The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Need Advice on used set of regulators/torches

I have a chance to buy a regualtor & torch set that was purchased new, but saw very little useage. I think the make is Victory. The guy took the new hoses for another rig and I would get the used hoses, but everything else is there.

I can check Ebay and make sure the price is fair, but there are several things I'm wondering that I didn't ask the guy about.

Are regulators made to fit certain bottle sizes? I really don't think I need the standard big bottles and I'd rather have smaller ones to save space. Is it normal to buy regulators without bottles? Are hoses a large or small cost of the set? I'll probably look on Ebay for that too and also call a few welding shops.

Eric,

Good move...I hope the price is right. All regulators will fit any bottle. Small "owner" bottle can be purchased for a reasonable price from your oxygen/gas distributor, then all you pay for is a refill.

Regulators can be single stage or two stage. Most home shop styles will be single stage which is entirely adequate. Regulators of this size limit the flow, so giant rosebuds can't be used, but large heating tips can. Again, this is all you would ever need.

New hoses would be the way to go...they are cheap and will guarantee you have no holes. I would recommend flashback valves too.

Your new find could be "Victor", but with the clone import market the way it is, Victory might be a offshore brand too.

Good luck with your new toy!

Stuart

Check McMaster for price comparisons. They carry Victor equipment. Hoses vary in price from $17 to $175 for the twin hose, depending on length.

they have some older reg that need a adapter to fit modern acc or propane bottles. i have a old victor that has a female threads instead of common male, for fuel gas that is. i think there is another variation as well but if it's seen little use i'm sure it will fit. i would look around for used bottles. also depending on what you will be using it for, mabey check into propane instead of acc. if you will be doing a lot of cutting it will save some serious $$. also i would consider the long hoses, you will thank me for this if you use it a lot. i have one small rid for my truck and you will always need to go 2' further than you have hose. i have two in the garage, one pro and one acc, and i even need the long hoses there. like for plumbing in the house or chopping cars in the back yard.

Before you close the deal check out Lowes. I bought a set of Victors from them a few years back for about $95.Now this is a small torch but everything is there.I bought my tanks back in 1968,at that time I paid $155. for the pair.Course they will be much more now,probably around $500.Most welding shops carry parts for Victor torches and gauges.

The set is Victor Firepower. $75 is too much for those without a hose, plus they look fairly dirty and used. I'm skipping.

firepower is their lower end set. if i was you i would look for a complete set with tanks and all. i see them sell for 200 to 500 complete with the tanks at auctions. i paid 100 for a complete set one time. there is one complete with the large size O2 tank at a local pawn shop for 450 here in town. you can't even buy those size tanks anymoe you have to lease them. the good thing about victor is you will be able to buy othe size cutting tips, welding tips, and heating tips easily. it's always good to get something you can add to if need be. good luck.

Hi, If you buy a used set make Dang sure that the tanks are "private" tanks. In Oregon at least, if they aren't so marked then the supply house won't fill them. The marks are not readable by a customer. Private is privately owned vs.those owned or leased by a company and perhaps stolen by an employee or someone else. TerryJ

TerryJ

You say to make sure the tanks are "Private" tanks and then go on to say the marks aren't readable by a customer. How do you go about buyiny a private tank if you can't confirm it's private. I don't want to get burned when I buy mine next year.

Hi, Easy answer- don't buy a used set up. You can have the other pieces that are not functioning as well and are dangerous. Personally I bought a used outfit years ago and it was ok. But I didn't know any better, and I was lucky. But I did ask the guy if it was a private tank & he said yes, and I wrote out a bill of sale that said if not, he'd give me my money back. To better explain what I mean I called the local Airgas dealer (Springfield Ore) where I trade. He said: I look at the neck for the paint color, and then look for names raised or stamped. If it says ARCO or ARC it's a rented tank we own. But it could say Roxair, or Lindy, or Air Liqued, or any number of Mom and Pop companies. Airgas has purchased over 1300 of those small companies. I have a book over 1/2 inch thick full of company names that are NOT privately owned tanks. If it says Navy or Army or Coin it's OK. If it is a 125 Cu.Ft. tank don't touch it. If it is smaller or larger you will have a good chance of it being OK. Beware: If the label is gone it is useless. I said Oh,Oh. I painted my tanks to match my welder, but I did mask off the label. He says I'm OK then. He said that the info he was giving me was national. He just had a guy bring a tank in that he gotten in New Mexico, and before he would fill it, he (the Airco guy) actually called the place in New Mexico to confirm that it wasn't theirs. If you really get an unbelievable deal I guess I'd say check it out, but first, go down to your local supplier and have this same discussion with them. Also ask them if they would recommend buying used equipment. Of course they want to sell you new stuff, but they will also tell you scary stories about very bad things happening with old equipment. Good luck. TerryJ

if they are stolen by an employee and marked sold you are ok! just kidding. most everyone who is selling the tanks will know if they are owner tanks or rentals. sometimes they have the word SOLD stamped into them sometimes it is a triangle and series of stars. if you feel you can't trust the person you are getting it from just ask to run them by your local welding supply and they can tell you. most people will be upfront with you. if you get a chance to get one of the large O2 bottles buy it. you can't buy them anymore they will only let you lease them. so if you are going to own them you have to buy them from a individual. and they are the cheapest to refill. someone else may know more about telling. i just bought a large full argon bottle today for $65, i am excited.

I'd make sure it is a Victor or other good name brand, I'd steer clear of the off-shore stuff. I bought an off-shore set a few years ago and the oxygen regulator was bad after being stored over winter. The seals had hardened and replacement parts could not be found. You get what you pay for.

I used the victor gauges and also own my tanks. The tanks have a clean unmarked neck. At least thats the way things are done here in New Jersey. After around 5 years or so to have the tanks filled a hydo test needs to be done. Also a word to the wise is never use oil to lube the fittings on the tank gauges. Do know why but I have been told its dangerous. I also use lead hoses with quick disconnects. The lead hoses are smaller and around 10 foot long. The are lighter and make working with the torch easier to hold and handle... and be use to use spark arrestors or the proper check valves to elimate dangers.

Because oxygen under pressure reacts violently with oil or grease. Never use oil on gauges or regulators for oxidizing gases.