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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,850
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,850 |
My dad died about 15 years ago. Inherited an oxygen acetylene rig complete with cart, gauges, torches and hoses. The tanks are out of test, but I know he bought them new, and they should be good for many years after retesting and filling. The gauges and torches are in good shape, but I won't trust the hoses.
I've never welded or cut anything ever. Is it worth the effort in time and money to get a basic level of competency? Are there better, cheaper, and easier ways to weld minor things around the place. Not looking to be an expert or make a living at it, just want to learn a new skill.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,786
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,786 |
The torch is worth a lot, the tanks even more so, maybe, I'd say if you want to, and have some projects keep it.
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o "May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,173
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,173 |
Handy rig to have for heating and bending stuff. Or loosening rusty bolts and nuts. You could likely learn to braze or gas weld enough to fix a leaky exhaust pipe or something simply by watching YouTube vids. I’d keep it around if you like to tinker at all.
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 9,908
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 9,908 |
What brand are the torches and gauges? Victor or Smith's are definitely worth keeping- - - - -some of the imported Victor knockoffs are pretty much junk. I learned to cut and weld with Acetyline about 60 years ago, and it's been a very useful skill. You can also solder and braze, thaw frozen pipes (metal ones!) and do a lot of other chores not directly associated with metalworking. I have had a torch as part of my basic shop equipment since the 1960's- - - - -can't imagine being without one! Jerry
Ignorance can be fixed. Stupid is forever!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,933
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,933 |
I inherited similar from my Dad, I don’t use it often.....but, I’m darn glad to have it. In a few years......it will be handed down again! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,356
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,356 |
Keep it for sure.
I have a nice plasma cutter, but would not trade my torches for anything.
Non ferrous is nice with the plasma cutter......but thats about it.
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,850
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,850 |
Gauges are from a local company General Air in Denver. They are marked Made in the USA. The torch is "Firepower" also made in the USA.
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,356
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 60,356 |
Nothing wrong with that stuff.
Check your hoses. They may be just fine.
The new hoses are probably better.....but they are stiff and never really soften up nice like the old ones.
I am MAGA.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,173
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,173 |
Firepower is the “homeowner” type line from Victor these days. They aren’t as nice as the more expensive models but if you’re not using it to make a living you’ll never know the difference.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321 |
Go play with it a bit until you get a feel for it. Turn the acetylene on just a bit to light the torch,...then turn it up a bit before you turn the oxygen on.
They're handy tools.
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 16,987
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 16,987 |
Keep it. If nothing else you can make hellacious balloon bombs for the 4th of July.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,004
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,004 |
If it’s something you are interested in (cutting / welding) check your community college for a night class.
IMO money well spent. You can’t buy the consumables and metal for what the class will cost. Plus the instruction to do it safely.
I taught a class for almost 3 years. Had a lot of the retired old men getting away from their wives. Not to make a career of it, just to fix their Bush hog, mail box post, deer skinning rack. Etc...
Ppl would bring it equip to ask about. Show em how it worked. Or if it was in good shape.
The industrial / hd torches & refs can be rebuilt.
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,942
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,942 |
They are practically unbeatable for cutting through thicker metals. I've shaved through iron nuts 3" wide and 2" thick that were froze up on threaded shafts without damaging the threads.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,976
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,976 |
Years ago, I took a community college course in welding. Very worthwhile. The instructor was an oldtimer who not only taught the basics of arc welding but showed us how to weld with oxygen/acetylene in addition to using it for just cutting work or brazing.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,786
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,786 |
Be sure you have a set of tip cleaners.
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o "May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,995
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,995 |
Are they owned tanks or under a lease?
If you got owned tanks, certainly keep the rig.
Edit: Ok, reread, 15 years...yeah- keep it all
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,206
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 19,206 |
I have a set of owned tanks and torches, that I haven't used in 25 years. Quit using them when I sold my last combine, and the company that I was swapping tanks with went out of business. Guy that had them made a real nice dolly to carry them in. I traded him a VCR, a Betamax, so he could watch porn tapes.....lol. As a matter of fact, I have 2 sets of torches. The hoses are probably dry rotted by now. It's still setting in the barn, guess I need to get it out and see what it would take to make usable again.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,995
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 66,995 |
lol me and a bud rigged up an oxygen tank and ran a roofing nail gun with it on a house that didn’t have an electric temp svc.
Laid about 6 squares on a big, technical dormer we had to close up before an ice storm moved in. Sure helped get the job done.
My compressor had gotten stolen out of my pickup the day before. Thought of that O2 tank.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,831
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
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Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,366
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,366 |
The torch is worth a lot, the tanks even more so, maybe, I'd say if you want to, and have some projects keep it. Look intro a welding night class at your Community College. The one I took years ago taught the basics of gas and arc welding. You will get the basics to use your torch and have a good time too ....
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