handy well used tool in your shop. 👍 I’ll add,, with my set when I’m through welding, once I shut off my tanks I’ll bleed the lines and back off the gauges so there is no psi and the diaphragm in the gauge won’t have any tension. They’ll last longer too.
Congratulations! I just bought this kit and I got the bottles refilled. My question is how long do the bottle contents last? I started using the torch today and I tested my cutting attachment which was maximum 5 mins and I did some welding which was around 15 mins total. now my Acetylene was at 200 psi and now it's less than 100, What's going on? How long do the tanks last when you use them?
Oxy-Acetylene is great if you have a workshop and can get the big bottles and get a supplier to refill them, buying small bottles tends to cost a lot. If you are going to weld you will need flux on the end of your rod so the metal runs, get the welding area nice and hot first. Acetylene is there to burn the oxygen and keep it alight. The majority of heat derives form the oxygen, by upping the oxygen you up the heat. When it comes to costs there are other options on the market like plasma cutters and 3 in one machines. So you can weld and cut using electric.
I’m on my way back to Northern Tools now because the oxygen tank won’t bolt up to harbor freight regulator. I used to use a cutting torch at my father junkyard 38 years ago.
@@jster1963 The # 1 air tank from Northern has threads on the inside. The tank from HF has outside threads. I'm taking both new tanks to Airgas when I get home from work.
Hey, I've always wanted to buy a set, but like yourself, I have no experience but a lot of needs. This gives me a boost of confidence that I could get the hang of it and not have to take work to a shop. I'll have to bump this up on my wishlist. Thanks!
SHAKA38 I've wanted one for a long time. It would have really helped a lot on my tractor restoration! I didn't want the big one because I won't use it that much. So this small one is perfect for me. I'm glad this helped. And thank you very much......
Man i digg your laid back positive attitude about everything, thank you for the info about this rig im contemplating on getting it myself. They could have stepped their game up in the goggles department but otherwise seems like a decent setup for the everyday gearhead.
Matt Pariset It really is a great DIYer's rig. I've seen some HVAC guys use a similar torch in a store freezer. I just wanted something to heat a stuck bolt here and there. Or cut something small. This works for me. And thanks a million for the kind words......
5:42 way better flame. I’m sure you’ve found out by now but I usually set my acetylene around 7-8 then I slightly crack both oxygen and acetylene on the torch handle. When you light it you should be pretty close to the flame you need. The way you did it works but if you were ever near a wall or something nice you don’t wanna soot it up. Good video man!
I bought the larger kit about 10 yrs ago, doesn't get much use, but the regulators and torch have held up well. Think you would be happier with bigger bottles.
I have no idea how much I will use this, but so far I've only used it in this video. I love that I will be able to free really stuck bolts. That's my real reason for buying it. I love that it has the ability to weld, even though I don't have the ability yet;-) And thank you very much......
Micah MacArthur That all depends on what you're gonna use it for. The portable setups will work but are definitely not the best if you plan to do a lot of bending or cutting steel, but they are perfect for lugging into attics when you need to braze copper lines for central air conditioners.
Handy little kit. When lighting, have just the acetylene on and turn it up until it stops smoking. Then increase the oxygen until you achieve the small cone you want. The torch is much too small for welding that thick stuff. You would need a much bigger nozzle and up the pressures to suit. You also want to get it set up so you are comfortable and able to really stare right into the weld puddle, and feed the rod in. In other words you need to get close up, which takes nerve when you are learning. Keep practicing. Gas welding is a very satisfying process if you can get it right. If someone close by can spend a half hour with you showing you the basics it would pay dividends. For heating things up for dismantling etc it will be very handy. Mart.
Thank you so much! I wish I had a mentor near that could spend a little time teaching me. Maybe someday. Those are great tips on the settings and I will give that a try next time. That set came with 0 or OO tips so I do know it's light duty. I just don't know what light duty is yet, but I'm sure I will learn. Thanks again Mart.......
Wow as a 19 year old I know how to weld sorta but I was looking at buying this to cut some stuff off our flatbeds at work but didn’t know how to use it and this video was helpful
Love the fact that you are trying. I recently started welding with O.A. my self. Quick tip always clean the metal that you are about to weld. I mean really clean it sand it wire brush it what ever you need to do to get it clean. Keep burning my friend.
Thanks, I’m on the same boat. I don’t need it, but want it and I can see how it can come in handy once I have it. Thanks for your video, it was very informative for a newbie welder like me.
Thanks for the video! Ended up buying one two days ago and already put it to use cutting off some seriously rusted exhaust manifold bolts. How are you liking it two years later?
I got it to cut off rusty bolts. However, I haven't used it since this video. I haven't had to use it yet, but it's nice to have. hopefully I can mess around with it this spring if I have time. And thank you very much......
I took classes at local community collage to learn how to weld it was well worth it. The instructors were master welders had a lifetime of experience. This was way back in the 90's when no TH-cam, but even though we have that now It's still best to get good instruction on how to use these. We had a week of safety class before we were even allowed to touch a welder. Gas welders are dangerous the flame can reach 6000F not to mention your working with explosive gases. The college had all kinds of donated equipment we could use once we got checked out.
Nice little rig. You should have a fire extinguisher handy whenever you are using it. Hot metal can go flying all over the place and land anywhere. Of course you know not to have any flammable liquids around but even combustibles like cardboard, plastic or a waste basket can easily catch fire with the temperatures you produce. I've seen a few near disasters happen even to seasoned professionals. Enjoy your rig and keep your wits about you whenever you use or store it.
Pook Atim Thank you so much! Great tips! I try my best to be safe and I love it when someone sheds light on things I miss. I would hate to hurt myself with my hobby and have to miss work. I still need my real job, lol. Thanks again.....
Not a bad first time. A quick tip when cutting slightly angel the flame in the direction your cutting and it will kept ur metal hot so you don't have to stop every few inches to heat it up to cut. Great video.
Just remember to NEVER set the acetylene to 15 psi or above. Watch where the flame and sparks are going to prevent fires(been there done that). Good torching.
Love your honesty. I had to laugh at the need for new looking bottles though. This setup is great for the small time hobbyist or a trades man that has to schlep the unit around. IE HVAC repair man. Also great if you only use it once or twice a year. Other than that, you need bigger bottles. If you keep practicing your welding, you will find a need for refills far more than you want. Second, that was not a neutral flame there. A neutral flame is longer and is on the verge of turning yellow. This allows the inert gases, water and CO2, to protect the surfaces from oxidizing. The flame you had was excellent for freeing stuck or rusted bolts. Keep up the great work and I did enjoy the video. Thumbs up.
True. True and true! I have a lot of learning to do. I will work on that neutral flame. And really, I will only use this once or twice in a year. I just think it's cool! And thank you so much.......
I remember my father and his friends working on cars and using the torch to free broken bolts. I got it for that, but like that I can cut and weld with it. I don't know how to do that yet, but I'll learn. And thank you....
Run your acetylene pressure @ 7psi and oxygen 35 or 40 depending on the size of cutting tip and make sure you turn your bottles off when your finished. If you have problems with your regulators or torch you may have trouble finding parts for a H F set up. Be safe and have fun
When I first bought mine like 9 years ago I was the same way with my bottles. Now I’m like just give me a full one. When you’re trying to cut it takes a little getting used to getting everything set up. Just remember you can weld with a cutting flame but can’t cut with a welding flame. I know your just in the experimental phase but when your welding/brazing. Get all your surfaces as clean as possible. It makes a big difference. I took a 350 dollar night course at my local votech school. Intro to gas tourches. The a year later I took the follow up class. Technically I’m a certified welder,HEAVY ON THE TECHNICALLY. I can stick parts together. Learn how to do this. Then get yourself a good welder. Learn how to stick weld. My son went to a 2 year auto body school in Texas. My other son went to the Airforce where he was a crew chief on an A10 warthog. They really helped me up my game on welding. I will tell you though. Your local technical schools are A:not expensive at all. B: you learn from guys who know what’s going on and have real world experience. I might have over the last ten years have spent 1000 dollars learning basic stuff. It is money well spent! You can learn a lot watching TH-cam videos. God knows I have. There’s nothing like real world get your hands dirty on the job experience. Besides, where I work now reimburses me for any class I take that is in the technical fields. Yes I got to pay up front. As long as I make a C or better technically they pay for it. I’m not sure where you work but I know every company I’ve ever worked for has had the same type of program. I’m starting an intro into machining work in October. I’m going to buy me one of the small harbor freight lathes and then take my class. If I enjoy it. I’ll take the second and third class. Then I might buy me a small milling machine and do the exact same thing. I look at it as an investment. Education especially documented education can open forts you might not ever thought of. Either way. Great little set up. I had to build a new carrier for mine. I carried it in the back of my truck for years. Eventually the sun took its role on the plastic and it fell apart. I brazied my one together with 3/16 inch aluminum diamond plate stock. It still sets in the bed of my truck. Right next to my generator and my older model ac/dc harbor freight welder. I got smart this time though. I bought a camper top for the bed of my truck. It may all be harbor freight equipment. But I can’t tell you the number of times I have fixed people’s stuff for them in the field. Just an example. My cousin called me the other day. He farms about 650 acres of corn and beans. He had busted a connector on one his irrigation pipes. He has all the equipment to fix it at his shop. But those pipes are about 100 feet long and he would have lost a full days work dragging a trailer out there loading the section of pipe, which is still under warranty, onto his trailer, take it back to his shop which is about 4 miles away, braze the part back together, then haul it back out there and set it back up. Just on a lark stopped by to just shoot the breeze with him. He had called the warranty person to come out to fix it. That section of pipe was going to be down for about 4 days. He was going to have some thirsty beans on those 15 acres. I said hell I can try to use my stuff to braze it back together to get him through until the warranty guy came out to replace the coupler. It wasn’t the prettiest job in the world. We forgot to pull the rubber gasket out of the coupler before I heated it up and filled in the crack in his coupler. I did have a tube of RTV in my tool box though. Yes it did leak some no it was not pretty. But it got his water to his beans. He said the warranty guy was impressed that we had brazed a cat iron fitting. To be honest so was I. Just stuff like that seems to always pop up though. He’s my cousin, and he has always helped me with anything he could. It was nice repaying the favors he’s done for me. We set around after we got it working and drank a few beers. Shot the breeze a few hours. I was telling him that I was going to be putting a steel roof on my house in the spring of next year. He gave me a card of a local guy that had built his barn and said that the guy owned him a favor. I had the guy come out and give me an estimate. He came in about 1200 dolls cheaper than everybody else. Just because he owed my cousin a favor.
It's always good to help someone especially family. That's what family is for. And you really make a good point about school. I plan to retire in 3 years and hopefully I can do classes. Great point about real world training. Right now I just don't have the time to go to class. It's so cool that your son was a crew chief on the A10. Crew chiefs are worth their weight in gold! He will be able to work anywhere he wants when he gets out. Thank you for all of you info! I hope to get more proficient soon. Thanks again and take care......
1:35 It is a compression fitting - so not tape or any other sealer. The seal is made by pressure metal to metal. 6:15 that is the brazing tip - not for cutting and a smaller more controlled flame - for brazing.
So how much time did u spend screwing around and how much oxy/acetalene did you consume. I just bought a kit. But having the old second thought after a wing it purchase
Steve Comtois This was the only time I used it. I haven’t had time to play around with it and I haven’t needed it yet. I plan to work on my 1987 trans am and will probably use it to free stuck nuts and bolts. I knew I would not use it a lot, but I’m happy I have it....
I fab for a living. You’re not bad for a noob. Laughed ab the price tag tho. $300 is pretty cheap if you see the price a shop pays. Anyways, cool vid. You seem like a cool guy. I really enjoyed watching.
Justin McDonald Thank you so much Justin! I love hearing from experts. You deal with this in the real world. For a hobby guy like me that just likes cool tools, this is fine. I’ll use it to free a stuck bolt or cut a small piece of metal. Anyway, thank you again.....
I bought the torch, gauge set in the black carry box a while ago, ($50 back then), and renigged when I found out how much ox & actylene bottles would cost me. So I went back to angle grinders and such and this vid reminded me to sell the unused kit. How about $40? It all looks quite nice and sufficient according to my past years of cutting, welding, and brazing working for John Deere. No hoses or tanks; just the head kit aforementioned.
Gary Chandler It does cost a lot if you’re going to use it all the time. I’ll just use mine to heat a stuck nut or bolt. I’ve only used it in this video so far. So I will rarely use this. And I think that’s a great price for someone looking for a small rig. Thank you and good luck.....
Great job. Good info. I haven't read any comments, so I don't know if anyone else has told you... Although I've never tried it myself, but I'm 99.9% sure that butter cant cut anything. But it sure is good on biscuits or pancakes or waffles. All jokes aside, I'm like you, when I see an interesting tool that I've never used, I just have to get it & invent a project to use it on. In fact, I tell everyone when we go to a supercenter, keep me away from the tool isles or I'll end up with a mortgage. & shoes... keep me away from the shoe isles too. Hah.
Cool review, I'm like you, I see something I don't really have a use for but want it. I then buy it and play with it and usually end up being pretty good at using it.
The best tip i can give for geting a neutral flame is to get your oxy flame to look like a feather then with your goggles on bring up ur air till the 2 iner cones of the flame come tougher. Thats the sweet spot and thats the part of the flame you weld with. Thats what i was though in school.
I'm looking into getting one because I need a way to cut 1/2 Inch plate and 1/4 Inch plate. All I have for metal cutting at the moment is my angle grinder and my chop saw.
I’ve cut 1/4” with it but not 1/2”. It should be able to do that. I don’t know how much gas it uses either. Try to check with someone that cuts plates with oxy/acetylene and see if it will work for you. Good luck and thank you.....
Trd- kp61 Empty! It’s considered dangerous to have those tanks full in a store. You have to get them filled at welding shops or special gas places. Good luck.....
That's cool how you just try new things. I did that with my e-bike build. I've used torchs for 30 years and then used Propylene which is hotter and last longer but you need the torch rig for that. But I'm thinking to use a plasma cutter instead. Their a little more harder to work with but all you need is the plasma cutter with a air compressor. No gas needed.
When you’re cutting use a quarter turn fuel and a half turn oxygen. I’m a ship fitter so I cut with torch’s on 2in plus steel all the time and when I use that it cuts smooth, my pressure usually stays at 40-80 oxygen depending on thickness and 20 propane. But acetylene heats up faster so you probably need less
I don’t know anything about any of this but was just looking at a Lincoln Port A Torch on OfferUp. This looks identical to the Lincoln except it’s red. The Lincoln is black. Currently the Lincoln is actually a little cheaper at Lowes. Weird, thats for sure. Great vid, thanks!
i have used a torch most of my life,i would get a good pair of flip up goggles and even a tinted face shield. i would bet its the same set home cheapo sells as lincoln for alot more
i have watched some of your lathe videos and some of the allis chalmers. i have a craftsman 109 lathe and a collection of old garden tractors,i have videos of some of the stuff i am working on
roger oconnor The HF torch is not the same as the one from Home Depot/Lowes. The "Lincoln Electric" torch kits are made by Harris, and I'm pretty certain the tips are not interchangeable with the HF kit. I think the HF kit does take Victor tips though.
I strongly agree. We use light tinted Jackson face shields for torch work and they are very comfortable. I use a hard hat mounted shield because it's more comfortable than the headband style and because sparks and spatter bounce. Wear clear goggles beneath your face shield. Goggles alone don't protect your face, and shields alone are inferior eye protection.
You skipped over the part where you have to assemble the regulators. I bought this kit yesterday. Its price is presently $329. I actually paid $244 total for this kit, a cordless drill, a box of nuts and bolts and four welding corner magnets. They obviously applied some sort of discount. My main issue is that the acetylene tank did not come with a wrench. I see that your bottle has a knob on it but the one in my kit had none and no wrench. I exchanged for a full tank at the welding shop and it also had no wrench and the shop had no wrench and neither did my local auto supply. I had to order one online. Harbor Freight doesn't even sell a wrench for the acetylene bottle in its own kit!
eyeball My regulator came pre assembled. I’m not sure why you had to assemble yours. They have probably changed since I bought mine. I’m sorry you had problems with yours. And good luck.....
What company did you get the bottles filled at? I've seen reviews for this torch that said the bottles aren't DOT rated so Airgas wont fill them. I want to get one but not if I cant get the bottles filled anywhere.
Nick Sluder I got it filled at a local welding supply company. Airgas will fill these too, but they have to be marked correctly. I bought mine in person and I checked them when I got home. Also, HF will exchange them if they are non-compliant. Good luck.....
@@jster1963 thank you much! I called them earlier and they did say they were rated and marked correctly, but they dont come with flashback arrestors so I want to make sure I can find some that will fit that torch before purchasing it. Dont wanna chance being blown up haha
I've got tig and mig everlast welders and have been looking for a good oxy-fuel setup. I've always wondered about the quality of the harbor freight kit.
I heard that too. But it was the old tanks that were not marked correctly. I had no problem getting mine exchanged. They checked the markings and exchanged them on the spot. I heard if Airgas doesn't like the markings, then HF will exchange the tanks for you. Good luck.....
Hi Jster, You'll love what this can do, maybe less when it comes time to refill... $$$$ lol As for pressure, you can normally set acetylene from 5 to 7 pounds, and oxygen from 15 to 25 pounds, probably around 20 in your case it should cover it all... Good safety item to get are sparks arresters or those one-way valves to help with reverse flow in the hoses... mostly if one of the tank gets low and you didn't pay attention. Never let the acetylene go under 40 psi or oxygen may eventually get into the acetylene tank, you know the rest... Cutting with those is very costly, it's using lots of oxygen... Have fun and watch your frills at the bottom of your fancy jeans, I remember putting off the fire on a couple of guys legs... :) Also, make certain that your insurance company covers welding equipment, I had to deal with that issue myself... Cheers, Pierre
Insurance company and welding equipment?? That never crossed my mind. I may want to store it in my shed until I find out. THANK YOU! Also, I can see where this can cause things like my pants to catch on fire. I will def be careful. Great tips on the bottle pressures. Once again I never thought of back feeding 02 into the acetylene. That could be BAD! Thanks again Pierre........
I don’t see any on there, you need to get a flashback protector it goes into the line. If it any point you run low on pressure in those bottles, and it’s not supplying enough airflow the flame will roll back into the line and explode the protector basically stop that from happening going to drop a few bucks on that just for safety.
I think they are built in, but I'll have to read about it to make sure. If no, I will invest in safety. Why die for a hobby? LOL! And thank you very much....
I forgot something I was taught this 40 plus years ago. Looking at that setup I don't know if it will work. I was using the standard setup for oxy Acetylene. My oxy bottle was 90 cubic feet. This is still relatively small to the big bottles. The big thing is the hook up for the Acetylene. It should have a left handed male thread end on it. If the hose setup is just like mine, I have a big surprise for you. In stead of getting the Acetylene tank refilled, you can hook that up to your BBQ propane tank. Why is this important? It is much cheaper to get that filled than the Acetylene tank filled and will last longer. 2 down sides. Not as cute as your tank and heavier to move around. Second, propane does not burn as hot. Propane does burn hot enough to do most jobs though.
“Didn’t have a use for it at the time, I just wanted it”. Yep! That’s how I buy most of my tools!😀
MeanMad Mike LOL! I’m glad I’m not alone 😬
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I'll usually have a project i could use a tool for and think ill use it all the time. I'll get it use it for the project then hardly touch it. The kicker is when I pay more for the tool than if I just bought the thing I was making.
Lol
Couldn’t agree more with all of the above comments.
Tips from someone with some experience. Make sure you tighten the valve on the bottle well when you are through otherwise you may not have any gas when you try to use it next. Leather shoes can save your foot from a serious burn from slag (it happened to me.) Wear long leather gloves. The metal stays hot for a long time and it will burn unprotected skin extremely fast.
NEVER weld or cut on concrete. Concrete contains a lot of water which will cause the concrete to pop sending hot pieces of concrete flying. Finally always wear eye protection.
Sorry to sound like a safety cop but there is a real risk of you aren't extremely vigilant.
Good luck with the torch. PS wire welders are fun too.
LOL! I love safety tips! It's funny you say concrete will pop. I learned that right on this video. My very first time trying to use it I touched the flame to the concrete and it popped and threw "junk" up in my face! I'm sure glad I had on the goggles. I do have a wire feed welder and am learning that too. This metal stuff is fun.Thank you so much Robert and I'll try to stay safe.......
+jster1963 go to a masonary supply and get some fire bricks. They build the inner chamber of fireplaces with em. You can arrange what your cutting or heating on them and they will take all the heat you can throw at them without explosive popping.
I prefer rod but welding can be fun
I'm not offended at all about safety advice! I love to get advice from guys that have experience. Thank you for your advice and I will take that advice. Thank you again......
Thank you for the tips sir.
As an apprentice HVAC Tech, Steam Fitter & Plumber, used a rig similar to yours for soldering & brazing copper, as well as small torch jobs, the smaller bottles surely makes it very portable. Your becoming proficient in many different trades, keep up the great work!
Joe Sangster Thank you Joe! I'm really enjoying myself in the shop! I've seen the HVAC guys use the rig you described. I talked to a couple of those guys about it. So far I love it for my home shop. Thanks again.....
can’t you use propane for that
I don't want to scare you, but what I'm about to tell you is Very Important - NEVER try to use an Acetylene bottle immediately after it has been laying on it's side. Acetylene bottles have a sponge like material inside the bottle, and the sponge is impregnated with ACETONE and the Acetylene Gas is absorbed by the Acetone. If an Acetylene bottle has been on it's side, remove the Regulator if attached, and crack open the Tank Valve to blow out any Acteone that may have gotten into the valve. - If you don't, as soon as Oxygen contacts Acetone (when you turn on your Torch) it will cause an EXPLOSION, and if you're not using Anti-Flashback Arrestors , it can flash all the way back into your Tanks. KABOOM ! - I'm a Union Certified Top Millwright / Certified Welder-Fabricator and I have actually seen that happen to an inexperienced person.
001DesertRat I've read that! I'm a cautious person and I researched oxy/acetylene and have seen that mentioned a lot! I'll be careful. And thank you very much......
Right , acetylene is 20% stable , it needs the acetone and internal membrane to make it safer.
Use no oil around the oxy , my professor in college , who worked the ship yards in San Diego , ,lost a coworker to an oxy explosion because the torch he hooked up to use had a spider on the fitting , the oil in the spiders body set the oxy off.
YOWZA!! I appreciate the "heads up"! I will really be careful. And thanks again......
YW , you'll read on the oxy gauge 'use no oil " , and the dish soap you use to check for leaks , make sure it has no oil in it either.
Do not open acetalen tank without regulater or kaboom
I really appreciate your humility here. Super refreshing in this day and age, thanks for uploading.
Thank you very much!
I have had this set for over 15 years, and other then the carrying case dry routing, this thing still works great.
Awesome, Thanks!
how long does the gas last?
Thanks for the video, and I’m glad you’re trying something new. From now on, please never use a torch against concrete. Concrete has moisture in it and if you heat it with a torch, it will explode.
Thanks for the tips!
Kick ass for doing it yourself I'm a machinist and welder and I'm impressed by your go get it attitude
Thank you very much! I don't know why I'm just seeing this comment. But thank you....
Very cool, I'm a newbee too, I used a torch like 35 years go when I was a diesel mechanic working my way through engineering school. Don't remember much. this was super fun to watch. I think I'll get a kit and watch a few more videos and relearn how to use the torch. Thanks for posting.
Thank you very much! I love tools and have wanted this for some time. I haven't used it since this video, but I have it for when I need it. Good luck.....
Really enjoyed watching. I'm the same way, not an expert but I love to try new stuff with cool tools. Thanks for sharing
Ian Van Sice Thank you! I appreciate the kind words......
I appreciate these videos. I feel like this is what TH-cam should be about. No click bait. Just an honest review. Thank you again.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words…..
Love the honesty of your video, linked in from another welding video. OxyAcetylene appeals for the portability.... for heating, like you said. I am not good at welding at all LOL
I'm a total novice, but I really enjoy learning. I hope to get the hang of this someday, And thank you so much......
So PRACTICE systematically. Anyone can learn to weld, but STUDY the professionals and READ. The Oxwelder's Handbook, 1939 version preferred, was written at the peak of OA industrial welding at the beginning of the WWII era. Cheap online, totally worth it, you'll enjoy what you learn.
If you become proficient at oxy/acetylene welding, it is a relatively easy transition to TIG welding. Out in farm country, they turned us loose in the metal shop with oxy/acetylene in 7th grade shop class. Pretty sure that doesn't happen anymore. Stay safe and have fun.
Thank you so much! We didn't have shop classes until 9th grade. I had wood, metal, and auto shop. I loved them all. I want to learn to TIG weld and was hoping this might help. Thanks again.....
I'm fairly local to you (Crystal Lake). Any time you want to try TIG welding, just let me know and I'll be glad to help.
You are the man! Thank you so much! You are a hop, skip, and jump away from me. I'm in St. Charles. I think I've made it up your way before in about 30-40 mins. Thanks again......
You can weld thinner metal than most TIG machines will handle by using a torch. Torches were the only game in town for aircraft and similar work before TIG was invented. A good source of affordable torches is Ebay. (I collect, sell and rebuild OA equipment.) Check the Oxy Fuel threads on Weldingweb for a lot more information.
Ob Fuscated I need a oxy acetylene kit for HVAC, can I get away with not using acetelyne some.way?
Wow, its cool to see my people on here. I'm from St Louis too! I was a fabricator/welder years ago. Anyway, its cool to see a local doing these videos. I am now a happy subscriber. :-)
Joseph Putnam Thank you so much! But I have a bit of bad news. I’m not from Saint Lewis. My family and I took a vacation there and we all got TShirts. If it helps we all loved it! We still talk about how great of a time we had. Thanks again and sorry......😬
I've been thinking of getting one of these for many years and I just decided to do some research and your video was the first one viewed, I think you did a great job and I'm inspired even more after your presentation. Thx for sharing.
Thank you! I hope you like yours....
If you do any mechanical work on a regular basis, a torch is a must have! Once you get proficient at using it and learn to set your regulators (I'm sure you researched it) you'll wonder how you ever got by with out one.
I will def do research and try to get proficient! And thank you very much!
I consider myself pretty slick with a torch ( in an automotive garage capacity) but I also have an induction heater, no flame, which I personally think is also invaluable, especially around fuel tanks and cv and rack and pinion boots and nuts where you have to save/keep the bushing under it.
Newb that hasn't welded or used a torch myself, THANK YOU SIR for your review on this!
Thank you Sir!
Love this for the fact that you're no pro and honest about it. Just learning like the rest of us
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the write up! I've been interested in Oxy/Acet for awhile and I even took a basic class to learn. I thought it might help with my blacksmithing by isolating a small area to heat and bend. Now you got me thinking of getting a set!
You need one! It heat up metal FAST!! And thank you very much.......
I've had a torch since I was 17 years old. When I first started welding that's what I used. Now I only use it to heat stuff up. Had to have the regulators rebuilt a few years ago.
Sweet! I can't wait to try to weld for real. And thank you very much!
jster1963 I first started welding in high school metal shop class 28 years ago. Back then I only got to stick weld and gas weld. No mig or tig.
A good tool to have. I'm not a pro with the torch either, but it was the first thing I learned on in high school. I have a similar setup made by ESAB. I went with a small torch because I never need to do much past 1/4 inch, and usually much smaller gauge than that.
I wanted something small too. I don't do this for a living and will rarely need it, but it sure is cool when you do! And thank you very much Robby.......
Take a class at your local community college, that’s what I did years ago. They’re fun and addictive! I ended up taking all of them, I can gas, mig, tig and arc weld now. Back then it was just around a $100.00 a semester and supply cards were like $10.00.
Great advice! And I would love to, but I just don't have the time. I plan to take some courses when I retire. And thank you very much.....
Learning to weld now is about 5k for a nights course about 5 hours a night for about a thousand hours. Thats with certification for a job.. Personally... I would just call some welding companies and ask if someone can teach me.. maybe i buy pizza and beer.. every day i learn.. They get fed and i learn from actual guys doing it. No way your gonna spend 5k in food and beer learning.. after a month of complete hands on training with guys that live and breathe it.. your gonna be 100x better than any night course you can take. Just my opinion.
I love the lil speech there at the beginning I believe this is the very best way to learn find something your interested in watch how it's done and give it a go. Good for you bud thanks for making this video
Thank you so much! I do my best learning from doing. Thanks again.....
I bought this set to use for jewelry making. I'm done stting it up and getting ready to use it. Thanks for your informative video!
Awesome! I hope it works well for you. And thank you very much…..
Video was very informational. Thank you for that. How long should these size tanks last when used for cutting?
Thank you so much! I'm sorry I don't know how long it will last. I've only used it on these videos. I think I use it in 3 videos. Thank you again and sorry I could not help.....
I'm in the same boat as you, great video, and great comments! Love to learn, plus I don't like depending on others. If nothing else, to know.
I hate depending on others, and thank you very much....
Safety tip- dont let the slag drop on the concrete or weld with the piece resting on the concrete. Work away from the bottles. Use gloves. Thanks for the review, I am an expert with oxy/fuel. Bad habits will cause serious injury and property damage. Take a course at the community college.
Jon Pihl Excellent tips! I would love to take a course at the local college, but I have too much on my plate right now. And thank you very much.....
My left knee has plenty scars from slag hitting the floor & coming to a rest between the ground and my knee
I bought mine for the same reason you did. Not that I needed it I just wanted to play with and minor jobs. I love it. I would highly recommend.
Awesome. Me too, and thank you.....
Same way I started learning. This will be a handy well used tool in your shop. 👍 I’ll add,, with my set when I’m through welding, once I shut off my tanks I’ll bleed the lines and back off the gauges so there is no psi and the diaphragm in the gauge won’t have any tension. They’ll last longer too.
Great advice! Thank you very much....
Thanks for that, I'm a scrapper and have been thinking about a torch for while
Thank you! I hope you like yours.....
Congratulations!
I just bought this kit and I got the bottles refilled.
My question is how long do the bottle contents last?
I started using the torch today and I tested my cutting attachment which was maximum 5 mins
and I did some welding which was around 15 mins total.
now my Acetylene was at 200 psi and now it's less than 100, What's going on?
How long do the tanks last when you use them?
I’m not sure. I’ve only used this setup on the 2 or 3 videos that I’ve posted. I wish I could help more, but I can’t. Sorry and thank you…..
@@jster1963 No worries, thank you as well.
Thanks Jster! I'm a noob at it, too. I bought a Victor kit and have just started playing around. Have fun and be safe.
Thank you my man! So far I love it but I realize it gets pretty hot! So def be careful......
Oxy-Acetylene is great if you have a workshop and can get the big bottles and get a supplier to refill them, buying small bottles tends to cost a lot. If you are going to weld you will need flux on the end of your rod so the metal runs, get the welding area nice and hot first. Acetylene is there to burn the oxygen and keep it alight. The majority of heat derives form the oxygen, by upping the oxygen you up the heat. When it comes to costs there are other options on the market like plasma cutters and 3 in one machines. So you can weld and cut using electric.
I'm so sorry I just saw this. It went to my spam folder. And great info. Thanks......
How much does it cost and how much does it last?
Really like the way your videos are produced. You seem like a good dude. Keep up the good work!
Scott Shepherd WOW! Thank you very much for the kind words! I really appreciate that.....
I’m on my way back to Northern Tools now because the oxygen tank won’t bolt up to harbor freight regulator. I used to use a cutting torch at my father junkyard 38 years ago.
I wonder why it won't fit? I hope you get it working.....
@@jster1963 The # 1 air tank from Northern has threads on the inside. The tank from HF has outside threads. I'm taking both new tanks to Airgas when I get home from work.
Nice informative video I liked how you did everything in front of the camera set up to both tips
Hey, I've always wanted to buy a set, but like yourself, I have no experience but a lot of needs.
This gives me a boost of confidence that I could get the hang of it and not have to take work to a shop. I'll have to bump this up on my wishlist.
Thanks!
SHAKA38 I've wanted one for a long time. It would have really helped a lot on my tractor restoration! I didn't want the big one because I won't use it that much. So this small one is perfect for me. I'm glad this helped. And thank you very much......
Man i digg your laid back positive attitude about everything, thank you for the info about this rig im contemplating on getting it myself. They could have stepped their game up in the goggles department but otherwise seems like a decent setup for the everyday gearhead.
Matt Pariset It really is a great DIYer's rig. I've seen some HVAC guys use a similar torch in a store freezer. I just wanted something to heat a stuck bolt here and there. Or cut something small. This works for me. And thanks a million for the kind words......
5:42 way better flame. I’m sure you’ve found out by now but I usually set my acetylene around 7-8 then I slightly crack both oxygen and acetylene on the torch handle. When you light it you should be pretty close to the flame you need. The way you did it works but if you were ever near a wall or something nice you don’t wanna soot it up. Good video man!
I bought the larger kit about 10 yrs ago, doesn't get much use, but the regulators and torch have held up well. Think you would be happier with bigger bottles.
I have no idea how much I will use this, but so far I've only used it in this video. I love that I will be able to free really stuck bolts. That's my real reason for buying it. I love that it has the ability to weld, even though I don't have the ability yet;-) And thank you very much......
Micah MacArthur That all depends on what you're gonna use it for. The portable setups will work but are definitely not the best if you plan to do a lot of bending or cutting steel, but they are perfect for lugging into attics when you need to braze copper lines for central air conditioners.
I agree with both people. This kit is great for portability but the big bottles are needed for lots of work because of volume.
Handy little kit. When lighting, have just the acetylene on and turn it up until it stops smoking. Then increase the oxygen until you achieve the small cone you want. The torch is much too small for welding that thick stuff. You would need a much bigger nozzle and up the pressures to suit. You also want to get it set up so you are comfortable and able to really stare right into the weld puddle, and feed the rod in. In other words you need to get close up, which takes nerve when you are learning. Keep practicing. Gas welding is a very satisfying process if you can get it right. If someone close by can spend a half hour with you showing you the basics it would pay dividends. For heating things up for dismantling etc it will be very handy.
Mart.
Thank you so much! I wish I had a mentor near that could spend a little time teaching me. Maybe someday. Those are great tips on the settings and I will give that a try next time. That set came with 0 or OO tips so I do know it's light duty. I just don't know what light duty is yet, but I'm sure I will learn. Thanks again Mart.......
Wow as a 19 year old I know how to weld sorta but I was looking at buying this to cut some stuff off our flatbeds at work but didn’t know how to use it and this video was helpful
Thank you so much! And good luck with yours....
Love the fact that you are trying. I recently started welding with O.A. my self. Quick tip always clean the metal that you are about to weld. I mean really clean it sand it wire brush it what ever you need to do to get it clean. Keep burning my friend.
ralph lopez Excellent advice! And thank you very much.....
Thanks, I’m on the same boat.
I don’t need it, but want it and I can see how it can come in handy once I have it.
Thanks for your video, it was very informative for a newbie welder like me.
Thank you! It's fun to have tools. I plan to use this when I restore my car. Thanks again....
Thanks for the info, the viewer comments were helpful as well. BTW, we are also in St. Louis, South County. Glad to see a video from a local guy.
marc benz You’re welcome! But sorry no. I got that T-shirt on vacation in St. Louis. I live west of Chicago. And thank you!
Thanks for the vid! I'm going to pick one of these kits up. Appreciate the time you took to demo as a 'noob' to another. Thanks!
Steve Fraser You’re very welcome! Please be careful because so many pros have warned me to be careful. And thank you very much.....
Thanks for the video! Ended up buying one two days ago and already put it to use cutting off some seriously rusted exhaust manifold bolts. How are you liking it two years later?
I got it to cut off rusty bolts. However, I haven't used it since this video. I haven't had to use it yet, but it's nice to have. hopefully I can mess around with it this spring if I have time. And thank you very much......
I have to agree with you. When I buy a torch I always look for pretty bottles.
LOL! I like new stuff to look NEW! And thank you very much.....
@Kdog -- I like pretty bottles ( 36-24-38 ) too . Lol .
I took classes at local community collage to learn how to weld it was well worth it. The instructors were master welders had a lifetime of experience. This was way back in the 90's when no TH-cam, but even though we have that now It's still best to get good instruction on how to use these. We had a week of safety class before we were even allowed to touch a welder. Gas welders are dangerous the flame can reach 6000F not to mention your working with explosive gases. The college had all kinds of donated equipment we could use once we got checked out.
blastman8888 I would love to take a class on welding and I might have time when I retire. Great advice! And thank you very much.....
Nice little rig. You should have a fire extinguisher handy whenever you are using it. Hot metal can go flying all over the place and land anywhere. Of course you know not to have any flammable liquids around but even combustibles like cardboard, plastic or a waste basket can easily catch fire with the temperatures you produce. I've seen a few near disasters happen even to seasoned professionals. Enjoy your rig and keep your wits about you whenever you use or store it.
Pook Atim Thank you so much! Great tips! I try my best to be safe and I love it when someone sheds light on things I miss. I would hate to hurt myself with my hobby and have to miss work. I still need my real job, lol. Thanks again.....
Not a bad first time. A quick tip when cutting slightly angel the flame in the direction your cutting and it will kept ur metal hot so you don't have to stop every few inches to heat it up to cut. Great video.
Excellent advice! Thank you very much...….
Just remember to NEVER set the acetylene to 15 psi or above. Watch where the flame and sparks are going to prevent fires(been there done that). Good torching.
Thank you Roy! I will take heed to the safety tip. I'm not a fan of unplanned fires. Thanks again.....
15psi is the warning pressure, the actual explosive pressure is 29psi.
Love your honesty. I had to laugh at the need for new looking bottles though. This setup is great for the small time hobbyist or a trades man that has to schlep the unit around. IE HVAC repair man. Also great if you only use it once or twice a year. Other than that, you need bigger bottles. If you keep practicing your welding, you will find a need for refills far more than you want. Second, that was not a neutral flame there. A neutral flame is longer and is on the verge of turning yellow. This allows the inert gases, water and CO2, to protect the surfaces from oxidizing. The flame you had was excellent for freeing stuck or rusted bolts. Keep up the great work and I did enjoy the video. Thumbs up.
True. True and true! I have a lot of learning to do. I will work on that neutral flame. And really, I will only use this once or twice in a year. I just think it's cool! And thank you so much.......
Appreciate the honesty
I learned to cut and weld in high school and ben thinking about buying one of these
I remember my father and his friends working on cars and using the torch to free broken bolts. I got it for that, but like that I can cut and weld with it. I don't know how to do that yet, but I'll learn. And thank you....
Run your acetylene pressure @ 7psi and oxygen 35 or 40 depending on the size of cutting tip and make sure you turn your bottles off when your finished. If you have problems with your regulators or torch you may have trouble finding parts for a H F set up. Be safe and have fun
Excellent info! And thank you very much.....
Are the tanks stamped with the appropriate numbers to swap them out at the gas supplier
When I first bought mine like 9 years ago I was the same way with my bottles. Now I’m like just give me a full one. When you’re trying to cut it takes a little getting used to getting everything set up. Just remember you can weld with a cutting flame but can’t cut with a welding flame. I know your just in the experimental phase but when your welding/brazing. Get all your surfaces as clean as possible. It makes a big difference. I took a 350 dollar night course at my local votech school. Intro to gas tourches. The a year later I took the follow up class. Technically I’m a certified welder,HEAVY ON THE TECHNICALLY. I can stick parts together. Learn how to do this. Then get yourself a good welder. Learn how to stick weld. My son went to a 2 year auto body school in Texas. My other son went to the Airforce where he was a crew chief on an A10 warthog. They really helped me up my game on welding. I will tell you though. Your local technical schools are A:not expensive at all. B: you learn from guys who know what’s going on and have real world experience. I might have over the last ten years have spent 1000 dollars learning basic stuff. It is money well spent! You can learn a lot watching TH-cam videos. God knows I have. There’s nothing like real world get your hands dirty on the job experience. Besides, where I work now reimburses me for any class I take that is in the technical fields. Yes I got to pay up front. As long as I make a C or better technically they pay for it. I’m not sure where you work but I know every company I’ve ever worked for has had the same type of program. I’m starting an intro into machining work in October. I’m going to buy me one of the small harbor freight lathes and then take my class. If I enjoy it. I’ll take the second and third class. Then I might buy me a small milling machine and do the exact same thing. I look at it as an investment. Education especially documented education can open forts you might not ever thought of. Either way. Great little set up. I had to build a new carrier for mine. I carried it in the back of my truck for years. Eventually the sun took its role on the plastic and it fell apart. I brazied my one together with 3/16 inch aluminum diamond plate stock. It still sets in the bed of my truck. Right next to my generator and my older model ac/dc harbor freight welder. I got smart this time though. I bought a camper top for the bed of my truck. It may all be harbor freight equipment. But I can’t tell you the number of times I have fixed people’s stuff for them in the field. Just an example. My cousin called me the other day. He farms about 650 acres of corn and beans. He had busted a connector on one his irrigation pipes. He has all the equipment to fix it at his shop. But those pipes are about 100 feet long and he would have lost a full days work dragging a trailer out there loading the section of pipe, which is still under warranty, onto his trailer, take it back to his shop which is about 4 miles away, braze the part back together, then haul it back out there and set it back up. Just on a lark stopped by to just shoot the breeze with him. He had called the warranty person to come out to fix it. That section of pipe was going to be down for about 4 days. He was going to have some thirsty beans on those 15 acres. I said hell I can try to use my stuff to braze it back together to get him through until the warranty guy came out to replace the coupler. It wasn’t the prettiest job in the world. We forgot to pull the rubber gasket out of the coupler before I heated it up and filled in the crack in his coupler. I did have a tube of RTV in my tool box though. Yes it did leak some no it was not pretty. But it got his water to his beans. He said the warranty guy was impressed that we had brazed a cat iron fitting. To be honest so was I. Just stuff like that seems to always pop up though. He’s my cousin, and he has always helped me with anything he could. It was nice repaying the favors he’s done for me. We set around after we got it working and drank a few beers. Shot the breeze a few hours. I was telling him that I was going to be putting a steel roof on my house in the spring of next year. He gave me a card of a local guy that had built his barn and said that the guy owned him a favor. I had the guy come out and give me an estimate. He came in about 1200 dolls cheaper than everybody else. Just because he owed my cousin a favor.
It's always good to help someone especially family. That's what family is for. And you really make a good point about school. I plan to retire in 3 years and hopefully I can do classes. Great point about real world training. Right now I just don't have the time to go to class. It's so cool that your son was a crew chief on the A10. Crew chiefs are worth their weight in gold! He will be able to work anywhere he wants when he gets out. Thank you for all of you info! I hope to get more proficient soon. Thanks again and take care......
1:35 It is a compression fitting - so not tape or any other sealer. The seal is made by pressure metal to metal. 6:15 that is the brazing tip - not for cutting and a smaller more controlled flame - for brazing.
Excellent! Thank you for the info....
Great video. Thanks for the in-depth review!
Thank you very much!
How is the tank doing any issues? Is it worth the money?
I've only used it for this video. I haven't used it since. I wish I could help, but I can't. Sorry....
So how much time did u spend screwing around and how much oxy/acetalene did you consume. I just bought a kit. But having the old second thought after a wing it purchase
Steve Comtois This was the only time I used it. I haven’t had time to play around with it and I haven’t needed it yet. I plan to work on my 1987 trans am and will probably use it to free stuck nuts and bolts. I knew I would not use it a lot, but I’m happy I have it....
I'm glad to see this video because I'm a bench jeweler and I have been looking for a good oxy acetylene setup for melting platinum. Thanks!
Alamo Armed Civilians I’m so glad it helped! Thank you and I hope it works well for you.....
I fab for a living. You’re not bad for a noob. Laughed ab the price tag tho. $300 is pretty cheap if you see the price a shop pays. Anyways, cool vid. You seem like a cool guy. I really enjoyed watching.
Justin McDonald Thank you so much Justin! I love hearing from experts. You deal with this in the real world. For a hobby guy like me that just likes cool tools, this is fine. I’ll use it to free a stuck bolt or cut a small piece of metal. Anyway, thank you again.....
I was thinking the same thing but then again, harbor freight, and I mean I guess oxy acetylene flame is the same because you can’t mess up gasses 😂😂
I bought the torch, gauge set in the black carry box a while ago, ($50 back then), and renigged when I found out how much ox & actylene bottles would cost me. So I went back to angle grinders and such and this vid reminded me to sell the unused kit. How about $40? It all looks quite nice and sufficient according to my past years of cutting, welding, and brazing working for John Deere. No hoses or tanks; just the head kit aforementioned.
Gary Chandler It does cost a lot if you’re going to use it all the time. I’ll just use mine to heat a stuck nut or bolt. I’ve only used it in this video so far. So I will rarely use this. And I think that’s a great price for someone looking for a small rig. Thank you and good luck.....
Great video! On my way to Harbor Freight right now to get one. Thanks for your post.
Awesome! And thank you very much! I hope you like yours as much as I like mine......
Great job. Good info. I haven't read any comments, so I don't know if anyone else has told you... Although I've never tried it myself, but I'm 99.9% sure that butter cant cut anything. But it sure is good on biscuits or pancakes or waffles. All jokes aside, I'm like you, when I see an interesting tool that I've never used, I just have to get it & invent a project to use it on. In fact, I tell everyone when we go to a supercenter, keep me away from the tool isles or I'll end up with a mortgage. & shoes... keep me away from the shoe isles too. Hah.
J. R. LOL!! I was wondering where that was going! And thank you very much.....
Cool review, I'm like you, I see something I don't really have a use for but want it. I then buy it and play with it and usually end up being pretty good at using it.
Awesome! I'm the same way. And thank you so much...…...
You should do reviews on everything as a greenhorn cuz I had no idea how to use a torch and your video is effing awesome
The Midnight Coal Company LOL! Thank you very much.....
I’m no welder but I’m sure metal has to be cleaned to get optimum results. Therefore how do you judge when the proper steps were not taken?
You are so right! I was just seeing if I could get metal to melt. And thank you.....
Back watching again. I want one of these.
Willie Fufu Lol! They are cool....
Thank you.
The best tip i can give for geting a neutral flame is to get your oxy flame to look like a feather then with your goggles on bring up ur air till the 2 iner cones of the flame come tougher. Thats the sweet spot and thats the part of the flame you weld with. Thats what i was though in school.
Excellent advice! Thank you so much......
Would this work for HVAC welding copper pipes
Yes, but I don't know how long these tanks will last for someone using this on a daily basis....
jster1963 no not a daily user. Just DIY around minor house repairs
How To Do it This should work fine for that...
I'm looking into getting one because I need a way to cut 1/2 Inch plate and 1/4 Inch plate. All I have for metal cutting at the moment is my angle grinder and my chop saw.
I’ve cut 1/4” with it but not 1/2”. It should be able to do that. I don’t know how much gas it uses either. Try to check with someone that cuts plates with oxy/acetylene and see if it will work for you. Good luck and thank you.....
Thanks for taking the time to put this up
Thank you for the kind words....
Acetylene run it about 5 to 7 psi oxygen run it about 20 to 25 been a welder for well over 10 years and those setting always worked for me.
Excellent! Thank you very much…..
I like your style. your like me, a big kid that likes to play with new stuff!
Tru dat! And thank you very much.....
Is the oxygen & Acetylene bottles supposed to be empty or full when you buy them from Harbor Freight?
Trd- kp61 Empty! It’s considered dangerous to have those tanks full in a store. You have to get them filled at welding shops or special gas places. Good luck.....
That's cool how you just try new things. I did that with my e-bike build. I've used torchs for 30 years and then used Propylene which is hotter and last longer but you need the torch rig for that. But I'm thinking to use a plasma cutter instead. Their a little more harder to work with but all you need is the plasma cutter with a air compressor. No gas needed.
Thank you. I like trying new projects. Someday I hope to get a plasma cutter. Thanks again....
Man its hot. I like your positive energy and enthusiasm. Look like you are having fun with this.
Willie Fufu LOL! Yes, I'm having a ball. And thank you very much.....
Thanks for the video, this was helpful
I’m so glad it helped! And thank you…..
When you’re cutting use a quarter turn fuel and a half turn oxygen. I’m a ship fitter so I cut with torch’s on 2in plus steel all the time and when I use that it cuts smooth, my pressure usually stays at 40-80 oxygen depending on thickness and 20 propane. But acetylene heats up faster so you probably need less
Great info! I learn from people helping like you. People that are experts. So thank you very much.....
I don’t know anything about any of this but was just looking at a Lincoln Port A Torch on OfferUp. This looks identical to the Lincoln except it’s red. The Lincoln is black. Currently the Lincoln is actually a little cheaper at Lowes. Weird, thats for sure. Great vid, thanks!
Thank you! And good luck....
i have used a torch most of my life,i would get a good pair of flip up goggles and even a tinted face shield. i would bet its the same set home cheapo sells as lincoln for alot more
Great tips! I can't wait to try to really weld. And thank you very much.....
i have watched some of your lathe videos and some of the allis chalmers. i have a craftsman 109 lathe and a collection of old garden tractors,i have videos of some of the stuff i am working on
I'll take a look.....
roger oconnor The HF torch is not the same as the one from Home Depot/Lowes. The "Lincoln Electric" torch kits are made by Harris, and I'm pretty certain the tips are not interchangeable with the HF kit. I think the HF kit does take Victor tips though.
I strongly agree. We use light tinted Jackson face shields for torch work and they are very comfortable. I use a hard hat mounted shield because it's more comfortable than the headband style and because sparks and spatter bounce. Wear clear goggles beneath your face shield. Goggles alone don't protect your face, and shields alone are inferior eye protection.
Enjoyed watching your learning process. Thanks for sharing.
You skipped over the part where you have to assemble the regulators. I bought this kit yesterday. Its price is presently $329. I actually paid $244 total for this kit, a cordless drill, a box of nuts and bolts and four welding corner magnets. They obviously applied some sort of discount. My main issue is that the acetylene tank did not come with a wrench. I see that your bottle has a knob on it but the one in my kit had none and no wrench. I exchanged for a full tank at the welding shop and it also had no wrench and the shop had no wrench and neither did my local auto supply. I had to order one online. Harbor Freight doesn't even sell a wrench for the acetylene bottle in its own kit!
eyeball My regulator came pre assembled. I’m not sure why you had to assemble yours. They have probably changed since I bought mine. I’m sorry you had problems with yours. And good luck.....
What company did you get the bottles filled at? I've seen reviews for this torch that said the bottles aren't DOT rated so Airgas wont fill them. I want to get one but not if I cant get the bottles filled anywhere.
Nick Sluder I got it filled at a local welding supply company. Airgas will fill these too, but they have to be marked correctly. I bought mine in person and I checked them when I got home. Also, HF will exchange them if they are non-compliant. Good luck.....
@@jster1963 thank you much! I called them earlier and they did say they were rated and marked correctly, but they dont come with flashback arrestors so I want to make sure I can find some that will fit that torch before purchasing it. Dont wanna chance being blown up haha
@@nicksluder4764 You're welcome! And yes, being blown up is BAD :-)
Great video....💯💯💯💯💯💯
Thank you so much!
@@jster1963 It's great content like this is why I love...TH-cam...AND VALUE YOUR HARDWORK AND OPINION..✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿
@@patrickbroaden9820 Thank you so much! I appreciate that…..
@@jster1963 EASY WORK...✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿
Kick ass you being honest was the best thing about this video and yeah most men we buy tool we might not need then and there but we want it lol
Thank you very much!! My wife doesn’t understand tools, but my viewers do😬. Thanks again.....
I've got tig and mig everlast welders and have been looking for a good oxy-fuel setup. I've always wondered about the quality of the harbor freight kit.
I want a tig machine too. I'm not a pro, but this seems fine setup for me as a hobbyist. Thank you very much and good luck......
Its cool to have something that can cut and weld in a mobile setting without electricity. I want to pick one up for hobbies
I've only used it a couple of times, but I love it. And thank you very much.....
Great vid and channel!
Thank you so much for the kind words.....
I've heard Airgas and other gas suppliers will refuse to fill or exchange the tanks from this Harbor Freight kit. T/F?
I heard that too. But it was the old tanks that were not marked correctly. I had no problem getting mine exchanged. They checked the markings and exchanged them on the spot. I heard if Airgas doesn't like the markings, then HF will exchange the tanks for you. Good luck.....
Great review! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for the kind words......
How much was it to swap out the empty tanks for full tanks?
The only way to become a pro is by *hands-on* experience! .. Keep at it - you’ll learn all the tricks AND all of the mistakes.. Good video.
Bruce A. Thank you very much Bruce!
Hi Jster,
You'll love what this can do, maybe less when it comes time to refill... $$$$ lol
As for pressure, you can normally set acetylene from 5 to 7 pounds, and oxygen from 15 to 25 pounds, probably around 20 in your case it should cover it all...
Good safety item to get are sparks arresters or those one-way valves to help with reverse flow in the hoses... mostly if one of the tank gets low and you didn't pay attention.
Never let the acetylene go under 40 psi or oxygen may eventually get into the acetylene tank, you know the rest...
Cutting with those is very costly, it's using lots of oxygen...
Have fun and watch your frills at the bottom of your fancy jeans, I remember putting off the fire on a couple of guys legs... :)
Also, make certain that your insurance company covers welding equipment, I had to deal with that issue myself...
Cheers, Pierre
Insurance company and welding equipment?? That never crossed my mind. I may want to store it in my shed until I find out. THANK YOU! Also, I can see where this can cause things like my pants to catch on fire. I will def be careful. Great tips on the bottle pressures. Once again I never thought of back feeding 02 into the acetylene. That could be BAD! Thanks again Pierre........
Be safe and enjoy... !!!
Pierre's Garage How long do these bottles last before they have to be refilled ??
I don’t see any on there, you need to get a flashback protector it goes into the line. If it any point you run low on pressure in those bottles, and it’s not supplying enough airflow the flame will roll back into the line and explode the protector basically stop that from happening going to drop a few bucks on that just for safety.
I think they are built in, but I'll have to read about it to make sure. If no, I will invest in safety. Why die for a hobby? LOL! And thank you very much....
The shop teacher in high school told us to never put anything on the threads, especially not oil.
I got the same advice from guys on youtube. And thank you.....
How long are they last for the oxygen tank and the acetylene tank?
Leuthsamone Vichitvongsa I’m not sure. I’ve only used it for this video. I’m sorry I don’t know.....
I forgot something I was taught this 40 plus years ago. Looking at that setup I don't know if it will work. I was using the standard setup for oxy Acetylene. My oxy bottle was 90 cubic feet. This is still relatively small to the big bottles. The big thing is the hook up for the Acetylene. It should have a left handed male thread end on it. If the hose setup is just like mine, I have a big surprise for you. In stead of getting the Acetylene tank refilled, you can hook that up to your BBQ propane tank. Why is this important? It is much cheaper to get that filled than the Acetylene tank filled and will last longer. 2 down sides. Not as cute as your tank and heavier to move around. Second, propane does not burn as hot. Propane does burn hot enough to do most jobs though.
propane will work only for brazzing and not welding,for cutting you have to have a differant jet in the tourch
Awesome! And thank you very much.....
Propane burns at 1900 degrees. It will melt some metals, although not near as well as acetylene.