interested in getting a torch setup, to those of you who have them, what companies do you prefer for regulators and fittings? are hoses pretty much all the same? thanks.

 

Well it goes with the price, a 500$ regulator will work better than a 100 $ one,
I got a cheap regulator from the nearest welding stuff store, I think it's Vicker or Parker I don't remember for shure though, it goes pretty well. I suggest that you dont spend more than 1000$ canadian buck for the whole setup unless you plan on doing big work with it.
mine cost me 700$ and I still rent the O2 tank, like 60$ per year and 50$ each fill, but she is freacking big though. for the hose, it all depend on you need. the one they sell in bulk pack is good enoug for me, as long as you don't buy the cheap canadian Tire one you'r ok. just don't buy too long for nothing because you will loose some gas for nothing each time you will use the set .

hope this help,
kranked.

 

there is a setup on ebay for about $100 US shipped, includes handle, regulators, flashback protectors, 15 feet of line, tips, cleaners, everything but the tanks. the guy is selling them out of florida, and is selling a lot with no negative feedback. i am looking to start making front crossmembers, so i will need to handle about 1/4 thick material in one pass. this is not too much to ask of the proper tip.

 

Talk to your local welding shop and ask about the following items;

1. what is the selection of tip sizes and do they have them in stock?

2. are the regulators "re-buildable"? who does the rebuilding? (does it have to be sent back to Taiwan?)

3. is there a cutting torch attachment?


What I'm getting at is the thing going to do EVERYTHING that you want and last a life time (your life time) or is it going to be obsolete in a year.

Wes.

 

are they welding torch or cutting torch,
there is a big difference.
cutting is way more costly !!

 

the kit does include the cutting attachment which i doubt i will use much. i am more interested in oxyacetylene welding. i would also like to price out some stick welders, that may be a little more practical.

 

just a question...I don't know anything about welding btw

Why would you need to use a oxyacetylene welder rather than a wire feed mig welder

Like a weld pak or somthing

 

Find a Lincoln Electric dealer. The wire feed MIG welders can be set up to use a pre-fluxed wire rather than having to use gas. For the projects you are considering this is an excellent alternative to oxy-acetylene. You cannot use the unit to cut as it does not include that feature (plasma cutting machines are not cheap, btw). If you go with gas only-be sure to buy the best that you can afford and as others have suggested that spare parts are readily available.
Personally, I'm going to go to the Lincoln school in CLeveland early next year-before buying a machine. That way I will get the right equipment for my needs.
A final thought-do you have a very safe place to keep the gas bottles-this is really important. With an electric unit a small tank of Helium or Argon mix is not as dangerous to store or work with.

 

wreckedhatch;

I don't like to appear like I'm "lecturing" (or what other word applys) on boards like this but I've played around with welders on my project cars for years. Although I hate to admit it, I'm probably older than your dad. I own and use both a gas welder and mig welder. The gas welder collects a lot of dust.

Don't buy your welder over e-bay or the mail!! Service or additional part availability will NOT exist.

What "JC836" is planning on doing in regards to going to a Lincoln "school" is a great idea!! Several of the welder manufactures also have "demo" shows and they sell complete kits at a great price. They basically show up with a semi full of kits and sell them until they are gone. You will have to ask at your local welder supply shop when there will be a show. Be there early and have cash in hand.

After reading that you are planing on fabricating cross members, I'd recommend that you buy a MIG welder and not gas! There is NOTHING on a Honda that is of such a heavy gauge that you couldn't weld it!

For those that don't know; a MIG welder is a welder that has the "rod" come off a spool within the machine. There is also a bottle that uses an inert gas. What I use is a mix of Argon and CO2. What happens when welding is that a "bubble" of the gas exists at the tip of the welder and it's within that bubble that the welding occurs. As a result, you get a clean weld and no flux is required.

If you have the same type of welder and do not use the gas; it's a "wire welder". To do this, you use a spool of wire that is flux coated. The resulting weld will not be as clean as when doing a MIG weld!

I use a Miller MM130 Mig welder. As I recall, I paid about $500 for the complete set-up. It's about as large as I could get and still have it plug into a 110 receptical. As a result, I can bring it just about anywhere I want and have it work.

I highly recommend against a stick welder for anything like what you are planning on doing! Unless you are welding high rise buildings there is just no reason. I do have to admit that when I built the tow hitch for my 64 Chevelle (2 door wagon), I had the heavy welding done by a friend who used a stick welder.

Wes

 

i would agree and say gas welding with a torch is not the way to go.

Mig is great for fast nice welds on smaller stuff..

and stick would only be good on thicker things.

MIG is your friend