The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest The Henrob Torch

Less sheet metal distortion than MIG?

Ever heard of it?

Henrob 2000 torch.
Check out the "cutting 1/2 inch steel" video.
I was impressed, but, I'll admit, I don't know bollocks about torches.

Very cool. I might pick it up as an extra tool when I invest in my oxy setup.

Thanks for sharing Jim Bow.

Jim

I'm not going to go into a long winded discussion on the Henrob torch. I am only going to say from many decades of being a welding, running welding fabrication shops, building aircraft fusilages and open wheel raceing car part that you are going to be money ahead if you simply go down to your local welding supply and buy a Victor torch kit. You will be much happier in the long run. And that's all I have to say on the subject.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny,
Say a bit more. I have since learned at another site that they are primarily sold at car shows and airplane gatherings like Oshkosh.
So I'm now wondering if it requires a pitchman to "sell" the item.

Can you do the same kind of work with a highend torch?

How about for the weekend "shadetree" type.

My gawd Jim Bow, are you really asking Denny Graham to "say a bit more"! Grab yer hip boots.


Stuart

This hot weather has me so parched I can hardly speak Stu. So like I said I taint gonna say a whole bunch bout the Henrob torch. There’s no doubt gonna be, somebody pop in here that bought one at a swap meet and will swear by it, and so be it. I don’t think you'll find most pros giving it high honors.
Jim I think you hit the nail on the head. If it was such an innovation all the welding supplies would be pushing them and you would see them in all the welding shops. In a professional fabricating shop you are going to find a standard style welding/cutting torch, like the Victor set up that I mentioned, there are others I just used that as an example of a good torch set up. For about the same price you will have professional tool that you can get parts, i.e., tips, valves attachments etc. anywhere you are in the world. If you have a problem with a regulator there are repair stations located all over the US that can rebuild them.
And yes, of course, with a standard gas welding setup you can do anything that they claim their torch is best at. With a name brand torch you can get tips to weld the thinnest all the way up to the thickest, heating tips called by some a "rose bud" tip, and cutting heads.
There now that wasn’t to painful, was it Stu??
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I happen to own a Henrob, and thank goodness I only paid $10.00 for it at an auction, because I don't think it is worth a whole lot more than that.
I have a Smiths aircraft torch for the lighter work. ( it's just lighter and handier for sheet metal and thin wall tubing ) It is also handy if you are going to be welding for any period of time. It is amazing how heavy a torch can seem to be after a few hours.
For the heavier cutting, I have a larger Victor torch that I bought almost 40 years ago. I never need to use it for welding because I like the smaller torch. For most of my welding nowadays, I use a wire feed, except when I have to hammer or work the welded metal.
The Henrob has an advantage if a person is cutting sheet metal, because the heating flame is directed in one spot rather than a rosebud like a standard cutting torch. This cutting process requires that you have enough room to be able to turn the torch in the direction you want to cut (not always possible). Another feature of the Henrob that I personally don' like is that the pistol handle puts your hand close to the work, so you have to have that large bulky shield in front of your hand to protect it.
As far as I am concerned, the only feature on the Henrob that would make it worth having one, if it was a bargain, is the ability to cut without spreading too much heat. For everything else, any quality torch is just as good. I am only giving my personal experience here, so if there are people who have better ways of using these torches, I would be happy to hear them.
Bob
Bob

BigBlockCameo,

Great info, and first person too...no hip boots needed here!

Stuart

Denny and Big Block nailed it, only thing I could add is if your gonna use one wear thick gloves they get hot. If you are going to do quality work you have to have quality tools. Now I will retreat to my sand box with my rubber hammer and cast iron ball.

I own a Henrob and I've been welding in gas with other brands of torches for more than 30 years.
I like it.