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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."

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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.


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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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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


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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


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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.


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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."

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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.


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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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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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Keep it. If nothing else you can make hellacious balloon bombs for the 4th of July.

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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

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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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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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Be sure you have a set of tip cleaners.


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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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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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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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Absolutly Keep!!!


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Originally Posted by wabigoon
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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